Home Blog Page 141

Drake Road plans shift 

Robb Magley
-
0
Drake Road plans shift 

A long-languishing supportive housing project on Salt Spring Island has a new timeline, will help more people than previously planned, and will include new units of affordable housing.  

Among what is now 36 total units planned for BC Housing’s project at 161 Drake Road, 32 will be supportive housing — and four will be “affordable rental housing for low- to moderate-income residents,” according to a letter to staff published as an appendix to the Capital Regional District’s (CRD) Hospitals and Housing Committee agenda Wednesday, April 3.  

BC Housing had announced in 2022 it would build 28 units of supportive housing at the 5.5-acre parcel back in January of 2022; the province used its authority under the Interpretation Act — commonly known as “statutory immunity” — to bypass the local zoning process, predicting an opening date for the facility that summer.  

But new details on the project, including plans for new construction, an elevator to increase accessibility and air-conditioning for all units, indicate an updated project schedule, showing plans for development by Vancouver Island-based Muchalat Group and opening the new homes “before the end of 2025.”  

“Using new construction also allows us to increase the number of units from 28 to 36,” read the letter from to BC Housing Vancouver Island Regional Development director Sarah Smith, “providing eight additional homes for vulnerable Salt Spring Island residents.”  

The four new “affordable” rental units will be ground-oriented, according to Smith, adding those would have a separate entrance from that for the supportive housing units.  

Salt Spring CRD Director Gary Holman called the delays to date “frustrating,” but said he was pleased with the planned improvements — despite promises of much earlier completion.  

“And in the end, I believe the over 30 units of housing with ongoing supports for our most vulnerable will be hugely beneficial for our community, for which I’m very grateful,” he added. 

No rental rates for the affordable units have been announced. 

BC Housing did publish a new rendering of what is now a three-storey building, along with other updates, to letstalkhousingbc.ca/salt-spring-island-supportive-housing. 

Youth exhibit comes ‘Home’ 

Contributed Article
-
0
Youth exhibit comes ‘Home’ 

By Phöenix Kelley  

Each year, Salt Spring Arts (SSA) highlights local young talent in their Youth Exhibit presented alongside the annual Spring Art Show. The show provides a meaningful opportunity for creative youth to present their artwork in a public setting in historic Mahon Hall’s Annex Gallery. This year, Home As We Know It features work by beginner photography students at Gulf Islands Secondary School, under the direction of teacher Seb Evans, sharing their visual reflections on home, place and relocation.  

The exhibit’s theme reflects and responds to the 2024 Spring Art Show, re:location, curated by Annika Hagen Siemsen. This core exhibition features 18 multidisciplinary, contemporary artists that have delved into personal stories of adapting to life in the Gulf Islands. Their work reflects conceptual studies of identity, the dichotomy of isolation and community, and the impacts of displacement. Drawing inspiration from “re:location,” these young artists developed their first conceptual work to explore their personal relationship to the Gulf Islands as a home, a place of belonging and a place of becoming.  

Exhibit facilitator and GISS Photography teacher Seb Evans also has his own artworks featured in “re:location,” and as a creative professional highlighted in this year’s Spring Art Show, he brings a unique perspective to the project both as an educator and exhibiting artist.  

“I am really excited to be able to include youth voices in the broader arts community on Salt Spring,” said Evans. “Having access to a space where students can share their voice alongside professional artists is an important part of their development as creatives, and the Youth Exhibit provides that opportunity. It’s been a pleasure to support the development of conceptual based work that digs into the significance of place in shaping identity. In a way, their perspective and vision reflects the varied voices and experiences of our community as a whole. It also helps students to connect their school based work to real world experiences in a powerful way.”  

The work of SSA, our island’s arts council of over 55 years, bridges the gap between artists and audiences through joyful and thought-provoking creative connection. An important part of the art council’s mandate is education, specifically for our Island’s youth. The Youth Exhibit provides access for young artists to not only express their creativity, but also showcase their work in a professional environment.  

Home As We Know It by GISS Photography is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April 12-28 in the Mahon Hall Annex Gallery, alongside the 2024 Spring Art Show, “re:location,” a multidisciplinary art exhibition. For more information, visit saltspringarts.com. 

