Arts and culture

Former City of Victoria Youth Poet Laureate Neko Smart coaches Victoria High School’s poetry slam team. (File contributed/ Jeremy Loveday)

City of Victoria seeks 2022 Youth Poet Laureate applications

The successful youth candidate from the CRD or Gulf Islands will be involved in city arts activities

 

Vernon’s Deborah Wilson created a giant jade sculpture at a Victoria complex, which took 16 months to create. (Contributed)

Okanagan artist unfolds giant art sculpture in Victoria

Lotus Unfolding took 16 months to create in the Wade courtyard

 

Darrel J. McLeod is nominated for the Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust Prize for Nonfiction for his book Peyakow: Reclaiming Cree Dignity, A Memoir. (Contributed - Douglas & McIntyre)

Sooke author among finalists for $60K Hilary Weston Writers’ Trust prize

Prize is the richest annual literary award for Canadian nonfiction

 

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 rendering shows how Reliance Properties’ proposed developments for the Capital Iron lands would fit in the city’s new arts and innovation district. (Courtesy Reliance Properties)

New Art Gallery home part of Victoria’s first arts and innovation district proposal

Reliance Properties’ plan includes multitude of arts-oriented, industry spaces among other amenities

A rendering shows how Reliance Properties’ proposed developments for the Capital Iron lands would fit in the city’s new arts and innovation district. (Courtesy Reliance Properties)
Throughout its first summer, the Arts and Culture Colwood Society raised an arts show, Flatdeck Musical Theatre Presentation and an Emily Carr Interpretive sign located on Painter Trail. (Courtesy Arts and Culture Colwood Society)

New Arts and Culture Society of Colwood seeks community support

Veteran members aim to fund programming worthy of provincial, federal grants

Throughout its first summer, the Arts and Culture Colwood Society raised an arts show, Flatdeck Musical Theatre Presentation and an Emily Carr Interpretive sign located on Painter Trail. (Courtesy Arts and Culture Colwood Society)
Singer-songwriter and keyboardist Helena Descoteau will perform her first solo exhibition Thursday evening, Aug. 19 at Willows Park as the opening act for the Soul Shakers’ Alexander Ferguson. (Courtesy of Helena Descoteau)

Singer-songwriter performs solo for first time in Oak Bay concert

Helena Descoteau plans original songs as opening act for Alexander Ferguson

Singer-songwriter and keyboardist Helena Descoteau will perform her first solo exhibition Thursday evening, Aug. 19 at Willows Park as the opening act for the Soul Shakers’ Alexander Ferguson. (Courtesy of Helena Descoteau)
Governor General award-winning author and Otter Point resident Darrel McLeod will launch his new book Peyakow at the upcoming Authors and Readers festival in Sooke. (Contributed - Douglas & McIntyre)

Sooke launches first-ever literary festival

Workshops, author readings among activities

Governor General award-winning author and Otter Point resident Darrel McLeod will launch his new book Peyakow at the upcoming Authors and Readers festival in Sooke. (Contributed - Douglas & McIntyre)
Next year’s Sooke Fine Arts Show is set for July 21 to Aug. 1. (File: Black Press Media)

Growth In Confinement wins people’s choice award at Sooke Fine Arts Show

Unique ring created by artist Lainey Rae Thompson

Next year’s Sooke Fine Arts Show is set for July 21 to Aug. 1. (File: Black Press Media)
Victoria will host the Canadian Francophone Games in July 2022. The event, shown here in New Brunswick in 2017, brings together French-speaking students from across the country in a variety of competitions. (Photo courtesy of Canadian Francophone Games)

The Francophone Games are on again for Greater Victoria

Multifaceted event cancelled for 2021 is a go for 2022, organizers say

Victoria will host the Canadian Francophone Games in July 2022. The event, shown here in New Brunswick in 2017, brings together French-speaking students from across the country in a variety of competitions. (Photo courtesy of Canadian Francophone Games)
Busker Mark Weston plays his accordion outside Munro’s Books along Government Street. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)

Buskers fill downtown Victoria with joy as pandemic subsides

Artists, musicians happy to perform again with increased foot traffic on Government Street

Busker Mark Weston plays his accordion outside Munro’s Books along Government Street. (Evert Lindquist/News Staff)
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

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)
Fred Dobbs and Paul Olson do some weekend work on their pirate ship sand sculpture as part of the Township Community Arts Council’s Sculpture Splash event in Bullen Park. The full creation is due for completion and unveiling on Wednesday, June 30. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

Swashbuckling scene emerging from sand in Esquimalt’s Bullen Park

Project a sequel of sorts to Township Community Arts Council’s Sculpture Splash in 2014

Fred Dobbs and Paul Olson do some weekend work on their pirate ship sand sculpture as part of the Township Community Arts Council’s Sculpture Splash event in Bullen Park. The full creation is due for completion and unveiling on Wednesday, June 30. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)
A screenshot of the First Peoples Cultural Councils First Peoples’ Map. (First Peoples Cultural Council)

Online resource blends B.C.’s Indigenous language, art and culture

North Saanich advisor says initiative supports urgent need to preserve Indigenous languages

A screenshot of the First Peoples Cultural Councils First Peoples’ Map. (First Peoples Cultural Council)
Should Have Seen It Coming, a hyper-realistic painting by Sean Yelland, will be displayed at the Madrona Gallery this month in his new solo exhibit, Chasing Rainbows.

Blooms, bright colours coming to Greater Victoria galleries this month

At The Galleries: check out what’s on display in June

Should Have Seen It Coming, a hyper-realistic painting by Sean Yelland, will be displayed at the Madrona Gallery this month in his new solo exhibit, Chasing Rainbows.
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.
The Sooke Regional Spotlight, presented by the Federation of B.C. Writers (FBCW), features readings by nine established and emerging Sooke Region authors. (Pixabay.com)

Sooke authors to shine in province-wide event

Nine local writers star in an online ‘spotlight’ presentation

The Sooke Regional Spotlight, presented by the Federation of B.C. Writers (FBCW), features readings by nine established and emerging Sooke Region authors. (Pixabay.com)
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)
Claremont Secondary’s year-long drama class will perform TRAP, a thrilling play by Stephen Gregg, virtually from April 14-17 at 7 p.m. (Image courtesy Colin Plant)

Claremont’s drama students to ‘TRAP’ audience’s attention with thrilling virtual performances

Grade 9-12 drama class will perform via livestream from April 14-17

Claremont Secondary’s year-long drama class will perform TRAP, a thrilling play by Stephen Gregg, virtually from April 14-17 at 7 p.m. (Image courtesy Colin Plant)