Port Alberni artist Angela Skaley's artwork has been hanging in a juried art show at the Comox Valley Airport for the past six months. Skaley is one of 30 central Vancouver Island artists whose work has been featured at "YQQ" in an exhibition called "Regeneration."
The exhibit is a homecoming of sorts for Skaley, who is gaining a name for herself in Port Alberni as arts administrator of the Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley. She was raised in rural Alberta and has lived in Alberta and B.C., according to an artist's bio from Comox Valley Arts. Although she first earned a Fine Arts diploma at Grant MacEwan University in Edmonton in 2009, she completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Emily Carr University in 2012 through the NIC Comox Valley Campus.
"It was quite nice to head back to Comox," she said.
She is a mixed-media artist with experience in digital art, drawing, sculpture, acrylics and even performance art. "I've done a lot of art in the past, definitely dabbling in a bunch of different (media)," she said. "I always come back to painting and working with acrylic."
The two pieces Skaley has in the show are both mixed media on wood panels. "Emergence of Nations" is an 18-inch-by-24-inch acrylic, paper and clay on wood piece. "Botany Bay" is a 12-inch-by-12-inch acrylic and clay piece. Skaley often uses "biomaterials" like clay, wood and even hair to create topographic or aerial landscapes.
"This clay and paper on panel is a process I've developed over the last 10 years. It's something I've developed myself." She builds up a terracotta clay with binders and glue so it becomes "more structurally sound," she explains. Then she carves away at it, with the result looking like rock.
Skaley is inspired by nature, and her artwork depicts this passion. "Botany Bay" was inspired by nearby coastline, she said, adding that she hopes to develop a series using local clay.
"Emergence of Nations" is her way of paying respect to the land. It's a piece that has evolved, much like the land beneath changes. "This painting has gone through a few cycles. It went through layers of destruction to make it what it is today." This piece aptly connects with the theme of the show, she said. "Land regenerates. Societies regenerate. Over time, things are rebuilt naturally."
Skaley said it was exciting to have her work included in this juried show. Both of the pieces she submitted were accepted. "It meant a lot just going there and seeing the work up, and hearing strangers talk about it. The feedback was wonderful."
"Regeneration" is a collaboration between the Comox Airport—YQQ—and the Comox Valley Art Gallery. The juried show invited artists from across the central Vancouver Island region (Parksville to Campbell River and to Port Alberni) to submit works that resonate with this year's theme. The show encouraged artists to explore regeneration beyond the natural world, delving into personal and collective renewal, creative innovation and the re-imagining of materials and ideas.
The exhibit showcases 38 pieces from 30 professional, mid-career and emerging artists.
"This is a fantastic partnership that helps shine a bright light on the talented artists of our region," said Mike Atkins, Comox Valley Airport CEO. "About 200,000 passengers will have the opportunity to view the exhibit over the next six months. It's no exaggeration when I say how much the warmth of the terminal's atmosphere relies on these works of art."
"This year's Regeneration show showcases an exceptional array of artwork, from large-scale paintings to detailed graphite drawings, abstract pieces, photography and lush landscapes," said Comox Valley Arts interim executive director Jemima Thomas.
The exhibit will be available for viewing until April 30, 2025. The Comox Valley Airport is open from 4 a.m. to midnight daily and Regeneration is free to view. A virtual showcase is also accessible on the websites of both Comox Valley Airport and Comox Valley Arts.
Regeneration is also part of Waterways: the Comox Valley Gallery Hop taking place until April 30. Nine Comox Valley galleries are participating.
