Arts and culture

Pulcherie Mboussi organizes AfriCa Fest to help newcomers feel at home. (Kazakiz)

‘A space for me to feel at home’: AfriCa Fest set for May in Victoria

AfriCa Fest’s Pulcherie Mboussi uses dance, music and food to bring together small but diverse African community

 

Kevin Strelaeff points out one of his first tattoos. (Tim Collins)

The Good, the Bad, and the “What the Hell were you thinking?”

Seven things to know before you get yourself a tattoo

  • Jan 25, 2023

 

The Bateman Gallery is searching for a new location that will allow for more visitors and interactive exhibits. (Black Press Media file photo)

Victoria’s Bateman Gallery moving from Steamship Terminal home

Foundation aims to ‘inspire thousands of global visitors’ with new location after 10 years

 

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria announces seasoned veteran as its new director

Nancy Noble will take the reins as gallery continues plan to move downtown

Art Gallery of Greater Victoria.
Laura Davis, president of the Arts and Culture Colwood Society, said the group’s first year was a success, including the installation of this Emily Carr interpretive sign near Royal Bay. Members and staff are looking forward to another year of bringing the community together through art. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)

Arts and Culture Colwood Society bringing community together through the arts

Group is back for a second year offering classes, art shows and performances

Laura Davis, president of the Arts and Culture Colwood Society, said the group’s first year was a success, including the installation of this Emily Carr interpretive sign near Royal Bay. Members and staff are looking forward to another year of bringing the community together through art. (Justin Samanski-Langille/News Staff)
Art pieces produced by some of the members of Fibres and Beyond include (from left) a jacket by Gail Erickson; Whispers, a doll by Linda Danielson, and Kusaki Zome, Misty forest by Elizabeth Tanner. (Courtesy of Fibres and Beyond)

Fibres and Beyond celebrates 20 years of shows with Metchosin exhibition

The textile artists group has been meeting every month since 2002

Art pieces produced by some of the members of Fibres and Beyond include (from left) a jacket by Gail Erickson; Whispers, a doll by Linda Danielson, and Kusaki Zome, Misty forest by Elizabeth Tanner. (Courtesy of Fibres and Beyond)
The Franco-Ontarian vocal trio, Les Chiclettes, perform on March 17 at 8 p.m. at the Victoria Event Centre to start a three-day immersion of culture and festivities for Franco Fest. (Les Chiclettes/Facebook)

3 days of French culture fill downtown Victoria venues

Victoria Francophone Society hosts inaugural Franco Fest, March 17 to 19

The Franco-Ontarian vocal trio, Les Chiclettes, perform on March 17 at 8 p.m. at the Victoria Event Centre to start a three-day immersion of culture and festivities for Franco Fest. (Les Chiclettes/Facebook)
Artist talks and demonstrations will be part of the Sooke Fine Arts Show when it returns on July 21. (Serena Haley Photography)

Sooke Fine Arts Show eyes return to community centre

In-person show returns after two-year hiatus

Artist talks and demonstrations will be part of the Sooke Fine Arts Show when it returns on July 21. (Serena Haley Photography)
Someone Like Me co-directors and partners Sean Horlor, left, and Steve J. Adams. (Photo courtesy of Grady Mitchell/National Film Board of Canada)

Saanich-raised filmmaker’s doc melds struggles of gay asylum seeker, his sponsors

Sean Horlor’s Someone Like Me plays at the Victoria Film Festival on Feb. 5

Someone Like Me co-directors and partners Sean Horlor, left, and Steve J. Adams. (Photo courtesy of Grady Mitchell/National Film Board of Canada)
Artist Laura Rechwan

BC Culture Days offers month-long arts and culture series

Re:Imagine and Re:Connect

  • Sep 22, 2021
Artist Laura Rechwan
Self-Indulgence, Gear Head sculpture by Laura Rechwan. (Courtesy Laura Rechwan)

