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Spring



ALL Makers & Innovators
CEDAR BARK WEAVER

CEDAR BARK WEAVER

Traditional techniques, patience, and care go into Mahatta Price’s cedar bark designs

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photos by

Meredith Rose

THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND MYSTICAL TAILS

THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND MYSTICAL TAILS

Bridging souls

Words & photos by

Ingrid van Ree

THE ART AND CRAFT OF WOODTURNING

THE ART AND CRAFT OF WOODTURNING

From wood to wow

Words & photos by

Jim Whyte

NATURAL COLLECTION STANDS

NATURAL COLLECTION STANDS

Handcrafted furniture for your musical instruments

Words by

Caleb Blake

CVOX: COMOX VALLEY COMMUNITY RADIO

CVOX: COMOX VALLEY COMMUNITY RADIO

A local fountain of music, culture, and information

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

OUR COMMUNITY RUNS ON HUMAN CREATIVITY

OUR COMMUNITY RUNS ON HUMAN CREATIVITY

Creative Director's Introduction to Vol. 37

Words & Photo by

Ian Adams

THE ART OF DRYING FLOWERS

THE ART OF DRYING FLOWERS

A fusion of Indigenous heritage and modern artistry is a way to keep memories forever.

Words by

Karen Bezaire

Photos by

Meredith Rose

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

Paige Whitehead is going beyond glow sticks to disrupt an entire toxic industry.

Photos courtesy of

NYOKA Design Labs

BRIDGING THE ART/TECH GAP

BRIDGING THE ART/TECH GAP

The Comox Valley Digital Creation Hub: a new resource for local creatives.

Words by

Jennifer Casey

Photos by

Caresse Nadeau

TUNING IN TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES

TUNING IN TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Invented for music festivals, silent disco headphones find new life during COVID-19.

Words by

Ellian Bell

Photo by

Eugene Chung

BY DESIGN

BY DESIGN

Using the language of architecture to build a life in a new country.

Words by

Vivian Dean

Photos courtesy of

Supermod

MAGIC IN THE DYE POT

MAGIC IN THE DYE POT

Fibre and fungi are key ingredients in Amy Crook’s creative process.

Words by

Marie Maccagno

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

CHEERS TO THE LAZO BARREL COLLECTIVE

CHEERS TO THE LAZO BARREL COLLECTIVE

Three self-proclaimed beer geeks are crafting unique, tasty brews.

Words & Photos by

Sara Kempner

THE WOMAN IN THE FLORAL DRESS

THE WOMAN IN THE FLORAL DRESS

Élise Turgeon’s creative, generous spirit has brought a neighbourhood together.

Words by

Heather Gray

Photos by

Kareen Sanderson

CHEERS TO THE LAZO BARREL COLLECTIVE

CHEERS TO THE LAZO BARREL COLLECTIVE

Three self-proclaimed beer geeks are crafting unique, tasty brews.

Words & Photos by

Sara Kempner

CREATING A CANOE

CREATING A CANOE

K’ómoks First Nation members combine ancient methods and modern tools to bring a new vessel to life.

Words by

K’ómoks First Nation

T’AAM LAAN, STEERSMAN OF THE CANOE

T’AAM LAAN, STEERSMAN OF THE CANOE

A SUP adventurer’s trajectory through the mist.

Words by

Ryan Stuart

Photos by

Bruce Kirkby

COMMUNITY, CARE, AND QUILTING

COMMUNITY, CARE, AND QUILTING

Local quilters have created a thriving guild, block by block and decade by decade.

Words by

Joline Martin

Photo by

Meredith Rose

MIND YOUR SKIN, NATURALLY

MIND YOUR SKIN, NATURALLY

Your skin protects you from the world. Take care of it with plant-infused products from local makers.

Words by

Zaaven Forest

Photo courtesy of

Native Naked Naturals

STYLE AND SUNSTAINABILITY

STYLE AND SUNSTAINABILITY

The Comox Valley’s artisanal clothing designers create slow fashion that will look and feel great for a very long time.

Building a Technology Hub

Building a Technology Hub

How angel investors support economic development through innovative projects.

Words by

David Baar

Photos by

Damien Jannet

RETHINKING ONIGIRI

RETHINKING ONIGIRI

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

Words by

Britt Hanson

Photo by

Jenn Dykstra

WHERE THERE’S WATER, THERE’S HOPE

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

BRINGING BACK THE BYGONE

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

Writing a New Narrative

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

THE THREADS OF RECOVERY

THE THREADS OF RECOVERY

A former adrenaline junkie becomes a different kind of adventurer, exploring new cultures through weaving.

Words by

Andrea Townsend

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

CALLED TO THE BAR

CALLED TO THE BAR

Hornby Organic is building an energy-bar empire based on a family recipe.

Words by

Jen Groundwater

Photo by

Josh Dooley

GLOBAL BUSINESS, LOCAL IMPACTS

GLOBAL BUSINESS, LOCAL IMPACTS

When is it better to do something by half? Allow AquaQuest to demonstrate.

Words by

Meaghan Cursons

Featured photo by

Sarah Barrie

FROM FENCE BOARDS TO SURFBOARDS

FROM FENCE BOARDS TO SURFBOARDS

No foam here: old cedar takes on new life in handcrafted heirloom surfboards.

