Cheerleaders, quilts and blankets at the Art Gallery

Join artists Vivienne Pearson and Siobhan Doherty at an opening reception on Friday, April 16 from 7:00pm-9:00pm as they celebrate the opening of their new exhibits at the Campbell River Art Gallery.

Pearson’s “No Place Like Home” offers textiles on a large scale. Blankets and quilts are the focus as they interpret how community, our environment and sense of belonging all connect to our feeling of “home” and what it means to each of us.

This exhibit is sponsored by Poppy Steele and Hans Op de Beek of Royal Lepage Advance Realty.

In the Discovery Gallery is “More Hot Cheerleaders”. Siobhan Doherty gives us 30 miniature wax sculptures of these well-known pop culture icons. Come by and explore the parallels to The Little Fourteen Year Old Dancer by Degas.

Both exhibits are on display for your viewing pleasure until May 21, 2010.

Admission is by donation. The Campbell River Art Gallery is at 1235 Shopper’s Row, across from the library and in the same buildling as the Visitor’s Centre. The Art Gallery is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon until 5pm.

The Gallery appreciates the support of its members and volunteers, the Campbell River Arts Council, the Friends of the Campbell River Art Gallery, Marna Disbrow, the City of Campbell River, Shaw Cable, Moeller and Co. Chartered Accountants, Areas B, C, and D of the Strathcona Regional District, as well as the BC Gaming Commisson, the BC Arts Council, Canadian Heritage, and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada.

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Art as remedy to indifference

Public land that sits idle, devastated by abuse and neglect, affects they way we view our community.  The Campbell River Art Gallery will host an illustrated talk on Wednesday night, March 31 at 7:00 pm at the Gallery by land artist Oliver Kellhammer. He’ll discuss his restoration of public property ravaged by industrial activity and neglect. 

“Kellhammer is a gifted speaker,” says Gallery Director Jeanette Taylor. “His work is both uplifting and inspiring, a model for positive solutions to our current environmental crisis.”

Kellhammer will describe a number of the sites he’s worked on, bringing an artist’s sensibilities to the transformation of difficult cityscapes like a three-acre site in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. Kellhammer led the process of transforming a place littered with weeds, pet carcasses and needles into a lush community garden. This and other projects have impressed Kellhammer with nature’s surprising ability to rebound.

Oliver Kellhammer is a graduate of the Ontario College of Art, Bainbridge Graduate Institute and the University of British Columbia’s Masters of Fine Arts program. He has taught all over North America. His talk at the Gallery will appeal to not only art lovers but those interested in social values, landscape renewal and community action.

The Gallery also extends an invitation to the public to attend their Annual General Meeting, which precedes Kellhammer’s talk at 6 p.m.  Gallery staff and board will give a fast-paced preview of plans for the coming year, followed by an election of officers.  Attendance at the AGM is free. It costs $5 to attend Kellhammer’s talk if you’re not an Art Gallery member.

Campbell River Art Gallery is in Tyee Plaza, across from the Tidemark theatre. The current exhibitions are open by donation on Tuesday through Saturday from Noon to 5:00 pm. Call 250-287-2261 for more info.

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Kit Pearson’s imagination intensifies Words on the Water

Campbell River bookies (those who read, not those who take bets) congregated in droves at the Maritime Heritage Centre on the weekend for the ninth annual Words on the Water literary festival.

The line up, as usual, was stellar: Andreas Schroeder (thanks for signing Renovating Heaven, which I’ve started reading, and Shaking it Rough, which I haven’t), Annabel Lyon, Susan Musgrave, Gabor Mate, Ronald Wright, Colin Angus, Kit Pearson, and current Haig-Brown writer in residence Harry Thurston, whose poetry left me breathless.

Every year there’s at least one author who I particularly look forward to seeing. This year it was Kit Pearson. Her talk on Saturday afternoon focused on imagination, something I got an extra dose of when it was being doled out. For Kit, playing pretend was a huge part of her after school life, especially the Knights of the Round Table, a theme that made its way into her book A Perfect Gentle Knight.

She also spoke about the positive aspects of imagination – how it can fuel characters and plot in later life – but also how it can overshadow your life if taken to an extreme. This is shown in clear relief in Gentle Knight, particularly in the character of 14 year old Sebastian…

The world of make believe is one Kit knows first hand. When she was 12, the family returned to Kit’s birth place of Edmonton after several years in Vancouver. Leaving her friends and a city she loved was tough on the young girl. Her way of coping with the changes was to retreat into a world of fantasy and reading even more – an escape from reality when the real world was too overwhelming.

