Keeping the old poles standing.
Totem pole and mask restoration: Jason restores historic pieces, much of it work carved by his own family across generations.
"Over the years I have restored many masks and totems. For years I did repair work for galleries in Vancouver and Victoria… progressed to doing larger jobs such as older totems… My goal is to restore the piece as close as possible to the original state."
Selected restorations.
Royal BC Museum, Jonathan Hunt House
For the house's 2024 reopening, Jason repainted the interior posts, chief seats, dance screen, log drum and welcome figure of the Jonathan Hunt House, the first repaint in the house's history.
Nootka Court, Victoria
Four poles from the 1960s and 1970s by his uncle Tony Hunt Sr. stand at Nootka Court in downtown Victoria. Jason restored them in summer 2025, in collaboration with his uncle Richard Hunt: daily work from June 30 through the summer, including archival research to reconstruct an eagle's lost wings. As he told the Times Colonist, work like this has to be approached "with a great deal of respect."
Sunnylands, Rancho Mirage
A 30-foot pole carved by his grandfather Henry Hunt in 1976 stands at Sunnylands, the Annenberg estate in Rancho Mirage, California. Jason restored it in 2010 with his father Stan and mother Lavina, and the pole was rededicated in a public ceremony in 2012.
Palm Springs city pole, Victoria Park
A second California pole, carved by Henry Hunt in 1968, stands in Victoria Park in Palm Springs. Jason and his father restored it across 2015 and 2016, working from the garage of the city's Fire Station 3 before the pole was reinstalled.
Sun mask
A weathered sun mask brought back from faded paint and surface wear to its full colour. For years Jason did exactly this kind of repair work for galleries in Vancouver and Victoria.
How does Jason restore a totem pole? Restraint first.
The work starts gently: washing the piece and cleaning off growth such as lichen and moss, then making repairs, then repainting, with colours matched against archival photographs and the original styling. In an interview with Waddington's auction house, Jason said he spends about a third of his professional life restoring the work his family has made.
Restoration questions.
What does totem pole or mask restoration cost?
Each piece is quoted individually. It starts with a photo: send a picture of the piece and Jason makes a preliminary assessment of the artwork and what repairs may be necessary, then quotes the work from there.
How is a totem pole restored?
Gently. The work starts with washing the piece and cleaning off growth such as lichen and moss, then repairs, then repainting, with colours matched against archival photographs and the original styling.
Have a piece that needs attention?
"Starting this process is as simple as sending a picture to make a preliminary assessment of the artwork and what repairs may be necessary."