These guidelines are for artists wishing to exhibit in the Comox Valley Art Gallery:
DEADLINE: January 31 of each year for the following exhibition year for the The Contemporary Gallery which is programmed at least one year in advance. CVAG accepts artist proposals throughout the year and does not have a deadline for submissions for the other exhibit spaces.
Please Note: Deadline extended to 5pm, February 18, 2012.

Click here for Calls For Entry, Submission Guidelines, Gallery Floor Plans and Sample Contract

Please Note: Prior to 2012 the 'Contemporary Gallery' was named the 'Public Gallery' and the 'Community Gallery' was the 'Arts & Craft Gallery'

In Place / Displaced
January 14 to March 3, 2012 - Contemporary Gallery

Haruko Okano (Vancouver BC) - installation
Maria Whiteman (Edmonton AB) - large scale photography
Pamela Speight (Nanaimo BC) - drawings

Opening Reception: Friday January 13 from 7-9pm, artists in attendance
Art Talk: Friday January 13 at 8pm during opening reception
Panel Discussion:  Saturday January 14, time TBA – invited panel members will be from the BCSPCA, Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society, and Project Watershed.  Discussion topics will centre around local habitat/conservation, animal rights and wildlife rehabilitation.

This exhibit consists of a selection of artworks by three artists presenting installation, large format photography and drawings together to activate a dialogue surrounding the human relationship with animals, the phenomena of habitat/territory and invasive species.  In addition to an artist talk, there are plans for a panel discussion designed to engage feedback from animal rights and environmental and or conservation groups:  The British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Mountainaire Avian Rescue Society, and Project Watershed..

Haruko Okano is a Vancouver based artist educated at the Doone School of Fine Arts, Kitchener ON, completing post grad studies at Central Tech, ON followed by a 2 year curatorial apprenticeship at the Grunt Gallery in Vancouver BC. Since 1974, she has exhibited widely in BC, the Yukon, Ontario, Mexico, USA, and internationally. Her works are located in the collection of the Library of Congress, USA, Surrey Art Gallery, Japanese Canadian Citizens Assn, BC Provincial Art Bank and the Canada Council Art Bank.

Maria Whiteman lives and works in Edmonton Alberta. She completed a BFA at the University of North Carolina and an MFA at The Pennsylvania State University. She is currently a Scholar for the Canadian Institute for Research in Computing and the Arts and is the Assistant Professor of Fine Arts, Dept. of Art & Design at the University of Alberta. She has exhibited in Canada for the last decade.

Pamela Speight is based in Nanaimo BC. She completed a BFA at Emily Carr University and an MFA at Ohio State University, and has been a Professor of drawing and painting at Vancouver Island University since 1991. She has exhibited throughout the USA and Canada since 1985. Her works are in the collection of the Burnaby Art Gallery, The Richmond Art Gallery, Malaspina Printmaker’s Society Archives and the Canada Council Art Bank.
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Animalmorphic
January 14 to March 3, 2012 - Community Gallery

Open call community exhibition

Opening Reception: Friday January 13 from 7-9pm, artists in attendance

In conjunction with the main exhibit, In Place / Displaced, CVAG invites the community to submit artworks responding to the topic of humanity’s relationship to animals and our practice of attributing human qualities towards them; consider animals both wild and domestic.  How does this practice affect how we see, feel and think about animals?  In its most prevalent form, we see animals as characters in fables, stories, and legends.  Nowadays, how do we continue this relationship in popular media?  Submissions can also be a visual exploration and dialogue of how we perceive animals in our/their shared habitat, animal rights, conservation and/or stewardship.