‘Berry with benefits’ growing on Salt Spring 

Contributed Article
-
0
‘Berry with benefits’ growing on Salt Spring 

By Marcia Jansen 

Have you heard of the haskap berry? No? You’re not alone. The ‘berry with benefits’ is brand new to British Columbia. Alex Ruurs from Hillfield Haskap Farm introduced the haskap berry on Salt Spring Island eight years ago and just started selling his haskap cordial in retail stores on the island.      

The haskap berry grows in the wild in every province in Canada, except for BC.  

“We are the last ones to be let in on the secret,” says Ruurs who started with thirty seedlings in 2016 and now has a thousand plants on his property at his farm at Sharp Road.    

Ruurs moved from Abbotsford to Salt Spring Island sixteen years ago.  

“I had access to all this land and was looking for a way to use it. I wanted to grow something healthy and local, with a potential for a side business,” Ruurs, who works as a sea captain as well, continues. “It had to be something that wasn’t too labour intensive, because I can be away for months at a time, and doesn’t need too much water.”    

When Ruurs read about the cold-hardy haskap berry variety bred by the fruit program at the University of Saskatchewan, he knew he’d found what he was looking for. Haskap berries, also called honey berries, come from varieties common to a circumpolar species native to northern boreal forests in Asia, Europe, and North America. “This particular variety stems from species in Siberia and Japan. Haskap means ‘little gift at the end of the branch’ in Japanese and is known as the fruit of longevity.”    

The haskap berry is a so-called super fruit. It is believed that haskap berries have been used in folk medicine to reduce the risk of hypertension, glaucoma, heart attack, anemia, osteoporosis, and gastrointestinal disease.  

“Studies show that haskap berries are rich in vitamin C and they contain substantially more antioxidants than any other berry.  But they’re not only healthy, they are extremely tasty as well. Haskap berries are juicy and sweet with a zing of vitamin C. They taste like a mix of blackberries, raspberries and black currents.”    

Haskap berries produce one of the earliest crops, compared to other berry varieties.  

“Even earlier than strawberries,” Ruurs explains.“We had our first full harvest last summer, experienced farmers probably need half of the time to establish an orchard, and we are looking forward to the next one in June.”    

Ruurs turns his haskap berries into a sweet and tangy cordial, which is now available on the island.  

“You can drink haskap cordial with sparkling water or mix it with alcoholic beverages like martini or gin and tonic. Because of the intense purple colour of the berry, not only the skin but the inside as well, you can use the cordial to make beautiful cocktails and mocktails.”   

Editorial: Public duty 

Driftwood Staff
-
0
Editorial: Public duty 

Salt Spring’s miniature “election season” this month is a little less crowded than this time last year. 

It was about now in 2023 when we learned there would be 15 candidates for the four positions on the then-all-new Local Community Commission, and the level of political chatter reached a fever pitch practically before the ink had dried on their nomination paperwork.  

This year, we were just one candidate beyond acclamation in both upcoming contests.  

We have heard it suggested that the reason might lie in there being less “excitement,” compared a new CRD commission, in serving on a board of trustees for an improvement district, even when it’s the two largest ones on the island.   

Setting aside the unsupported idea that there are no thrills to stir the blood at the North Salt Spring Waterworks District (new infrastructure! Paths to ending the connection moratorium!) or at the Salt Spring Island Fire Protection District (a new fire hall!), we would note the work-to-renumeration ratio for those trustees, and humbly propose the relative drought of candidates may be yet another reflection of Salt Spring’s most rapidly dwindling resource: volunteerism.   

Time and again we hear calls for help from the volunteer groups that work to make Salt Spring the vibrant community we all want it to be; time and again, we hear the services those groups used to offer with aplomb are now found wanting. The connection is obvious, the solution perhaps less so — but the distress signal can be seen across the horizon.  

This weekend, as one of our most recently-elected community members Ben Corno notes elsewhere in this edition, Salt Spring is sending up its biggest flare yet. The list of volunteer groups coming to SIMS on Saturday for the inaugural 2024 Salt Spring Island Volunteer Fair seems to grow every time we check it — many of them operating on the human resource equivalent of “driving on fumes.”   

