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.

Featured Artist: Judit Szilvasi

Judit Szilvasi’s passion for sculpting began when she was a teenager in Kecskemet, Hungary. She earned a Master of ...

Featured Photographer: Damian Chudzinski, Comox Valley Landscape Artist

Damian Chudzinski is a landscape photographer based in the Comox Valley, specializing in Vancouver Island's ...

NIC Student Housing, tul’al’txw: Alive with Indigenous Culture

North Island College student housing brings culture and community to campusWhen NIC student housing opens this ...

A house—and home—of learning

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Draw Together Strangers

From an early age, we learn a basic way to draw faces, which is kind of a cognitive shortcut—our idea of what a ...

How a global art initiative creates human connection

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Sandy Island Marine Park (Tree Island BC): Remote—and Right Next Door

My earliest memory of Tree Island BC (as it was called then—it’s now officially called “Jáji7em and Kw’ulh Marine ...

Trees and sand

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How Ramona Gregory’s Slip Cast Porcelain Lamps Combine Form and Function

Ramona Gregory tells me she has been making art for as long as she can remember. “Among my friends, I was allowed ...

CRAFTING LIGHT

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Gwyn Sproule: Guardian of the forest and Cumberland history

Chatting with Gwyn Sproule is a far-reaching and delightfully random undertaking. Do not be fooled by the ...

A very engaging life

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The 1946 Vancouver Island Earthquake and Landslide Lake

Mountains seem permanent. Trees grow, ice melts, and river courses change, but, from a human perspective at least, ...

When “bedlam” let loose

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Hollyhock — A Cortes Island oasis

You’ll hear it now and then—in the hum of a café conversation, murmured between friends on a seaside trail, or ...

Just across the water, magic awaits

It’s not true BBQ until you add low heat, live fire, and flavourful smoke

An afternoon spent sweating over flame and smoke is an American pastime on par with football and Christianity. For ...

The art of Smoke

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Experience Tahsis

Ample adventure, history, and nature on the West Coast of Vancouver Island.

Words & Photos by

Kira Marshall

Inspired by Nature

West Coast images travel the world on clay.

Words by

Anita Lawrence

Photos by

Neil Lawrence

It’s In The Details

A local homebuilder shares his love for West Coast architecture.

Words by

Tony Lebid

Photos by

Nycky-Jay Vanjecek

Healthy Hives

How to inspect for a thriving, growing bee colony.

Words by

Rachel Halliwell

Photos by

Kent Bernadet

Riding Off-Grid

Words by

Terri Perrin

Photos by

Nancy Carr-Hilton

LITTLE RIVER: SOPHIE AND SIMON KUHL

Reflections from our younger residents

Words by

Sophie Kuhl

Simon Kuhl

The Gardening Movement

Three soil experts share their knowledge on the past and future of growing

Words by

Arzeena Hamir

Words by

Heather Gray

Building a Technology Hub

How angel investors support economic development through innovative projects.

Words by

David Baar

Photos by

Damien Jannet

Paddling Adventures

A family explores Cortes Island by kayak

Words & Photos by

Lisa Levesque

Traffic Jam

A newcomer’s reflections on migrating to the Strathcona region.

Words by

Tacey Keighley

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

Small Farm, Big Ideas

A family grows on Quadra’s SouthEnd Winery

Words by

Ben McGuffie

Photos by

Erin Wallis

Vertical Madness

Students sewing themselves into the sky

Words by

Mike Davies

Photos by

Allan Sawchuck

Burrell’s Bog

Protected space for the birds in Beaver Lodge Lands

Words & Photos by

Bob Dice

Words by

Trevor McMonagle

In Motion

Words by

Trevor McMonagle

Photos by

Tyrah Hofer

WANTED: DEATH COMPANIONS

We’re all going to die, but most of us don’t want to talk about it. Let’s reframe the conversation.

Words by

Madeline Christie

Photos by

Jennifer Jellett

MEET THE BOOT FITTER

When you’ve got happy feet, you just ski better.

Words by

Neil Borecky

Photos by

Luc Antaya

IT’S A WET COLD

Winter camping in Strathcona Provincial Park.

Words by

Kayleen Vanderee

Photos by

Matt Meredith

LITTLE VALLEY: AVA THOMAS

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

Words by

Ava Thomas

Photo by

Sara Kempner

THE BLUE BUZZ

Wild swimmers are only ever one swim away from a good mood.

Words by

Kerry Hale

Photo by

Glenn Naylor

THE GIFT OF MOTION

A new non-profit wants all queer athletes to have role models and cheerleaders.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Photos by

Meredith Rose

RETHINKING ONIGIRI

A Hornby Island entrepreneur takes a beloved Japanese seafood snack to the next level.

Words by

Britt Hanson

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

GETTING THE DRIFT

As a vibrant poetry scene emerges in the Valley, a new anthology showcases over three dozen poets’ work.

Words by

Ed Varney

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

DROP INTO A DEEP READ

Photographer Duncan Hague creates space to tell mountain biking’s unsung stories.

Words by

Dave Flawse

Photo by

Duncan Hague

IT TAKES A VILLAGE

Meet the organization that aims to help all Comox Valley children reach their full potential.

Words by

Trish Weatherall

Photos by

Crystal Chowdhury

MUD, MESS, AND MAGIC

Making a case for outdoor education.

Words by

Britt Hanson

Photos by

Sara Kempner

SALMON AND STEWARDSHIP

the K’ómoks First Nation Guardian Watchmen use the bounty of the sea to help protect the forest.

Words by

Lisa Levesque

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

BREWMOX VALLEY 2.0

Not even a pandemic has stopped our growing love for local craft beer.

Words by

Max Oudendag

Photos by

Sara Kempner

WHERE THERE’S WATER, THERE’S HOPE

Clearflo Solutions was already working on the global clean water crisis. Then their technology was needed much closer to home.

Words by

Bevin Clempson

Jenny Deters

WHEN IT RAINS, IT POURS

Winters in the Valley aren’t what they used to be. What does this mean for our water supply?

Words by

Tim Ennis

Photos by

Brett Kroeker

KNIT LIKE A NORWEGIAN

Words by

Allie Jenkinson

Photos by

Joslyn Kilborn

MUSIC WAS OUR CONTRABAND

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Photo by

RJ Herron

LET THE RIVERS RUN

Streamkeepers keep a watchful eye on the Valley’s precious waterways.

Words by

Tanis Gower

Photos by

Meredith Rose

THE DUBIOUS PLEASURES OF WINTER BIRDING

Join the hardy, determined, somewhat anti-social ranks of winter birders.

Words by

Jason Straka

Photo by

James Mackenzie

BLOOM WHERE YOU’RE PLANTED

From Cumberland to the Caribbean, Chicago, and back: a local couple comes full circle.

Words by

Anja Roberts

Photo by

Crystal Chowdhury

A LIFE LIVED WITH VOLUME

We dedicate this volume of the CVC to Thomas Dunn, who inspired family, friends, and entire communities to experience everything in a big way. He will be missed.

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Nik Dunn

COME TO THE DARK SIDE

Heighten your senses with a walk in the forest after dark.

Words by

Wendy Mayers

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

BULBS OF GLORY

Oh, how we love you, beautiful, smelly, powerful garlic.

Words by

Darren Howlett

Photo by

Jennifer Brazil

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: CURTIS BLACKBURN

THE COHOUSING CONCEPT

Courtenay’s sustainable, social cohousing community creates a village of neighbours.

Words by

John Gower

Photos by

Meredith Rose

FEATURED ARTIST: SHARON LALONDE

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