Please see the CALL FOR ENTRY for full details and how to submit artwork.
Fill out an ENTRY FORM for your submission.
Artwork will be accepted at CVAG on Saturday January 7th, and Monday January 9th, from 10am - 5pm.
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My Utopian Comox Valley
Comox Valley Art Gallery / Comox Valley Community  Arts Council Members Juried Art Exhibition
March 10 to April 21, 2012 - Contemporary Gallery

Opening Reception: Friday March 9 from 7-9pm, artists in attendance
Awards ceremony:  Friday March 9 at 8pm, during the Opening Reception

The CVAG and CVCAC co-present this exhibition which features a diversity of artwork by the Comox Valley visual arts community. All genres of visual arts will be exhibited . . . examples are drawings, paintings, prints, multi-media, mixed media, sculpture, ceramics, photography, and fibre arts.

Please see the CALL FOR ENTRY for full details and how to submit artwork.

Fill out an ENTRY FORM for your submission(s).

Artwork will be accepted at Comox Valley Art Gallery, 580 Duncan Avenue, Courtenay on Saturday February 25 and Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday February 27, 28, 29, 2012 from 10am - 5pm

Click here for an Emailable Version of the Invitation (pdf file)
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Diverse Approaches to Watercolours
March 10 to April 21, 2012 - Community Gallery

Gordon Greenhough (Comox BC) - watercolour paintings
Tony Martin (Courtenay BC) - watercolour paintings
Clive Powsey (Cumberland BC) - watercolour paintings

Opening Reception: Friday March 9 from 7-9pm, artists in attendance

In this exhibit, three Comox Valley artists present their explorations in watercolour painting.  From light, shadow, and the precipitations of pigments emerge the natural world images of Gordon Greenhough.  In Clive Powsey’s alpine landscapes he merges the “horrifyingly beautiful with varying degrees of menace”.  Tony Martin’s subject matter is derived from his visual travel diaries and the home environment.

Gordon Greenhough is a graduate of the University of Calgary where he pursued his career in Education and Fine Arts.  For twenty seven years, he taught Fine Arts to secondary students in Calgary.

Tony Martin was educated at St. Martin’s School of Art (now Central St. Martin’s) and Alberta College of Art (Post Grad Painting), and recently retired as Director / Curator of Comox Valley Art Gallery, Courtenay, BC after 19 years.

Clive Powsey studied drawing, painting and printmaking at the Ontario College of Art, graduating in 1980 and has exhibited his work regularly since 1981 in group and solo exhibitions.  He has also worked in animated film and television with screen credits as an art director and background artist/stylist.)
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From the Treasure Box - A Look Inside Children’s Imaginations
March 10 to April 21, 2012 - George Sawchuk Gallery

Mixed media artworks by students ages 5 to 12
tutored by Comox Valley artist Tracy Kobus

Opening Reception: Friday March 9 from 7-9pm, artists in attendance

This is an exhibit of artwork by children, ages 5-12, created in Tracy Kobus’ kids art classes in the past year.  In these private group classes, Tracy shares a simple art lesson such as; how to create the illusion of distance, make shapes appear 3-D or compose an entire picture.  The kids then transform these new ideas into amazing individual creations.

Throughout her art classes Tracy lets the kids know that their “imagination” is like a golden treasure box inside themselves that holds a bottomless source of ideas; when they ask it to, it will open!
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TBA
Emily Carr University Graduates from North Island College’s External BFA Program
April 28 to June 2, 2012 - Contemporary Gallery

Group exhibit: Names to be announced

Opening Reception: Friday April 27 from 7-9pm, artists in attendance
Art Talk: ECU Graduates– date and time TBA

In partnership with Emily Carr University (Vancouver BC) and North Island College (Comox Valley campus), this exhibit presents the culmination of the undergraduates’ studies.

Students graduating from this program present exploratory and experimental works in a variety of media that challenge and intrigue.

CVAG recognizes the importance of fostering the art practices of young and emerging talent.
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What We Wear with What We Wear
April 28 – June 2, 2012 - Community Gallery

Open call community exhibition

Opening Reception: Friday April 27 from 7-9pm, artists in attendance

The CVAG invites the community to submit artworks responding to the topic “What We Wear with What We Wear”.  In this exhibit, wearable art accessories will be the focus; hats, gloves, scarves, jewellery, belts, and bags.  Get creative, think outlandish and submit a unique accessory, an artwork about or created with accessories!

