Explore Collective Magazine Articles By Topic

Browse our growing collection of articles from current and previous issues of both the Comox Valley Collective and Strathcona Collective magazines by topic.

Engineering a new life at Surf Side Fungus Farm

In January 2024, the words “gourmet mushrooms” hadn’t left the noisy confines of my brain. By 2025, Surf Side ...

How to quit your day job

Words by

Photos by

Feeding Futures School Food Programs

Consistent access to nutritious food is essential for children to thrive. Yet Canada is the only G7 country ...

Yes, there can be a free lunch

Words by

Photos by

Art and loss

On December 25, 2011, my life changed in a car accident caused by a distracted driver and icy road conditions. My ...

How individual practice and community engagement aid in the process of healing

Words & photos by

Karaoke. Why?

In the great spectrum of performative singing, karaoke falls somewhere between singing along with the car radio ...

Because it’s damn fun to belt out a banger in public.

Words by

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EMERGING ARTIST – TENLEY PRATT

Macramé and moreMy name is Tenley Pratt and I am fourteen years old. I have always loved to create art. I ...

A young fibre artist/entrepreneur explores her creative possibilities

Words by

Photos by

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Campbell River’s shifting trail running culture

The first time I saw Bob Wall, he was in the middle of a forest run to who knows where. It was winter, one of ...

The joy in being out there

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The World Through the Eyes and Soul of the Poet

Instructions for Living a Life: Pay attention. Be astonished. Tell about it. –Mary Oliver, ...

The world needs more poets

Words by

Illustration by

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Get Lost!

An invitation to a deeper knowledge.I have been completely lost by accident a handful of times: in a new ...

Editor's introduction to Vol. 11

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When Roads were Roads

Dear Townspeople,You’ve probably seen me around town before. I’m everyone’s favourite stretch of asphalt. The ...

A Satirical Look at How Ryan Road is Resisting Change

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A Look At Our Beloved Canada Jay

When I stop for a snack in Paradise Meadows, I hold my granola bar close.Within moments, a robin-sized bird ...

Theft from above

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SHOW US YOUR WORDS

Comox Valley Arts and the selection committee were thrilled with the response to our 2021 Elevate Summer Poetry Contest. Thanks to everyone who submitted entries, and congratulations to our winners, whose work is published here.

Photo by

Sara Kempner

A remote journey in search of scenery and self.

Words & Artwork by

Tracy Kobus

Photos by

Malcolm Johnson

ON A HUMBLE SCALE

An ordinary stormwater retention pond turns out to be remarkable, indeed.

Words by

Mac Newton

Photos by

Lorenz Jimenez

COMOX VALLEY STARGAZING

How to explore space from your own backyard.

Words & photo by

Sara Kempner

PROTECTING PERSEVERANCE

Racing against time to protect a vital piece of nature.

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Featured photo by

Meredith Rose

BRINGING BACK THE BYGONE

By restoring vintage furniture, we pay homage to the craftsperson, and to the forest which provided the raw material.

Words by

Dave Nowak

Photos by

Meredith Rose

A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO GREEN BURIAL

It’s better to burn out than to fade away? Not always. New alternatives to cremation allow bodies to return to the earth naturally.

Words by

Madeline Christie

Featured photo by

Sita Then

THE EVOLUTION OF BANNOCK

This delicious, iconic food is both a staple of life and a symbol of Indigenous persistence.

Words by

Lyndsey Bell

Photos by

Jennifer Brazil

ROCK BEATS WATER

For climbers, the attraction of Comox Lake has always been the cliffs.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Featured photo by

Sara Kempner

ON THE UPSWING

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Scott Bell

THE MCLOUGHLIN GARDENS

A summer cottage becomes a place to dream and create.

Words by

Kerry Hale

Featured photo by

Susan Healy

LITTLE VALLEY: TOWNES BLUE

Our young residents reflect on the home they’re growing up in.

Words by

Townes Blue, Age 12

Photo by

Jenn Pentland

TOWARD A MORE LIVABLE VALLEY

Comox Valley Coalition to End Homelessness combines compassion and action.

Words by

RJ Herron

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

What is in a Story?

Words by

Nicole Berns

Photos by

Sara Kempner

Tot farming

Words by

Brittany Baxandall

Photos by

Shayla Attfield

Art+Earth

Moving Forward, Exploring Relationships, And Facing Challenges Together.

Words by

Ken Blackburn

Photos by

Nycky-Jay Vanjecek

Honouring Medicine and Pagan Traditions

Introducing the Family and Animals of Standing Spruce Farm & Apothecary

Words by

Lesley Assu

Photos by

Nycky-Jay Vanjecek

Aromatic, Craveable, and Savoury

Fermentation Adds Value to Our Community.

Words & Photos by

Brandon Pirie

Steel Wool Photography

How to Create Eye-catching Creative Photos

Words & Photos by

Bob Wild

Moutcha Bay Resort

A Natural Haven for the Savvy Local Traveler

Words by

Erin Brizard

Photos by

Michael Hack

Carving a Niche

Chris Zumkeller’s Journey as a Craftsman

Words by

Chris Zumkeller

Photos by

Hayley Zumkeller

Innovation in Education

The Magic of the Carihi Fly Fishing Program.

Words by

Nic Pisterzi

Photos by

Eiko Jones

Cries of the Wild

Revisiting the History of Mount Cain’s Glissade Culture

Words by

Neil Borecky

Photos by

Kimberley Kufaas

Writing a New Narrative

Wildflowers & Co. Founder Alissa Assu Inspires the Future of Indigenous Women In Business

Words by

Alissa Assu

Photos by

Kimberley Kufaas

LITTLE RIVER: MADISON LUCAS

Reflections from a younger resident

Words by

Madison Lucas

Photos by

Francesca Lott

For the Love of Flying

Words & Photos by

Bastian Fleury

Words by

Carly Caron

Guardian, Steward, and Watchkeeper

Restoring the Balance of Physical and Cultural Sustenance for Future Generations

Words by

Vicki Simmons

Photos By

Tom Parker

This Ain’t the Mainland

Island Kids Have Tougher Feet

Words by

Marina Scott

Photos by

Deelia Nelson

Pointing the Bow North

A Coastal Sailing And Snowboarding Adventure

Words by

Kayleen Vanderee

Photos by

Abby Cooper

The Future is Digital

Adversity Sparks Creative Innovation At Campbell River’s Tidemark Theatre

Words by

Alison Bell

Photos by

Tidemark Theatre

River Magic

The Watery Highway Of Life On The North Island

Words by

Lorna Seldon-Burd

Photos by

Moira Le Patourel

REIMAGINING REGIONAL RECREATION

Four local governments working together for better parks and recreation management? It could be a reality very soon.

Words by

Andrew Findlay

Photos by

Sara Kempner

LEARNING LANGUAGE; BUILDING COMMUNITY

NIC’s Indigenous language courses help students bring Kwak’wala into their day-to-day lives.

Words by

Elizabeth Young

Photos by

Island Life Photographics

LIFTING THE FOG

How a Valley-based program is helping people overcome anxiety and depression.

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Jarrett Lindal

FREE THE LAWNS!

The front lines of food production, coming to a neighbourhood near you.

Words by

James McKerricher

Featured photo by

Jenn Dykstra

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