WOLF BLOSSOM
CRAFTING LEATHER WITH PASSION, PURPOSE, AND A LITTLE WILD SPIRIT
Words by
Photos by
ALL Culture & Art
SEA LION SOLILOQUY
A poetic young pinniped and the art of storytelling.
Words by
Photos by
Art and loss
How individual practice and community engagement aid in the process of healing
Words & photos by
EMERGING ARTIST – TENLEY PRATT
A young fibre artist/entrepreneur explores her creative possibilities
Words by
Photos by
The World Through the Eyes and Soul of the Poet
The world needs more poets
Words by
Illustration by
A Volkswagen Bus gets a makeover
Electrifying Results
Words by
Photos by
Featured Poet: If I had nine lives
Words and Photo by
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: MATHEW WANBON
Featured Artist: Maggie Ziegler
THE MUSICAL JOURNEY OF HELENA JUNG
From Korea to Comox
Words by
Photo by
A LIFELONG JOURNEY INTO GRAPHIC NOVELS
Creative imagination, fantastical worlds
Words & Illustrations by
AN EMERGING COMOX VALLEY PHOTOGRAPHER
A young photographer shares some of his favourite work so far
Words & photos by
CR LIVE STREETS: A NIGHT OUT DOWNTOWN
Cozy up in Campbell River with music, comedy, and art on a chilly February night
Words by
Photos by
THE MANY COLOURS OF BUTE INLET
A magnificent fjord
Words by
Photo by
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: MICHAEL HACK
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: KATIE PHILLIPS
FEATURED ARTIST: NICOLA NORTH
SEASONAL GOODS: FALL
FROM PLASTIC IN THE SEA TO ART INGENUITY
Lost buoys
Words by
Photo by
FEATURED ARTIST: BRITTANY WEST
FUNKANOMETRY’S JACKSUN FRYER
Popping and locking happiness
Words by
Photos courtesy of
WILD CORTES
The origins of a special exhibit
Words by
Photo by
CUMBERLAND’S WOODSTOVE FESTIVAL
Fall in love, I dare you…
Words by
Photos by
THE TIMELESS APPEAL OF TINTYPE PORTRAIT PHOTOGRAPHY
A memory set in metal
Words & photos by
Featured Artist: Bryn Ball
A creative journey in France
Une grande aventure
Words & photos by
The Ocean Waves Square Dance Club celebrates 70 years
Get on the floor!
Words by
Photo courtesy of
ART AS AN INCUBATOR FOR RESILIENCE, EMPATHY, AND COMMUNITY
Why do we love pencils?
Words by
Photos by
CELEBRATING DIVERSITY IN THE COMOX VALLEY
Alive with pride
Words by
Photos by
AXÉ CAPOEIRA AND KUMUGWE DANCERS
Warrior spirit in the Bighouse
Words & photos by
FEATURED POET: AMBITION
Words by
Photo by
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: AMY SHAW
FEATURED ARTIST: MICHAEL PRATT
SEASONAL GOODS: SPRING
Photo by
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: COLIN PENDZIWOL
FEATURED ARTIST: LEE GASS
THE ART AND CRAFT OF WOODTURNING
From wood to wow
Words & photos by
NAWALAKW HEALING CENTER
A reawakening of the kwak'wala language
Words & photo by
GETTING TO KNOW THE AWAKENEERS
For the love of music
Words by
Photo courtesy of
CVOX: COMOX VALLEY COMMUNITY RADIO
A local fountain of music, culture, and information
Photos by
REFLECTIONS OF A YARD CAR
Content to be still after years of motion and freedom
Words & photos by
HANDCRAFTING LINEN
From tiny flax seed to majestic fabric
Words by
Photos by
BUILDING COMMUNITY WITH LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES
Take a book, leave a book
Words by
Photos by
OUR COMMUNITY RUNS ON HUMAN CREATIVITY
Creative Director's Introduction to Vol. 37
Words & Photo by
SEASONAL GOODS: WINTER
Photo by
LIVES OF LOGGERS AND FARMERS
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: KALI WEXLER
FEATURED ARTIST: JARED POPESCU
THE ILLUMINATION OF FIRE
A conversation with Wedlidi Speck.
Interview by
Photos courtesy of
NEWCOMERS’ BOOK CLUB
Turning the page on another year of stories and friendship.
Words by
Photos by
Centre Stage
The appeal of taking part in community theatre.
Words & photos courtesy of
Radical Love at the Art Hive
Open doors provide more than a creative opportunity for everyone.
Words by
Photos courtesy of
Featured Photographer: Bob Wild
Featured Artist: Kimberly Thompson
A CARING PRESENCE
Every week, Indigenous Elders connect with students at 11 Valley schools through the Ni’nox¯sola program.