Please see the CALL FOR ENTRY for full details and how to submit artwork.
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Glory Boy
June 9 – July 7, 2012 - Contemporary Gallery

Ted Goodden (London, Ontario)
stained glass, collage, etchings and story books

Opening Reception: Friday June 8 from 7-9pm, artists in attendance
Art Talk: Ted Goodden – date and time TBA
Workshop:  Date and time TBA
Film:  'Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?'- date/time TBA
Education: activities for children and youth include tours and activities

London, Ontario Artist Ted Goodden will present an exhibit titled Glory Boy based on an illustrated book he authored in 2002.  A Canada Council Writer’s grant enabled him to tour elementary schools and read to students in Ontario, which gave shape to a series of stained glass illustrations of a fable about how the first queen bee came into existence. Underlying this fable is an inquiry into human manipulation of, and interaction with, the eco-system.

Ted Goodden completed his BFA at the University of Alberta, apprenticed in stained glass for 3 years with Theo Lubbers in Montreal, QC and 1 year as a journeyman apprentice with Patrick Reyntiens in England and holds a City and Guilds Certificate in Architectural Glass from Swansea College of Art, Wales.  His past cultural work includes serving as Board Member of Artists in Stained Glass, ON, and London Regional Art and Historical Museums and executive member of CARFAC (Canadian Artists Representation), London chapter.   Ted was the Stained glass workshop leader at Lester B. Pearson School for the Arts (Victoria, BC) from 2006-10 and continues to create, teach and lecture on the topic.
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Striking Gold
June 9 – July 7, 2012 - Community Gallery

Cumberland Candleworks (Cumberland, BC)
candles and beeswax creations

Comox Valley Camera Club
group photography show

Opening Reception: Friday June 8 from 7-9pm, artists in attendance
Film: 'Queen of the Sun: What Are the Bees Telling Us?'- date/time TBA
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Diagrammatic
July 14 – July 28, 2012 - Contemporary Gallery & Community Gallery

Paintings, drawings, mixed media, sculpture and other art objects

Peeta (Venice, Italy)
Tim Barnard (Vancouver BC)
Taka Sudo (Vancouver BC)
Jā Witcombe (Comox Valley BC)
Phresha Le Vandale (Vancouver BC)

Opening Reception: Friday July 13 from 7-9pm, artists in attendance
Art Jam: Offsite event at Wallfarmers studio/gallery  - date and time TBA
Art Talk: date and time TBA
Workshop: Date and time TBA
Education: activities for children and youth include tours and activities

An exhibition of street art, graffiti art and murals by Italian artist Peeta (BFA equivalent Venice Design University), Vancouver artists Tim Barnard (certificate in painting, Yale University, BFA, Alberta College of Art & Design), Taka Sudo (self-taught artist, Law Degree, Rikkyo St. Paul’s University, Japan), Phresha La Vandale (Fine Arts Diploma, Sheridan College, ON, Graphic Design Diploma, Humber College ON) and Comox Valley artist Jā Witcombe (BFA Emily Carr University) will examine graffiti as a legitimate form of art, presenting a wide array of styles for aesthetic contemplation.  Graffiti is often thought of as invasive and problematic… territory is claimed, vandalism is cited. The community building potential inherent to this art form will be postulated in this exhibition.
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Carvers of the West Coast First Nations
August 4 – September 22, 2012 - Contemporary Gallery & Community Gallery

Tom Hunt (Kwagiulth)
Charlie Johnson (Kwaguilth)
Tim Alfred (Kwakwaka’wakw)
Gary Cranmer (Kwakiutl)
Wayne Alfred (Kwakwaka’wakw)
Marcus Alfred (Kwakwaka’wakw)
Troy Roberts (Weiwakum)

