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 PHOTOGRAPHER: MICHAEL HACK

Born and raised in Campbell River, Michael Hack has always had a passion for the outdoors. As much of his time as ...

AN UPDATE ON STORIES FROM VOLUME 4

Editor’s note: This fall 2024 issue is the last one of our tenth-anniversary year, and we’re taking a final look ...

Ten years later

Words by

ACF field type unsupported

FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: KATIE PHILLIPS

Exploring the boundaries of photography, and pushing past them: that's the goal. When we imagine a "photoshoot," ...

FEATURED ARTIST: NICOLA NORTH

Nicola North spent her South African childhood climbing trees, riding horses, and living an outdoor lifestyle. ...

SEASONAL GOODS: FALL

Some things to make your autumn better—or maybe get a head start on your Christmas shopping? Keep your stuff ...

WINTER RESOLVE

It is late November and winter has hauled its gloomy tarp over the island. The sun has not appeared in weeks and I ...

Words by

ACF field type unsupported

Photo by

ACF field type unsupported

ELDER VALLEY: NATURAL EXPLORATION

The human instinct to explore is infiniteTo explore is to investigate the unknown, to learn about or become ...

Reflections from an older Comox Valley resident

Words by

ACF field type unsupported

Photo by

ACF field type unsupported

Elder River: Life after 70

The satisfaction found in adapting and creatingA few birthdays ago, somebody told me “Everything changes ...

Reflections from an older Strathcona Region resident

Words by

Photo by

ACF field type unsupported

LITTLE VALLEY: A SURVIVAL TRIP STORY

Finding magic in the sea, the forest, and our imaginationsExploring is something you do to find out more ...

Our young Comox Valley residents reflect on the home they're growing up in

Words by

ACF field type unsupported

Photo by

ACF field type unsupported

THE WORLD IS YOUR EGGPLANT

I’ve been bumping up against a lot of self-proclaimed eggplant haters lately. “Impossible!” is usually my reply. ...

Don’t be a hater. Boldly go forth and try it.

Words by

ACF field type unsupported

Photo by

ACF field type unsupported

No results found.

CAMPBELL RIVER’S SPIRIT SQUARE

Where community gathers and spirit is celebrated

Words By

Vicki Simmons

Photos By

Nycky-Jay Vanjecek

Calling the Rains and the Salmon

The Petroglyphs of Quadra Island.

Words by

Nicole Berns

Photo By

James Headrick

Words on the Water

The year 2020 is the 19th year for an ever-changing community of readers, a celebration of words, and an inspiring weekend of connections.

Words By

Angel Murphy

Photo by

Kimberley Kufaas

How one woman’s quest to shop less ended up expanding her life.

Words By

Briana James

Photo by

Alison Dawn

CHASING SUNSETS

During a fashion-shoot visit to Fiji, a photographer connects with the beauty of ocean and land.

Words and Photos by

Paige Owen

THE VANCOUVER ISLAND MOUNTAIN CENTRE AND SPORTS SOCIETY

The Mountain Centre is here, but do you know why?

Words by

Alycia Traas

Photo by

Kyle Hansen

LITTLE VALLEY: KELLAN D’AOUST

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

Words by

Kellan D'Aoust

THE ROOTS OF ALL GOODNESS

Digging deep for the superpowers of root vegetables.

Words by

Bevin Clempson

Photos by

Jennifer Brazil

Cameras in hand, two determined documentarians spend a season in pursuit of the Comox Valley’s elusive Roosevelt elk.

Words by

Dave Flawse

Painting by

Christine Boyer

WINTER’S POEM

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Photo by

Eugene Chung

THE PERKS OF PLAYING PRETEND

Roleplaying games open up a world of adventure and exploration… and it’s all in the players’ imaginations.

Words by

Curt Carbonell

and

Sam Larente

THE BIG ONE

In 1946, Forbidden Plateau was the epicentre of the Island’s last big earthquake. The Comox Valley experiences minuscule tremors all the time—are we due for another big one soon?