Words by
Drawn to the Water
Documenting coastal mariners.
Words by
Photos by
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: CHUCK BURDICK
The Heriot Bay Inn
Where ghosts, custodians, and community gather.
FEATURED ARTIST: SARAH CLARK
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: REM SKOLNEY
FEATURED ARTIST: JULIAN BARKER
THE POWER OF KEEPING DANCE ALIVE IN ADULTHOOD
Art in motion
Words by
Photo by
COME AS YOU ARE
Conscious dance requires no skills or substances. And it’s remarkably freeing.
Words by
Photos by
WE CAN DANCE IF WE WANT TO
Two stories exploring different perspectives on this passionate, beautiful art form.
Words by
Photo by
ɫokʷimas – You Are Strong
THE KWAKWAKA’WAKW YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION INITIATIVE
Words By
Photo By
Featured Artist: DAVID ELLINGSEN
Photos By
Featured Photographer: Kiley Panziera
Photos By
Lights. Curtain. Go!
Reimagining the Rivercity Stage.
Words By
Featured photo by
IN SEARCH OF OUR INDIGENEITY
Diving into ancestral stories from Europe with Mythology Club Comox Valley.
Words by
Photo by
BLACK AND RURAL
An intimate account of Black folk in the Canadian countryside.
Words by
Illustration by
GLOOM AND BEAUTY
Why are we doing this? Because we can.
Words by
Photo by
TUNING IN TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Invented for music festivals, silent disco headphones find new life during COVID-19.
Words by
Photo by
A THEATRICAL FORCE FOR GOOD
Exploring the human experience with laughter, love, and hard work.
Words by
Photo by
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: JIM WHYTE
Photo By
MAGIC IN THE DYE POT
Fibre and fungi are key ingredients in Amy Crook’s creative process.
Words by
Photos by
FEEL LIKE A KID AGAIN
Spend a Monday night at the LINC.
Words & photos by
JUMP SCARES AHEAD
Filmmaker Dan Webb brings sci-fi and horror to the Comox Valley.
Words by
Illustration by
SUNSET AT SMITH LAKE FARM
Four photographers capture more than just snapshots.
Words by
Featured photo by
GET THEE TO A GALLERY
Each of these galleries features a wide selection of locally made artwork at a variety of price points. You’ll find no pressure to buy, just creativity and brilliance aplenty to admire, and a warm welcome from people who love to talk about art.
CREATING A CANOE
K’ómoks First Nation members combine ancient methods and modern tools to bring a new vessel to life.
Words by
Sophie Whittingham
Singing for Joy
Campbell River Children's Choir makes music around the world.
Words by
Photos by
Building Reconciliation
Three community members in Mowachaht/Muchalaht territories build trust.
Words by
Words by
Highway 19 Concerts
Lucas Schuller brings music to Campbell River.
Words by
Photos by
SUPER TROUPERS
After five decades and counting, the show goes on for the Comox Valley Youth Music Centre.
Words by
Photos courtesy of
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: NICK THORNTON
Photo By
T’AAM LAAN, STEERSMAN OF THE CANOE
A SUP adventurer’s trajectory through the mist.
Words by
Photos by
A PASSION FOR CLAY
After thirty years, The Potters Place Gallery continues to flourish.
Words by
Photos courtesy of
DENMAN ISLAND READERS AND WRITERS FESTIVAL IS BACK
Authors and book lovers rejoice at the return of the big literary festival on a small island.
Words by
Photos Courtesy of
A LOVE LETTER TO WATER
Explore water as a living entity through a convergent program at the Comox Valley Art Gallery.
Words by
Photo by
FEATURED ARTIST: CHRISTIAN GEISSLER
NOSY NEIGHBOURS WELCOME
During the Cumberland Home, Garden, and Culture Crawl, it’s totally okay to peek into your neighbours’ lives. They might even offer you a drink while you admire their tomato plants.
Words by
Photos by
FEATURED WORDS: I’M LEARNING
Words by
Photos by
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: MORGAN NORTH
COMMUNITY, CARE, AND QUILTING
Local quilters have created a thriving guild, block by block and decade by decade.
Words by
Photo by
FEATURED ARTIST: SHELLEY VANDERBYL
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: ANIUEMILIA
VIDEOGRAPHERS AND FILMMAKERS
The Comox Valley is home to a diverse group of visual artists who use video to tell compelling stories about nature, humanity, and community.
Words by
Featured Artist: Terri-lynn Papagiannis
Featured Words: Neall Calvert
Poems by
Photos by
Q̓ʷalayu House
Words by
Photos by
Inspired by Nature
West Coast images travel the world on clay.
