Arts and culture

Ceramic artist Ed Oldfield kneels next to his current raku pottery display at the Qualicum Arts Supply and Gallery, July 5, 2021. (Mandy Moraes photo)

Hidden treasures: Artist encourages people to find his raku pottery pieces across Vancouver Island

Ed Oldfield currently has work on display at Qualicum Arts Supply and Gallery

 

A screenshot of the First Peoples Cultural Councils First Peoples’ Map. (First Peoples Cultural Council)

Online resource blends B.C.-Alberta’s Indigenous languages, art and culture

Advisor says initiative supports the urgent need to preserve Indigenous languages

 

Annie Watts, centre, and her father Tom present San Group owner Kamal Sanghera with a carving of a Tseshaht First Nation canoe. Annie Watts gave the company a carving as thanks for a donation of red cedar blocks. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Port Alberni’s Annie Watts is carving out a new niche in her creative journey

Tseshaht First Nation artist presents carving to San Group as thanks

 

Chemainus Theatre facilities manager Damion Knight at the spot inside the gallery and gift shop where thieves smashed a window and grabbed masks. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Unique masks valued at $1,000 stolen from Chemainus Theatre Gallery

Thieves smash a window and grab the goods early Monday morning

Chemainus Theatre facilities manager Damion Knight at the spot inside the gallery and gift shop where thieves smashed a window and grabbed masks. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Jim Sears depicts the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia in an original pen and ink drawing with a watercolour wash. See more of Sears’ work in ‘Coastal Influences’ at the Rollin Art Centre. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)

ARTS AROUND: Coastal influences on display at Rollin Art Centre

Special on mystery bags of books

  • Mar 31, 2021
Jim Sears depicts the lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia in an original pen and ink drawing with a watercolour wash. See more of Sears’ work in ‘Coastal Influences’ at the Rollin Art Centre. (SUBMITTED PHOTO)
Alberni Valley News editor Susie Quinn’s late father Peter, right, and his friend Eldon Oja pause for a photo with the late Babe Gunn during a trip to Gunn’s gallery in the Alberni Valley in 2003. (PHOTO COURTESY QUINN FAMILY)

QUINN’S QUIPS: Respect for rock carving runs in the family

The late sculptor Babe Gunn was a big influence in many ways

Alberni Valley News editor Susie Quinn’s late father Peter, right, and his friend Eldon Oja pause for a photo with the late Babe Gunn during a trip to Gunn’s gallery in the Alberni Valley in 2003. (PHOTO COURTESY QUINN FAMILY)
Babe Gunn receives a bouquet of flowers during the unveiling ceremony for ‘Our Rugged Returning Salmon,’ her commissioned sculpture in the fountain at Harbour Quay, May 23, 1992. (PHOTO COURTESY COMIS FAMILY)

Babe Gunn’s legacy is carved in stone

The Port Alberni woman also known as Priscilla Comis will be remembered for much more

Babe Gunn receives a bouquet of flowers during the unveiling ceremony for ‘Our Rugged Returning Salmon,’ her commissioned sculpture in the fountain at Harbour Quay, May 23, 1992. (PHOTO COURTESY COMIS FAMILY)
Melissa Martin from the Rollin Art Centre holds two paintings from the Rollin Art Centre’s permanent collection: an original portrait painted by the late Robert Aller, and a mixed media piece called ‘House’ from Peggy Larson that was part of Aller’s private collection. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Rollin Art Centre puts permanent collection on display

Works from Robert Aller, Arthur Lismer, Norval Morrisseau to be featured

Melissa Martin from the Rollin Art Centre holds two paintings from the Rollin Art Centre’s permanent collection: an original portrait painted by the late Robert Aller, and a mixed media piece called ‘House’ from Peggy Larson that was part of Aller’s private collection. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
What’s better than yakking with friends? Join the free Women’s Winter Yakfest to recharge. The online event takes place on the first and third Mondays of the month at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. (Submitted image)

Nuu-chah-nulth storyteller kicks off virtual 2021 Women’s Winter Yakfest series on Vancouver Island

‘It’s part book club, part hen party, part learning conference — and all fun’