I was enchanted to hear Kit read from her Guests of War trilogy. It’s a perfect example of high quality kid’s lit. Set throughout WW II, the books trace the experiences of brother and sister Gavin (and his elephant friend, Creature, who my sock monkies now want to meet) and Norah as they are sent from their home in Kent, England, to live with the well-to-do Ogilive sisters in Toronto. They are beautifully developed characters set against an era I’ve always been interested in. I first read the series some years ago when I borrowed them from the library. I’m now the owner of all three – The Sky is Falling, Looking at the Moon, and The Lights Go On Again – and only two days after the end of this year’s event, they’ve all been read again. But not for the last time.

Scope out Kit’s website at www.kitpearson.com.

“I write because I like to make things up”. What a wonderful reason, Kit. I know the feeling.

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Words on the Water offers wealth of words

The days are longer, bulbs are beginning to poke their green heads through the cool soil in some lucky gardens, and Christmas is off the radar for another year. For this avid reader, that combination means only one thing: it’s soon Words on the Water time again. This year’s event is Friday, March 19 and Saturday, March 20 at the Maritime Heritage Centre.

This year’s lineup  promises to be another winner. Campbell River is fortunate to welcome the following authors:

* Annabel Lyon,  author of The Golden Mean, which was a finalist for the 2009 Rogers Writers’  Trust Fiction Prize, the 2009  Scotiabank Giller Prize, and also in 2009, the Governor General’s Literary Awards – Fiction. The interview I heard on CBC Radio in the fall was compelling and I’m so looking forward to hearing about Aristotle and Alexanders the Great from the writer who brought them to life. Oh yeah – The Golden Mean won the Rogers Writers’  Trust for fiction.

* Gabor Mate, author of In the Realm of the Hungry Ghost – Close Encounters with Addiction. It was published in 2008.  He’s a doctor at a harm reduction facility in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

* Children’s author Kit Pearson, who wrote the brilliant Awake and Dreaming as well as the Guests of War trilogy that tells the story of Nora and Gavin, a brother and sister pair who are sent from England to live in Canada during WW2. I can’t wait to meet her.

* Andreas Schroeder has been a freelance writer for more than 40 years. He’s published poetry, literary critcism, and and and. His most recent book is Renovating Heaven.

* Current Haig-Brown Writer-in-Residence Harry Thurston, whose most recent book is A Place between the Tides, A Naturalist’s Reflections on the Salt Marsh.

* Ronald Wright is the author of What is Amerca, a BC Book Prize finalist. He’s published in more tan 15 langueas. His first novel, A Scientific Romance, was a Globe and Mail Book of the Year.

This ninth annual event gets underway on Friday night. Throughout Saturday, enjoy readings by all the authors and ask questions. Books will be available for sale and you can have them signed too! (I love that).  Saturday night is always tons of fun – it’s the literary cabaret, featuring  the guest writers, music by local musicians, laughter, and gourmet appies.

Be sure to get your Early Bird Pass quickly – they’re bound to sell out. At $65, it gets you into all events and is a terrific deal. They go on sale at the Tidemark theatre Tuesday, February 2. Find out more at www.wordsonthewater.ca . Get ready for a literary bounty that Campbell River hasn’t seen since last year’s Words on the Water!

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Coho Books hosts Mountain Timber author Richard Mackie

If you missed Vancouver Island author Richard Mackie’s appearance at the museum on Saturday, there’s a final  opportunity to buy his newest book, Mountain Timber, and have it signed, all in time for giving to the local history buff on your Christmas list.

Mountain Timber is a most welcome follow up to Richard’s book Island Timber. It’s well written and full of wonderful photographs that help to further the story of the Comox Logging Company.

Meet Richard on Saturday, December 12 from noon until 2:00pm at Coho Books, at 1074 Shoppers Row, in the same block at Cheddar and Co. Contact Pirkko Anderson at 250-287-2336 or email  info@cohobooks.com if you have any questions.

Check out this link for book details from publisher Sono Nis: http://www.sononis.com/book145.stm

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Library welcomes feedback on its vision

The Campbell River library is looking for your contributions to its strategic planning process. Come on down to your branch on Tuesday December 8th starting at 7:00 pm at 1240 Shoppers Row.

Library borrowers living in Campbell River, Cortes Island, Quadra Island, Sayward, Tahsis, Gold River and area are all welcome to attend.
 
This is an opportunity to bring together the public, the library board and staff to develop a common vision and direction for the next three years.

If you have questions, please call Elaine Julian at 250-287-3655.

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Busy day for our new Writer-in-Residence Dec. 5

There are two upcoming chances to meet Harry Thurston, our new Writer-in-Residence, both this Saturday, December 5, 2009. 

