The Comox Valley Art Gallery will celebrate its summer programming with a reception, welcoming ceremony, artist remarks and poetry reading on Wednesday, July 20, starting at 6 p.m.
The event, which takes place on the opening night of a three-day symposium on cultural mapping, will highlight a full summer of artistic programing including the exhibition MAP: Make/Art/Place, all-ages participatory Make Art Wednesdays, artist talks, residencies, site-specific installations and more.
The exhibition MAP runs at CVAG from July 12 to Sept. 17. It features the work of local artist Clive Powsey and visiting Prairie artists Barbara Meneley and Joanne Bristol.
The three artists bring diverse perspectives and inquiry related to mapping, identity, and sense of place. The multi-faceted show is taking place in conjunction with Where is Here?, a symposium on cultural mapping and related art events from July 20 to 22.
MAP is the first residency collaboration between the gallery, McLoughlin Gardens, and the School of Fine Art and Design at North Island College.
“This is an important milestone for CVAG,” says curator Angela Somerset. “We are really pleased to be able to house our visiting artists at a beautiful residence, while they are able to interact with Clive Powsey at both North Island College and the gallery.”
The exhibition MAP includes drawings, video, prints, performance, sculpture and community participation.
Throughout the summer CVAG will also host Make Art Wednesdays, an all-ages interactive event in which participants will respond to the work presented in the MAP exhibition. Admission is by donation and materials are provided.
The cultural mapping symposium, Where is Here?, is a partnership between CVAG and Vancouver Island University. It includes keynote speakers from international to local, panel discussions. There are various cost options for attending. Visit www.whereishereculturalmapping.com for details, and to register.
CVAG has organized art events that are free and open to the public for each evening of the symposium.
For more details on CVAG’s summer programming, call (250) 338-6211 or visit www.comoxvalleyartgallery.com
CVAG summer programming schedule:
MAP exhibition runs at CVAG from July 12 to Sept. 17.
Make Art Wednesdays run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on July 13, 20, 27 and August 10, 17 and 24.
Artist talk with Barbara Meneley and Joanne Bristol will take place July 14, noon, at the Shadbolt Studios of North Island College
Reception and welcoming for the summer program will take place at CVAG, 6 p.m. July 20, featuring the K’umugwe Dancers and poets Matt Rader and Cornelia Hoogland.
The Where is Here? symposium on cultural mapping will take place at the Native Sons Hall July 21 and 22.
Site visits for place-based works by Andy Everson and Karver Everson, will start at 5 p.m. on July 21. Register in advance by calling 250.338.6211.
The symposium closing event takes place July 23, 8 p.m., starting at Native Sons Hall. It will feature a video program and performances with George Littlechild, Liz Carter, Steven Thomas Davies, Lindsay Delaronde and collaborative curator Toby Lawrence.
TALK WALK MAKE will take place July 23 starting at 10 a.m. at North Island College Shadbolt Studios. This event features a group exhibition, an artist talk with Clive Powsey, and a trip to Mount Washington. Cost is $10, including lunch.