Colwood artist crafts interactive, responsive showcase for BC Culture Days

Viewers called on to share response on art

Self-Indulgence, Gear Head sculpture by Laura Rechwan. (Courtesy Laura Rechwan)
Performers engage in a friendship dance at a previous One Wave Gathering event. This year’s events get underway Sept. 9. (Photo courtesy of Pacific Peoples’ Partnership)

One Wave Gathering celebrates Indigenous culture across Greater Victoria

14th annual event inspired by themes of healing and resurgence

Performers engage in a friendship dance at a previous One Wave Gathering event. This year’s events get underway Sept. 9. (Photo courtesy of Pacific Peoples’ Partnership)
A writer studying in England drew from her roots growing up in Sooke for a story that’s been short-listed for a prestigious international prize.

Former Sooke resident up for prestigious writing award

Cara Marks earns nomination for the 2021 Commonwealth Short Story Prize

A writer studying in England drew from her roots growing up in Sooke for a story that’s been short-listed for a prestigious international prize.
Colwood resident Maria Curcic shows off a one-of-a-kind hat that she created. Curcic is one of several artists that took part in the annual Stinking Fish Studio Tour. (Contributed - Maria Curcic)

Curtain closes on Stinking Fish Studio Tour

The Stinking Fish Studio Tour will live on through the lasting legacy…

Colwood resident Maria Curcic shows off a one-of-a-kind hat that she created. Curcic is one of several artists that took part in the annual Stinking Fish Studio Tour. (Contributed - Maria Curcic)
Sooke artist Jessica Ruth Freedman is one of nine virtual in-residence artists who share the creative process, conduct webinars, write and offer sage advice with artsUNITE, a free online wayfinding platform for artists. (Contributed - Jessica Ruth Freedman)

Sooke artist joins artsUNITE, getting creative through pandemic

National program brings much-needed support to arts community

Sooke artist Jessica Ruth Freedman is one of nine virtual in-residence artists who share the creative process, conduct webinars, write and offer sage advice with artsUNITE, a free online wayfinding platform for artists. (Contributed - Jessica Ruth Freedman)
The show winner Gloria Ainsworth Mount’s work titled “Islander Dahlia” for the 2020 spring exhibit. The Spring Juried Exhibition for 2021 will showcase at the McMillan Arts Centre from April 6 until May 2. (Submitted photo)

Parksville’s MAC to host Federation of Canadian Artists juried exhibition in April

2021 marks 25th anniversary of event for chapter

The show winner Gloria Ainsworth Mount’s work titled “Islander Dahlia” for the 2020 spring exhibit. The Spring Juried Exhibition for 2021 will showcase at the McMillan Arts Centre from April 6 until May 2. (Submitted photo)
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)
The Sooke Fine Arts Show will be online again this year, showcasing unique artworks from Vancouver Island and B.C.’s coastal island artists from July 23 to Aug. 2. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Fine Arts Show goes virtual for second year in a row

Art exhibition and show set for July 23 to Aug. 2

The Sooke Fine Arts Show will be online again this year, showcasing unique artworks from Vancouver Island and B.C.’s coastal island artists from July 23 to Aug. 2. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
Crimson Coast Dance Society’s African Connections 2021 kicks off on Feb. 6 with a discussion and film screening with Kenyan dancer and choreographer Fernando Anuang’a. (Photo courtesy Ronan Liétar)

Nanaimo’s Crimson Coast Dance Society unveils Black History Month programming

‘African Connections 2021’ to include online dance, music, stories and more

Crimson Coast Dance Society’s African Connections 2021 kicks off on Feb. 6 with a discussion and film screening with Kenyan dancer and choreographer Fernando Anuang’a. (Photo courtesy Ronan Liétar)
Melissa Martin from the Rollin Art Centre displays one of the late Robert Aller’s portraits that is part of the art gallery’s permanent collection. Some pieces from the Rollin’s collection will be exhibited when the gallery re-opens in February 2021. (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 displays one of the late Robert Aller’s portraits that is part of the art gallery’s permanent collection. Some pieces from the Rollin’s collection will be exhibited when the gallery re-opens in February 2021. (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)