What’s better than yakking with friends? Join the free Women’s Winter Yakfest to recharge. The online event takes place on the first and third Mondays of the month at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. (Submitted image)
Ellen Lyons, with husband William, was a pioneer in collecting and selling fine art photography. Lia Crowe photography

Ellen Lyons, A Pioneer In The Art Of Collecting Photographs

The William Lyons Gallery of Photography opened in 1979

  • Dec 18, 2020
Ellen Lyons, with husband William, was a pioneer in collecting and selling fine art photography. Lia Crowe photography
Brother, I Cry tells the story of Indigenous siblings, Jon and Ava, struggling with the effects of inter-generational trauma in their own ways while staying spiritually connected. (Supplied image)

Q&A with VIFF’s B.C. Emerging Filmmaker Award winner, Jessie Anthony

Her feature film, Brother, I Cry premiered at VIFF this year

Brother, I Cry tells the story of Indigenous siblings, Jon and Ava, struggling with the effects of inter-generational trauma in their own ways while staying spiritually connected. (Supplied image)
Lisa Beare Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Ministry staff photo

Province announces $2M in arts and culture funding under BC Arts Council

The program will go toward renovating arts and cultural spaces in BC and to buy special equipment

Lisa Beare Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Ministry staff photo
Port Alberni artist Shayne Lloyd works with a scissor lift to reach the top portion of a mural he is painting on the side of the Canadian Maritime Engineering building across from the Port Alberni Train Station. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Work begins on mural near Harbour Quay

Mural will depict the creation story of Tseshaht First Nation

Port Alberni artist Shayne Lloyd works with a scissor lift to reach the top portion of a mural he is painting on the side of the Canadian Maritime Engineering building across from the Port Alberni Train Station. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Christine Sparks paints her banner with hummingbirds and butterflies. She recently started painting in First Nations design and has a love of both creatures, so decided to paint them. (SONJA DRINKWATER / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)

Banners will hang in Port Alberni’s Rotary Arts District despite COVID-19 delay

Only half the banners were painted before nationwide closures due to the pandemic

Christine Sparks paints her banner with hummingbirds and butterflies. She recently started painting in First Nations design and has a love of both creatures, so decided to paint them. (SONJA DRINKWATER / ALBERNI VALLEY NEWS)
A mural is planned for the brick wall behind Canadian Maritime Engineering near Harbour Quay. (NEWS FILE PHOTO)

EDITORIAL: COVID-19 shouldn’t stop projects such as Port Alberni’s mural

The swiftly changing face of the world’s coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has taken…

  • Apr 8, 2020
A mural is planned for the brick wall behind Canadian Maritime Engineering near Harbour Quay. (NEWS FILE PHOTO)
Alberni writer and poet to read at Words on Fire

Alberni writer and poet to read at Words on Fire

Chelsea Comeau has her own freelance writing and editing business

Alberni writer and poet to read at Words on Fire
Wayne Crowley, who battled TimberWest for more than a decade over damage clearcutting above his property caused his farm in the Beauforts, holds onto a pair of pitchforks in John Douglas’ portrait of him. (PHOTO COURTESY JOHN DOUGLAS)

Photographer captures Port Alberni personalities in black and white portraits

Meet John Douglas, Courtney Naesgaard in double exhibit Jan. 18 at Rollin Art Centre

Wayne Crowley, who battled TimberWest for more than a decade over damage clearcutting above his property caused his farm in the Beauforts, holds onto a pair of pitchforks in John Douglas’ portrait of him. (PHOTO COURTESY JOHN DOUGLAS)
Stephanie Greaves takes centre stage

Stephanie Greaves takes centre stage

Victoria songstress is fueled by the music

  • Dec 18, 2019
Stephanie Greaves takes centre stage
The art of Kelly Corbett

The art of Kelly Corbett

Landscapes and wildlife of British Columbia

  • Dec 9, 2019
The art of Kelly Corbett
Kelly Derrickson’s music with a message

Kelly Derrickson’s music with a message

Musician traded in a law career for her musical journey

  • Nov 18, 2019
Kelly Derrickson’s music with a message