Words by

Andrew Findlay

Photo by

Ron Pogue

BRAVO FOR BUCKET OF BLOOD

This is the first of a series where the book-loving Nora Bingham will recommend books by BC-based authors, often with an Island connection.

Words by

Nora Bingham

Illustration by

Claire Guiot

YOU’LL BE GLAD TO HEAR: UNION BAY 2040

A local writer imagines the letter his daughter will write him about her return to Union Bay 20 years from now.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Photo by

Alexandre Crouzet

LIFE BEGINS AT 40

The resort heads into its fifth decade with plans for many more bluebird days ahead.

Words by

Mike Manara

Photos courtesy of

Mount Washington

A BACKCOUNTRY, MODULAR ROOM OF ONE’S OWN

How one award-winning company is reinventing a classic design for modern adventurers.

Words by

Dave Nowak

PROFILE OF COMMUNITY IN ACTION SPONSORED BY NORTH ISLAND UROLOGY

Think you’ve lived in the Comox Valley a long time? These women run a farm that’s been in the family since John A. Macdonald was prime minister.

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

THE SONSHINE LUNCH CLUB: A LOCAL LIFELINE

Turns out there is such a thing as a free lunch. Five days a week, the Sonshine Lunch Club in Courtenay provides a nutritious meal and a gathering place for people who need a little help.

Words by

Mac Newton

Photo by

Sara Kempner

THE ORIGINAL SPIN SESSIONS

Black Creek’s spinning community has nothing to do with stationary bikes, and everything to do with the art and craft of wool.

Words by

Meagan Roberge

Photo by

Meredith Rose

WAIT ’TIL THE SUN SHINES, NELLIE

The hard work of logging Comox Lake—by hand and raft.

Words by

Dawn Copeman

Photo provided by

Cumberland Museum & Archives

THE SEASON OF EARTH

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Dave Prothero

NOW OR NEVER

A family of four pursues vast and vivid collective memories on a 10-month road trip.

Words & Photos by

Alice Grasby

COVERING NEW GROUND

The Stratchcona TrailRider Program, and others like it, strive to make the backcountry truly accessible.

Words by

Mike B.

Photo by

Scott Bell

LITTLE VALLEY: MIA BEATTIE

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

Words by

Mia Beattie

CREATIVE MOMENTUM

An inventive art show rallies local talent and business for the sake of environmental sea change.

Words by

Ross Bodenmann

Photos by

Gordon Ross

LITTLE VALLEY: ARYO BEHZAD

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

Words by

Aryo Behzad

A NATURAL TEACHER

Ralph Shaw’s passion for the outdoors was paralleled by an enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge with future generations.

Words by

Kerry Hale

WITCHES OF THE WOODS

Folklore tells of female forms that dwell in the forest, personifying the power of this dark, natural world to frighten and mystify.

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Photo by

Karley Bracey

In the face of climate change, the City of Courtenay is working on an integrated system to handle a resource that knows no boundaries.

Words by

Aly Bird

Photo by

Jenn Pentland

DARK SCIENCE

Biologists and “citizen scientists” in the Comox Valley have banned together to gather data on an elusive creature that has long been a metaphor for the fears of mankind.

Words by

Tim Ennis

Photos by

Neil Borecky

PERSONAL STYLE

By rethinking what we wear, the slow fashion movement provides support for local artistry and a path to sustainability.

Words by

Nicole Bertram

Photos by

Meredith Rose

THE FOREST AS OUR WITNESS

There is a dark thread tangled into the rich and fascinating history of Cumberland. We follow along with those carrying the stories of the deceased into the former.

Words by

Ashley Hamilton-Macquarrie

Photos by

Shawn Pigott

HELLO GHOST

In anticipation of the Halloween season, we offer a formal introduction to the spirits of the Comox Valley.

Words by

Kim Bannerman

Illustration by

Clive Powsey

No results found.