Words by
Photos by
Traffic Jam
A newcomer’s reflections on migrating to the Strathcona region.
Words by
Photos by
GETTING THE DRIFT
As a vibrant poetry scene emerges in the Valley, a new anthology showcases over three dozen poets’ work.
Words by
Photo by
SALMON AND STEWARDSHIP
the K’ómoks First Nation Guardian Watchmen use the bounty of the sea to help protect the forest.
Words by
Photos by
MUSIC WAS OUR CONTRABAND
Words by
Photo by
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: CURTIS BLACKBURN
FEATURED ARTIST: SHARON LALONDE
The Origins of the Comox Valley Writers Society
Word-lovers unite
Words by
Photos by
PUBLISHED IN A PANDEMIC
Recent and recommended – books by local authors.
PUTTING DOWN THE SAWS
Sy Pederson’s short film Tree Killer tells a story of rebellious loggers and advocates for change in BC’s forestry industry.
Words by
Photo by
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
FEATURED WORDS: GENIUS LOCI
Poem by
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: FRANCOISE GERVAIS
FEATURED ARTIST: BRIAN JESSOP
Kevin Mackenzie
Art+Earth
Moving Forward, Exploring Relationships, And Facing Challenges Together.
Words by
Photos by
Honouring Medicine and Pagan Traditions
Introducing the Family and Animals of Standing Spruce Farm & Apothecary
Words by
Photos by
Cries of the Wild
Revisiting the History of Mount Cain’s Glissade Culture
Words by
Photos by
Writing a New Narrative
Wildflowers & Co. Founder Alissa Assu Inspires the Future of Indigenous Women In Business
Words by
Photos by
LEARNING LANGUAGE; BUILDING COMMUNITY
NIC’s Indigenous language courses help students bring Kwak’wala into their day-to-day lives.
Words by
Photos by
SCENES FROM CVAG, 2020
An invitation to enter the Comox Valley Art Gallery, where art and community intersect.
Words by
Featured photo by
ART AND MENTORSHIP IN THE 21ST CENTURY
With family guidance, a young Indigenous artist expands her practice.
Words by
Featured photo by
FEATURED WORDS: KUS-KUS-SUM
Words by
FEATURED ARTIST: MIKE SAVAGE
FEATURED PHOTOGTAPHER: SHANNON KAY
Featured Photographer: Vince Kehn
Featured Artist: Lukas Mouka
In Search Of
A scout’s hunt for film locations on Vancouver Island
Words by
Photos by
THE THREADS OF RECOVERY
A former adrenaline junkie becomes a different kind of adventurer, exploring new cultures through weaving.
Words by
Photos by
FEATURED WORDS: LONGEST NIGHT
Words by
Photo by
FEATURED ARTIST: ZOEY MAYENBURG
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: JARRETT LINDAL
THE VINYL REVIVAL
Why records are making a comeback.
Words by
Photos by
THE ONLY WAY OUT IS THROUGH
Hunger Moon is a shining read for a season of strangeness.
Words by
THROUGH THE VENEER
Getting creative in the place between water and air, where the perspective is elastic and welcoming.
Words & photo by
ALL FIRED UP
Award-winning potter Gordon Hutchens may be in his seventies, but he’s still got plenty of clay to shape, students to teach, and ideas to pursue.
Words & Photo by
FEATURED ARTIST: RICHARD MRAVIK
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: GLYNNIS GREY
FEATURED WORDS: DISTANCE
Poem by
Photo by
DRAWN TO THE FLAMES
Because our personal relationship with fire is a cautious one, we love the excitement of fire shows.
Words by
Photo by
ART, A HARVEST, AND A BLESSING
Public Place / Sacred Space leaves a meaningful legacy in downtown Courtenay.
Words by
Photo by
Small Town, Big Music Scene
What you not know about the Sayward Valley Folk Music Society
Words by
Photos by
Always A Rock in my Pocket
Transforming the way we look at simple, everyday objects.
Words By
Photos By
Featured Photographer: Moira Le Patourel
Featured Artist: Sonny Assu
A Hiługwila for Mia
Ceremony, Heart, Tradition, and Family.
Words By
Photos By
FEATURED ARTIST: JO PAYNE
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: MATT NEWFIELD
BELTANE
Poem by
Photo by
THE CURVE OF TIME
The classic story of a BC family’s sailing adventures still thrills modern readers.
Words by
Cover painting by
DOWN IN THE PIT
Inside the unseen world of musical-theatre musicians.
Words by
Featured photo by
BLANKETED IN HOPE
A meeting of art, reconciliation, and the law in the K’ómoks Bighouse.