Islanders cherish a collective independence from those “across the water” that cannot thrive without a robust local volunteer force.  

We look forward to Salt Spring rising to the challenge. 

Viewpoint: Holding Salt Spring together 

Contributed Article
-
0
Viewpoint: Holding Salt Spring together 

By Ben Corno 

We live in the ideal size of community. People love to tell each other, “10,000 people” or “12,000 in the summer.”  

That’s how I know how many people are 10,000, or 12,000 in the summer: it feels perfect.   

I also hear that “this place runs on volunteers” or “volunteers are the glue.” I have, incorrectly, thought that the “volunteer glue” thing is a function of our community size, but now, I actually think that everywhere, in any size of community, volunteers are the glue. We just have that perfect size community to notice it.   

We all know someone who is volunteering with some community organization, club, team, pod, society, or some other type of non-profit adventure.  

It is a thrill to think that those organizations and their volunteers really are holding our community together, and that we all know each other so well — so it looks to us like we are holding our community together.  

Almost every one of those people would say that their group could use more volunteers, or that they just lost some long-dedicated volunteers.  

Sports teams, youth activities, social clubs. halls, emergency services, human supporters, nature stewards, agricultural societies, art supporters, non-profits — just think of all the energy that goes into all those things which have become beloved and critical components of our community. It is astounding, and all the people who put their time into those pursuits deserve — of course — a huge “thank you.” But also a little support of their own.  

The Inaugural 2024 Salt Spring Island Volunteer Fair will take place on April 13 at SIMS from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Its purpose is simple: to bring the groups who could use more volunteer help to connect with people who want to help these organizations out.   

Whether you are new to your perfect-size community, looking for a change of perspective or just want to meet more people, consider walking the foyer at SIMS for a moment to come and say hello to some of the many groups who help keep our community together and see if you have time and energy to help one of them out.   

Entry is free. Don’t forget about the parking behind SIMS on Park Drive across from the skatepark. If you have an easy time walking up the hill from the lower lot, consider saving the upper parking lot spots for those who find it harder. And if you can walk, or bike, that could be a great way to travel on a Saturday.  

Ben Corno serves on Salt Spring’s Local Community Commission (LCC). 

LAVENDER, Keith

Driftwood Obituary
-
2
LAVENDER, Keith

 Major Keith Donovan Lavender, a decorated military officer and a beloved member of the Salt Spring Island community, passed away peacefully on April 3, 2024, at the age of 93 at the Veterans Memorial Lodge in Saanich. 

Born January 20, 1931, in Broderick, Saskatchewan, Keith was the third eldest of seven sons of Lucille and Donovan Lavender. He spent his formative years on the family farm in Saskatchewan during the Great Depression, where he cultivated a strong work ethic and a deep sense of duty. When his family moved to their farm in Lashburn in 1945, he and his brother Dean travelled by boxcar with the horses, a couple of cows and furniture while the rest of the family drove to the new home in a 1929 Graham Paige car.

Keith’s life was marked by his unwavering dedication to his family and his country. He joined the Canadian army in 1951 and served with honour and bravery until 1977. He saw action as an artillery spotter pilot in the Korean War with the 81st Field Regiment. He later served in various postings throughout Canada, along with West Germany and England. Notably, he served as Officer Commanding 1 AirOp Troop at Camp Gagetown, New Brunswick Commanding Officer 1 Artillery Regiment Training Headquarters at Camp Shilo Manitoba, and Commanding Officer 427 Tactical Helicopter Squadron at CFB Petawawa. In 1976 he was transferred to NDHQ, Ottawa, in the Directorate of Operations and Training, with responsibility for support for civilian agencies such as Boy Scouts, Girl Guides, flood control, royal visits and other activities. In this role, he was honoured to assist Queen Elizabeth II and other members of the Royal Family on several royal tours to Canada. Following his retirement from the regular forces in 1977, he was called out for full time reserve services with Militia Area, Prairie Regional Headquarters, Winnipeg, Man.