Words by

Dave Nowak

Photos by

Sara Kempner

ALL FIRED UP

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

Trish Weatherall

Always A Rock in my Pocket

Always A Rock in my Pocket

Transforming the way we look at simple, everyday objects.

Words By

Julie Glaspy

Photos By

Vince Kehn

A BACKCOUNTRY, MODULAR ROOM OF ONE’S OWN

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

THE ORIGINAL SPIN SESSIONS

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

CREATIVE MOMENTUM

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

PERSONAL STYLE

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

REBUILDING A HERITAGE HOME

REBUILDING A HERITAGE HOME

After a Cumberland home catches fire, local professionals help the owners pay homage to history.

Words by

Jenn Laing

Photos by

Joanne McElroy

FASHION FORWARD

FASHION FORWARD

How one small business is making an environmental sea change with thoughtfully crafted swimwear.

Words by

Bevin Clempson

Photos by

Matt Meredith

ADAPT OR DIE

ADAPT OR DIE

Boomer Jerritt’s long history with photography represents the unique combination of skills needed to succeed in a saturated industry.

Words by

Jenn Dykstra

Photos by

Boomer Jerritt

REMARKABLE SOFTNESS

REMARKABLE SOFTNESS

Yarn bombing, the spontaneous act of applying textiles in public spaces, liberates both artist and observer from expectation.

Words by

Leanne Prain

Photos by

Jeff Christenson

SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION

SUPPORTING THE NEXT GENERATION

In partnership with School District 71, skilled timber framers are teaching their craft to Comox Valley youth.

Words by

Randy Churchill

&

Randy Grey

THE CLARITY OF GLASS

THE CLARITY OF GLASS

A New Zealand artist reclaims herself through the sensory joys of a Campbell River studio.

Words by

Suzanna Weimer

Photos by

Vince Kehn

GIRL ON FIRE

GIRL ON FIRE

The quiet dirt road in Merville where Arcade Fire violinist Sarah Neufeld was raised led her loudly around the globe.

Words by

Mike B.

Photo by

Gesi Schilling

FAMILY FRAMEWORK

FAMILY FRAMEWORK

Through strong vision and tireless effort, an easily dismissed property in Union Bay becomes a unique and envious west coast gem.

Words by

Jamie McCue

Photos by

Sara Kempner

BAR CART BOUNTY

BAR CART BOUNTY

From humble Roman origins, the refreshing shrub is making a comeback in the craft cocktail scene.

Words by

Elisabeth Lee

HOME VIDEO

HOME VIDEO

Balancing the give-and-take required to responsibly host the filmmaking process in our own backyard.

Words & Photos by

Ross Bodenmann

TOUGH LOVE

TOUGH LOVE

Four artists collectively known as the Wood Vibe Tribe are refreshing woodworking traditions and using the power of camaraderie to shape their own identities.

Words by

Dave Nowak

Opening photo by

KAIN McCOLLUM

COMOX VALLEY’S CRAFTING COMMUNITY

COMOX VALLEY’S CRAFTING COMMUNITY

Connecting a community of Comox Valley crafters with the world

Words by

Nat Raedwulf Pogue

Photos by

Ron Pogue

MORE THAN GOOD DESIGN

MORE THAN GOOD DESIGN

Dialect Design Studio

Words & Photos by

Jamie McCue

ALTERNATIVE THERAPY

ALTERNATIVE THERAPY

Art and music provide space to explore, heal, and transform.

Words by

Nora Bingham

Photos by

Ron Pogue

WATER-PROOFED PIONEERS

WATER-PROOFED PIONEERS

'Wet-Coast' inspired waterproof solutions for world travels and backward adventures.

Words by

Dave Nowak

Featured photo by

Jenn Dykstra

COMOX VALLEY SOAP ARTISTS

COMOX VALLEY SOAP ARTISTS

A look at Hornby Island Soap Company and Royston Soapworks.

Words by

Lisa Levesque

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

BRICK BY BRICK

BRICK BY BRICK

Habitat for Humanity: helping to build the foundation for happier, healthier lives.

Words by

Bevin Clempson

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

PASSIONATE BREWING

PASSIONATE BREWING

The story of cancer, community and a hospital mini fridge.

Words by

Kerry Hale

Photos by

Karley Bracey

OUTSIDE IN

OUTSIDE IN

A young man’s journey from the forest to the Banff International Film and Book Festival.

Words by

Tao Werner

Photos by

Sara Kempner

COMPLETE COMBUSTION

COMPLETE COMBUSTION

A young mason unites modern heating challenges with ancient solutions.

Words by

Dave Nowak

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

ABUELO’S CORN TORTILLAS

ABUELO’S CORN TORTILLAS

A local business grows by staying true to their origins.

Words & Photos by

Ross Bodenmann

SEWING WILD

SEWING WILD

A man, his sewing machine, and a passion for new experiences come together in a Cumberland business.

Words by

Dave Nowak

Photos by

Jenn Dykstra

MATERIALIZING THE SOUL

MATERIALIZING THE SOUL

Three Comox Valley jewellers carry on the tradition of hand made, wearable art while applying distinct creative visions.

Words & Photos by

SQUEEGEE VALLEY

SQUEEGEE VALLEY

MARKET INNOVATORS: HEALING BLISS BOTANICALS

MARKET INNOVATORS: HEALING BLISS BOTANICALS