Winter Darbey, a local artist, was present at city council last Monday to discuss the importance of art in the community and to promote a new science fiction show at the Art Centre this month.
Darbey is a member of the Artist Collective, a group of more than 100 members that offers workshops and brings local artists together at the Art Matters Art Centre at the Harbour Quay, beside the Blue Door Café.
Members of the Artist Collective recently performed A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant, and a Prayer: a theatrical piece meant to raise awareness about violence against women.
“Art isn’t always about decoration,” said Darbey. “Sometimes art is about empowerment, about bringing communities together. We brought people together that night, and we are still working together to build each other up and express ourselves. We need to support our local artists, and especially initiatives like the Artists Collective.”
Jen Fisher-Bradley and Darbey will be collaborating on a science fiction gallery this month called “The Birthplace of Unseen Stars.”
“We’re exploring the lives of a strange and fascinating race of beings. Highly intelligent, they are also very spiritual,” Darbey summarized. “They have teleportation technology, spaceships with tentacles, hive cities.”
The reception for this gallery on Sunday, May 7 will run from 2-4 p.m. There will be refreshments, and members of Starfleet Deep Space Port Alberni will be dropping by in costume. The art will be on display at the Art Matters Art Centre for the entire month of May.