In addition to his distinguished military career, Keith was a devoted husband and father. He nursed his first wife, Theresa, through a long illness until her passing in 1970, all while caring for their four children and fulfilling his duties as an officer in the armed forces. Later, he found love again with his beloved wife, Patricia, also a serving military officer, with whom he shared 52 happily married years, first in Petawawa, then later in Ottawa, Winnipeg and on Salt Spring Island.

Retiring to Salt Spring Island 40 years ago, Keith became an integral part of the community. He was actively involved in various organizations, including the Salt Spring Island Golf Club, the Royal Canadian Legion, and Meals on Wheels. He was generous of his time, often taking more elderly community members to medical and dental appointments both on the island and to Victoria. His warmth, generosity and sense of humour endeared him to all who knew him. 

Keith Lavender had a passion for life, enjoying activities such as gardening, golfing, curling, playing bridge and poker, woodworking, reading, and cheering for the Toronto Blue Jays and the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He was proud of his accomplishments on the golf course, including two holes-in-one and victories in several tournaments for left-handed golfers. 

Keith will be deeply missed by his beloved wife, Patricia, his sons, David and Terry (Sharon) , and his grandsons, Michael and Daniel. He will also be missed by his brothers, Dennis (Helen) and Lyle (Mary, deceased) and his brother- and sister-in-law, Patrick and Cathy, and their daughters Heather and Erin; as well as many nieces and nephews, friends and acquaintances. He was preceded in death by his son Dennis and daughter Joanne, as well as his brothers Dean (Mary), Hugh (Helen, deceased), Ralph (Ilene) and Wes (Dorothy).

Keith’s memory will be cherished by all who were fortunate enough to know him. His legacy of courage, compassion, and kindness will live on in the hearts of those whose lives he touched.

There will be a private celebration of life at a later date. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Heart & Stroke Foundation, the Kidney Foundation, or the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

WELLS, Cherri Sylvia

Driftwood Obituary
-
0
WELLS, Cherri Sylvia

 Cherri passed away gracefully on Thursday, March 21, 2024, at the age of 87. As per her wishes, she found her final rest in the comfort of her home, surrounded by loved ones. This would not have been possible without the support of Lady Minto Home Care. The family extends heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Woodly for his compassionate care over the years and for all he did to make her final months as peaceful as possible.

Cherri’s journey began on February 22, 1937, in Gray Creek, B.C. She was the beloved daughter of Julia and Thomas Wells. Her mother, Julia, was born in Canora, Saskatchewan, and her family had immigrated from Ukraine to start their lives in Canada. Thomas had immigrated from Norfolk, England, when he was 21 to begin his new life. He ended up in Saskatchewan (Endeavour), working on a farm where he met Julia. They moved to Gray Creek, B.C., and had three children. Sadly, Cherri’s older brother drowned when they were playing in a nearby creek at the age of 6. Cherri also had another brother who died of pneumonia at 1 year old. The sorrow of losing her two brothers was imprinted in her heart. Four years after Cherri was born, she welcomed her sister, Mona, and embraced her role as the older sister.

In 1950, Julia, Thomas, Mona, and Cherri moved to Vancouver. They lived in the West End of Vancouver, and she attended King George High School. At the age of 19, she met her first husband, George Bogdanovich. Shortly after, they were married and moved into the family home in Dunbar where their three children were born, and they lived for 10 years.

Cherri moved to Salt Spring in 1968 with her three young children and started her new life with her second husband, Jerry Nestman. It was a brave and bold move for her to make at that time of her life. Nevertheless, it was a move she would never regret, and it would change her life and her children’s lives forever. The island lifestyle and the friends and neighbors she would get to know over the decades were what kept her on the island for over 56 years. She loved the people, she loved her friends, and that is what made her happiest.

In those early years, the family had a Hobby Farm in the North End, as her love of animals was always at the forefront, whether it was tending to her chickens, goats, and sheep or her many dogs she loved throughout her life. She was an avid reader and was always trying new things, whether it was weaving, pottery, hiking, or her lifelong interest in painting. Gardening was another passion; she loved nature, and this was something she did up to her last days.

