Atheana Picha is a Coast Salish artist from the Kwantlen First Nation, and her grandmother was from Tsartlip. Atheana was given the name Nash’mene’ta’naht by Gerry Oleman from the St’at’imc First Nation, which translates to “Go-getter Woman.” Born in Vancouver, she grew up and works out of Richmond, BC. She is an interdisciplinary artist, working mostly in 2-dimensional media. Atheana has been doing two apprenticeships learning Salish wool weaving with Musqueam weaver Debra Sparrow since 2019, and learning silver engraving, wood carving, and tool making with Squamish artist and educator Aaron Nelson-Moody since 2018. Atheana’s practice is grounded in learning more about Salish design through studying the old pieces, observing nature, and learning from her elders and teachers.

Atheana studied Fine Art at Langara College for three years, with a focus on ceramics, intaglio printmaking, and wood carving. In 2021, she focused on screen printing and drawing. She is engaged with public art through her mural work throughout the greater Vancouver area since 2018, and more recently with banner and vinyl mural installations. Atheana is a two-time recipient of the YVR Art Foundation Emerging Artist scholarship, and has works in the collections at the Museum of Vancouver, Burnaby Art Gallery, Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art.