Words by
Photos by
CAMPBELL RIVER’S SPIRIT SQUARE
Where community gathers and spirit is celebrated
Words By
Photos By
Calling the Rains and the Salmon
The Petroglyphs of Quadra Island.
Words by
Photo By
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
Photo by
Featured Artist: Cathy Holfeld
FEATURED ARTIST: ANOUK HARTWELL
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: BRETT KROEKER
WINTER’S POEM
Words by
Photo by
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
Illustration by
FEATURED ARTIST: SARAH BERGERON
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: VIKTOR DAVARE
FEATURED ARTIST: AVA LUNA
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: DAVE INGRAM
REMARKABLE SOFTNESS
Yarn bombing, the spontaneous act of applying textiles in public spaces, liberates both artist and observer from expectation.
Words by
Photos by
AN ISLAND OF SOUND
Now 38 years in, the team behind the Hornby Festival continues to do world-class their own way.
Words by
Photo by
FEATURED ARTIST: ALEX MAERTZ
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: PAIGE OWEN
AQUA MAN
The original underwater superhero swims the waters of the Pacific Northwest.
Words by
Photo by
A LIFE THAT BENEFITS OTHERS
Now a permanent resident of the Valley, A Tibetan Buddhist Monk has turned hardship into a teaching legacy.
Words by
Photo by
THE WATERS WITHIN
Reflecting our past through a lens of sustainability to voice our hope for the future.
Words & Photos by
FEATURED ARTIST: JENNIFER EATON
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: SHERYL HANULA
A CUSHY ARRANGEMENT
Life on the back eddy of a ski attracts a revolving cast of characters.
Words by
Photo by
UNIVERSAL LOCAL
Dancer and teacher Cathy Stoyko’s many cultural contributions include a multi-purpose space in Cumberland dedicated to inclusivity and creative freedom.
Words by
Photo by
STANDING TALL
Karver Everson and Randy Frank are resurrecting a style of totem pole carving traditional to the K’ómoks people. Their Guardian poles continue to be raised on unceded traditional territory throughout the Valley in honour of First Nations History and the path we must all walk toward reconciliation..
Words by
Photos by
OPPRESSION AND RESILIENCE
134 years ago, the Canadian Government introduced legislation to ban the P'a_sa, or Potlach, in an attempt to disassemble the culture of Indigenous peoples in Canada. An exhibit at the Comox Valley Art Gallery aims to educate the public about this section of Canadian history, and the impact that continues to reverberate today.
Words by
Photo by
TREE OF LIFE
The inherent pursuit of drawing can benefit anyone willing to see things anew.
Words by
&
KYE BAY MORNING
Poem by
Photo by
GOING PUBLIC
Collaborating towards a beautiful future through art initiatives in the Comox Valley.
Words & photos by
OUR CHURCH BUILDINGS
Opening the doors to change.
Words by
Photos by
PRE-LOVED
An ode to used books.
Words by
Photos by
AT JOURNEY’S END
The radiant compassion and wisdom of Amida Buddha and the grace and forbearance of the Japanese who once lived here.
Words by
Photo by
TRIBAL JOURNEYS
Connecting coastal communities with dugout canoes.
Words by
Photos by
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: BRYAN WALWORK
FEATURED ARTIST: JULIE SABEY
SID WILLIAMS THEATRE
Lifting community spirits through the years.
Words by
Photo by
PAINTING WITH FIRE AND SODA
Conjuring art in the midst of chaos: ceramics of Jeff Brett
Words & Photo by
CHORAL VALLEY
The joy of lifting your voice with others.
Words by
Photos by
ACTIVATING ARTS AND CULTURE
A look at the work of the Comox Valley Community Arts Council.
Words by
Photos by
VILLAGE OF ALERT BAY
Words by
Photos by
ALTERNATIVE THERAPY
Art and music provide space to explore, heal, and transform.
Words by
Photos by
THE KUMUGWE BIGHOUSE
Revitalizing culture in the K’omoks Valley.
Words by
Featured photo by
ABANDON LAND THIS SUMMER
Historical boat cruises at the Museum at Campbell River.
Words & Photos by
LIFELONG LEARNING
Community education thrives in Cumberland.
Words by
Photo by
ART ALCHEMY
Artists in the Comox Valley create and cultivate a vibrant studio/gallery.
Words by
Photo by
SHOW OF PROGRESS
The stories told during the World Community Film Festival voice the passionate and varied work of present day activists and artists.
Words by
Photos by
INSPIRED BY SOUND
Two of Cumberland’s citizens build a legacy of music from behind the stage.
Words by
Opening photo by
JOY DISTRICT
Words by
ELEVATION
Words by
Photos by
THE FILBERG EVOLUTION
Words by
AUDIBLE INSPIRATION
No results found.