From an old building, a vision for a gathering place begins to take shape
historic shipyard to creative space
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ALL Culture & Art
At Dance Temple, explore the age-old gift of moving to music
A Journey Of Movement
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Fento: Clothing for women in their most powerful years
Feminist fashion
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Architectural photography reveals a place’s structure and soul
Precision and POETRY
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Cumberland’s energetic, inclusive, and ever-growing punk scene is welcoming to all
Colour, Chaos, & Community
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Why photography is better together
The art of the image
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Photos by Wink Richardson &
Let’s Rise Together
An Introduction to Vol. 45
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Discovering Amman on an extraordinary gap year
Gap Year in Jordan
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Featured Artist: David Besplug
Featured Photographer: Jackson Photografix
Featured Music: Ultraviolet
Featured Words: Julie Zust
How Denman Islanders took connection into their own hands
Hold the Line
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Flipped Side Furniture: Skipping the landfill
A refreshing change
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Creativity and community
The Arts Alliance/CVAG have brought art to the Comox Valley for 50 years.
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The Campbell River Craft Crawl
A creative hobby blooms into a holiday event
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Memoir and musings from my 75-year road trip
Big deal to reveal
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Featured Artist: Ron Bridge
Featured Photographer: Emily Palmer
In Mat Collings’ work, film and fun go hand in hand
Videos that connect
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Emily Thiessen blends beauty and resistance in her community-based art
The possibility of change
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A conversation with John Vaillant
From Fire Weather to a festival
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Healing through art
A story of loss and reclaiming beauty.
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Ayla Roberts: Music that will make you stop and think
Music that will make you stop and think
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Original music blooms within a cozy circle of songwriters
Wisdom sung from the heart
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Vintage cameras draw memories from the shadows
A return to film
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One bean at a time
An Introduction to Vol. 43
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Featured Poet: Naveena Gill
Mysterious orange sky: a poem about a sunset over Goose Spit
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Featured Artist: Judit Szilvasi
NIC Student Housing, tul’al’txw: Alive with Indigenous Culture
A house—and home—of learning
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Draw Together Strangers
How a global art initiative creates human connection
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How Ramona Gregory’s Slip Cast Porcelain Lamps Combine Form and Function
CRAFTING LIGHT
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A Young Author on Writing and Self-Discovery
Creating her own story
Words by
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IMMERSED IN THE ARTS
Dance, music, and theatre help one young resident to find his role in life and on stage
Words by
Photo by
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: MIKEY PARSONS
FEATURED ARTIST: KEENAN MCCORMACK
FEATURED CREATIVE WRITER: AN ODE TO THE ISLAND COWBOY
Easy to love, hard to hold onto
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FEATURED ARTIST: BRONWYN SCHUSTER
FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: CHRISTOPHER LINDENAU
REINSTATING THE LIǦʷIŁDAX̌ʷ̌ LANGUAGE AROUND CAMPBELL RIVER
Names are bridges
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REVIVAL VINTAGE
seller’s perspective on bringing a lost art back to life
Words by
WOLF BLOSSOM
CRAFTING LEATHER WITH PASSION, PURPOSE, AND A LITTLE WILD SPIRIT
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Photos by
SEA LION SOLILOQUY
A poetic young pinniped and the art of storytelling.
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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
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The World Through the Eyes and Soul of the Poet
The world needs more poets
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Illustration by
A Volkswagen Bus gets a makeover
Electrifying Results
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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
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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
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CR LIVE STREETS: A NIGHT OUT DOWNTOWN
Cozy up in Campbell River with music, comedy, and art on a chilly February night
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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
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CUMBERLAND’S WOODSTOVE FESTIVAL
Fall in love, I dare you…
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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!
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Photo courtesy of
ART AS AN INCUBATOR FOR RESILIENCE, EMPATHY, AND COMMUNITY
Why do we love pencils?
Words by
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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
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FEATURED PHOTOGRAPHER: COLIN PENDZIWOL
FEATURED ARTIST: LEE GASS
THE ART AND CRAFT OF WOODTURNING
From wood to wow
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NAWALAKW HEALING CENTER
A reawakening of the kwak'wala language
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GETTING TO KNOW THE AWAKENEERS
For the love of music
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Photo courtesy of
CVOX: COMOX VALLEY COMMUNITY RADIO
A local fountain of music, culture, and information
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REFLECTIONS OF A YARD CAR
Content to be still after years of motion and freedom
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HANDCRAFTING LINEN
From tiny flax seed to majestic fabric
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BUILDING COMMUNITY WITH LITTLE FREE LIBRARIES
Take a book, leave a book
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OUR COMMUNITY RUNS ON HUMAN CREATIVITY
Creative Director's Introduction to Vol. 37
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SEASONAL GOODS: WINTER
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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
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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
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COME AS YOU ARE
Conscious dance requires no skills or substances. And it’s remarkably freeing.
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WE CAN DANCE IF WE WANT TO
Two stories exploring different perspectives on this passionate, beautiful art form.
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ɫokʷimas – You Are Strong
THE KWAKWAKA’WAKW YOUTH SUICIDE PREVENTION INITIATIVE
Words By
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Featured Artist: DAVID ELLINGSEN
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Featured Photographer: Kiley Panziera
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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.
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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.
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TUNING IN TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES
Invented for music festivals, silent disco headphones find new life during COVID-19.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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
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Inspired by Nature
West Coast images travel the world on clay.
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Photos by
Traffic Jam
A newcomer’s reflections on migrating to the Strathcona region.
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GETTING THE DRIFT
As a vibrant poetry scene emerges in the Valley, a new anthology showcases over three dozen poets’ work.
Words by
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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
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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.
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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.
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Honouring Medicine and Pagan Traditions
Introducing the Family and Animals of Standing Spruce Farm & Apothecary
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Cries of the Wild
Revisiting the History of Mount Cain’s Glissade Culture
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Writing a New Narrative
Wildflowers & Co. Founder Alissa Assu Inspires the Future of Indigenous Women In Business
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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
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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
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THE THREADS OF RECOVERY
A former adrenaline junkie becomes a different kind of adventurer, exploring new cultures through weaving.
Words by
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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.
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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
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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
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Calling the Rains and the Salmon
The Petroglyphs of Quadra Island.
Words by
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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
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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
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A LIFE THAT BENEFITS OTHERS
Now a permanent resident of the Valley, A Tibetan Buddhist Monk has turned hardship into a teaching legacy.
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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.
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STANDING TALL
Resurrecting a style of totem pole carving traditional to the K’ómoks people
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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.
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TREE OF LIFE
The inherent pursuit of drawing can benefit anyone willing to see things anew.
Words by
&
KYE BAY MORNING
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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.
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PRE-LOVED
An ode to used books.
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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.
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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.
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ACTIVATING ARTS AND CULTURE
A look at the work of the Comox Valley Community Arts Council.
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VILLAGE OF ALERT BAY
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ALTERNATIVE THERAPY
Art and music provide space to explore, heal, and transform.
Words by
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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.
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Photo by
ART ALCHEMY
Artists in the Comox Valley create and cultivate a vibrant studio/gallery.
Words by
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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
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INSPIRED BY SOUND
Two of Cumberland’s citizens build a legacy of music from behind the stage.
Words by
Opening photo by
JOY DISTRICT
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ELEVATION
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THE FILBERG EVOLUTION
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AUDIBLE INSPIRATION
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