Guest Curator Dallas Stevenson

Opening Reception: Friday August 3 from 7-9pm, artists in attendance
Art Talk: date and time TBA
Panel Discussion: discourse around the hereditary rights to imagery date and time TBA
Education: activities for children and youth are in discussion date and time TBA

Comox Valley based guest curator Dallas Stevenson (BFA Emily Carr University), working with Michael Frank, hereditary chief of the K'ómoks First Nation will present an exhibition of West Coast First Nations artists:  Tom Hunt (Kwagiulth), Charlie Johnson (Kwaguilth), Tim Alfred (Kwakwaka’wakw), Geary Cranmer (Kwakiutl), Wayne Alfred (Kwakwaka’wakw), Marcus Alfred (Kwakwaka’wakw), and Troy Roberts (Weiwakum).  This exhibit investigates issues surrounding cultural appropriation and cultural ownership, drawing attention to the importance of context and relationship in presentation, and to the concept of hereditary rights. Here, issues surrounding cultural ‘trespassing’ will be explored.   Plans to develop a panel discussion are in process, to which community leaders will be invited from a wide array of sectors.


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Screen Printing: Ad, Art or Alchemy?
September 29 – November 3, 2012 - Contemporary Gallery

Opening Reception: Friday September 28 from 7-9pm, artists in attendance
Art Talk: date and time TBA
Workshops and Demonstrations: dates and time TBA
Education: activities for children and youth are in discussion date and time TBA

Comox Valley based screen printer Andy MacDougall presents a compendium of artworks from his collection and on loan from private collections (regional to international) based on the process of serigraph print making.  Included in this exhibit are artworks by First Nations artists, contemporary visual arts, rock posters, t-shirts, textile art, snowboards, and skateboards. This show examines the vast world of screen printing and the integration and application of this art form into everyday life while challenging viewers to question definitions of art and how it is produced.  Training workshops, school tours and an artist talk will form the extensions of this show.

Andy MacDougall, ASPT is a screen printer, consultant, writer, and member of both the American Poster Institute (API) and the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA). He was elected to the internationally based Academy of Screen Printing Technology (ASPT) in 2007, for his writing, demonstrations, and promotion of the screen printing process in North America and worldwide.
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Give Me the Splendid Sun
September 29 to November 3, 2012 - Community Gallery

An exhibit of Artist Trading Cards - based on the theme of the sun; warmth, sunny holidays, destinations, astronomy, astrophysics, mythology and/or religion, happy summer memories, ripening crops and the harvest, use your imagination...

Opening Reception: Friday September 28 from 7-9pm, artists in attendance
Workshops and Demonstrations: dates and time TBA
ATC Trading Session: dates and time TBA

The modern form of the Artist Trading Card (ATC) movement was popularized in Switzerland by M. Vänçi Stirnemann in 1996.  ATC’s are miniature works of art measuring 63 mm X 89 mm (2.5”x3.5”) that are traded rather than sold.  The same size as baseball cards; they are meant to fit inside card collector sheets or sleeves.  They are created using every theme, material and art style imaginable.
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38th Annual CVAG Christmas Craft Fair
November 16 – December 29, 2012
Contemporary Gallery, Community Gallery and CVAG Gift Shop

Craft Fair Opening: Friday November 16th, 10am

Handmade and locally created original pottery, glass, wood, fabric, Jewellery, Ornaments, Speciality Foods, Stocking Stuffers and Much More!

If you are interested in submitting your work to sell in our Christmas Craft Fair please fill out a Christmas Registration Form (PDF File) and return it to the Gallery Gift Shop (Registration Form will be available in August 2012).
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We gratefully acknowledge support from the Government of Canada, the Province of BC, British Columbia Arts Council, BC Gaming, City of Courtenay, Town of Comox, Comox Valley Regional District Areas A, B & C, Membership, Private Donation and Volunteers


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