John Steins

Who is John Steins?

John Steins, former Mayor of Dawson City, is an artist and printmaker who lives in Dawson City, Yukon. He is a wood engraver and makes plate etchings. The son of renowned artist Ilgvars Steins, he worked in advertising as a young man in Toronto before moving northwest in 1974. He soon settled in Dawson City and has remained there ever since, maintaining an active art practice as well as pursuing other interests.

John has worn many "hats" during his 35 years in the Yukon. He is a founding member of the Dawson Music Festival and the Dawson City Arts Society. John composed music for the guitar and produced a classic northern album called "Midnight Light" which was recorded by Daniel Lanois at Grant Ave. Studios in Hamilton, Ontario.

John designed and constructed his own house which continues to be an ongoing "work in progress". He also is an accomplished woodworker with furniture building skills and worked alongside master shipwright Wayne Loiselle in the restoration of the S.S. Keno paddlewheeler which is dry-docked on the Dawson waterfront.

A very large sculpture installation by John Steins at the Andrew Philipsen Law Court in Whitehorse was commissioned by the Territorial Government in 1987.