The first is at a meet-and-greet at Haig-Brown House from  1:00pm to 3:00pm at Haig-Brown House, 2250 Campbell River Road. It’s organized by the Museum at Campbell River, which is also the sponsor of the Writer in Residence program. Call 250-287-3103 for more information.

And then that evening, catch Harry at a reading from 7:30pm to 9:00pm at  Still Water Books and Art, #120-1260 Shoppers Row, between the library and PhotoTech. This literary event is sponsored by The Writers’ Union of Canada. Phone 250-850-3103 or email info@stillwaterbooksandart.ca for more information.

For more information about Harry Thurston, check out    http://www.writers.ns.ca/Writers/hthurston.html

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Global crafts, baking, and an old-fashioned tea make Christmas a ton of fun

One of the things I love about this time of year is the multitude of Christmas related events sponsored bya variety of groups, including non-profit organizations. They feature funky gifts as well as opportunities to socialize with friends and neighbors and meet new peeps. Here are some suggestions:

The Fair Trade Global Craft Fair is an event unlike any other. It’s a chance to browse through a host of fun, environmentally sustainable gift ideas from around the world. Beaded jewellry, journals, brightly colored textiles, handcrafted wooden carvings, musical instruments, and food are just some of the items on offer. Coffee, snacks, and lunch will be provided by students involved in the International Co-op Program. See you at Timberline this Saturday, November 28 from 10:00am until 4:00pm. Give Brenda a call at 250-287-8198 if you need more information.

The Sportsplex in Willow Point is where the Toy and Craft Show is happening this weekend, Saturday, N0vember 28 and Sunday, November 29 from 10am to 4:00pm both days. Call Parks, Recreation and Culture at 250-286-1161 with your questions.

 This weekend is a popular time for Christmas events. Step back in time to the Victorian era with the Order of the Eastern Star, Chas Maria Chapter, for their Candlelight Tea at the Masonic Hall at 2:00pm.  There will be home baking and door prizes. The Masonic Hall is just over the bridge at 2905 North Island Highway. Cost is a modest $10 for dainty sandwiches and tea served in a fine bone china tea cup. Wear a hat and gloves and get into the spirit of an old-fashioned Christmas. Monies raised support Eastern Star’s cancer projects.

And coming up early in December -

Homemade baking and crafts are the focus for the SPCA Christmas Bazaar on Saturday, December 5 at Campbell River common. Check it out between 9:30am and 5:30pm. Crafts can be dropped off at the shelter on Merecroft Road. Due to the lack of space at the shelter, please drop off your baking on the morning of the event at Campbell River Common. For further info call the shelter at 250-286-6131.

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Book signing features “Mountain Timber”

Do you have a local history buff on your Christmas list? Have I got a top-notch book suggestion for you.

Join author Dr. Richard Mackie for a presentation and signing featuring his new book, Mountain Timber, on Saturday, November 28 at the Campbell River Museum from 1pm to 3pm. 

Get a glimpse of the lives of loggers, families and the communities that were employed by the Comox Logging Company. Dr. Mackie’s  slide show presentation reveals never before seen images of Vancouver Island’s logging heritage from over 60 private collections

Check out a review in the Times-Colonist at  http://www.timescolonist.com/entertainment/This+book+sees+forest+trees/2225735/story.html

Call the Museum 250-287-3103 to reserve your spot. Cost is $5 per person.

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Art Gallery’s Christmas Arts and Crafts Market offers cool gifts

Let the Art Gallery’s Christmas Arts and Crafts Market help you this Christmas shopping season. 

Last Christmas there was one person on my gift-buying list who was a particular challenge. I wanted something fun but without a hefty price tag, to be honest. I was doing errands one afternoon when the Christmas Market sign at the Art Gallery/Visitor Info Centre building caught my eye. I made a quick detour and came out a few minutes later with a huge smile on my face.

I found the most funky handmade magnet that included local driftwood. The recipient was absolutely thrilled and I was pleased to give a gift that was so genuinely well received.

The Christmas Market is now open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 5:00pm until Christmas Eve. Enjoy late shopping until 9:00pm on Saturday, November 28 as part of the Downtown Starlight Shopping evening.
They’re located at 1235 Shoppers Row, in the Tyee Plaza, right beside the spiffy new Spirit Square. Call 250-287-2261 or visit online at www.crartgallery.ca.

When you shop at the Gallery‛s Christmas Arts & Crafts Market  you get a classy handcrafted gift that reflects
our local arts and culture community. You support not only your local artisans but Art Gallery programs too. You can’t beat that for value!

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