But some of her fondest memories surrounded her foray into tennis and the weekly group in which she would play and socialize. The ‘Tennis group’ continued long after they were still able to play tennis and became a regular gathering of longtime island friends. In the end, it was lunch at the Golf Club with those who were still able to make it. These were lifelong friendships that remained strong to the very end.

Cherri was a beacon of positivity and selflessness, always smiling and willing to help where she was needed. She was a strong and independent woman. She was a great listener, and her friends would often confide in her, knowing she was a compassionate and caring person. Most of all, she loved her family. Her love and support for her children were unconditional and unwavering, and at times, that was surely tested. She was a positive voice in their lives and supportive of whatever endeavors they might take on. She will be dearly missed by all.

Cherri is survived by her daughter Cara (Mark) Rogers, sons Brian (Karen) Bogdanovich, and Gary (Carolyn) Bogdanovich, grandchildren Ben, Tara, and Hayden, as well as niece Laura and nephew Arlen. For family and close friends a Celebration of Life will be held May 25th, 2024 on Saltspring Island. For more information please email Rogerthatcb@gmail.com

If you would like to commemorate Cherri’s life, please consider making a donation to the Salt Spring Island Foundation (ssifoundation.ca), or plant some colourful flowers in her memory.

Trustees eye limiting public recording

Robb Magley
-
0
Trustees eye limiting public recording

A year-old drama from a Lasqueti Local Trust Committee (LTC) meeting may have ripple effects across the Islands Trust, as the land use authority’s Executive Committee (EC) met to consider limits on the public recording of committee meetings. 

Recommendations on how to structure and implement those limits came during the EC’s meeting Wednesday, March 27, as Legislative Services director David Marlor brought back a report requested the previous year, stemming from events during a few “lively” Lasqueti LTC meetings held in early 2023. 

The Lasqueti meetings were chaired by Gabriola Island trustee Tobi Elliott, who was confronted over comments she made suggesting if a member of the public wished to have a “collegial working relationship” with their elected officials, it would be respectful to ask permission to record them before doing so. One speaker bristled at the notion, cited the Criminal Code of Canada, and claimed an earlier committee chair had wrongly required advance permission to record — all of which led Elliott to introduce the topic to her fellow EC members later than month. 

Some clarity was needed, she told the EC in 2023, particularly around “intent of use” — seemingly hoping to draw a distinction exempting someone recording for professional reasons. But the report returned last week simply offered a green light for limiting members of the public’s ability to record procedurally, despite a lack of legislation. 

“You don’t have any bylaws that indicate whether or not people can record any meetings, and you have no policy,” said Marlor. “So really, the only control you have is that the chair does have the ability to control the meeting.” 

Marlor said a meeting chair could take the time to let attendees know that “somebody wants to record personally” and that it was occurring — or take further steps, as the existing meeting procedure bylaws put responsibility for maintaining “order and decorum” during meetings upon the chair.  

“You can also require that they record the committee, not other people,” said Marlor. “And if somebody speaking is uncomfortable with that recording, you can request the recording to be stopped.” 

Marlor said staff are preparing a “script” for local committee chairs to read to that effect, although according to the report he prepared for the EC, staff recommend the chair “require” — not request — anyone making personal recordings “respect the wishes” of public speakers addressing committees who ask not to be recorded. 

“Staff recommend that to address this, in the absence of a bylaw amendment or policy amendment, that the Chair posts a notice at the meeting location advising that the meeting is being live streamed and recorded,” according to Marlor’s report. “The notice can further state that those wishing to personally record the meeting (video or audio) must obtain the consent of the Chair in advance of doing so.” 

The report cites the widely-reported “banning” of public recordings of council meetings in Lantzville in 2020, itself partially a response to a member of the public there livestreaming council meetings via social media. At the time, Lantzville did not stream video or audio of its meetings, although municipal staff did record them; the Islands Trust currently live-streams video and audio and makes recordings available online some weeks later.  

“Local trust committees may, by resolution or bylaw, establish their own requirements for public recording of their meetings,” according to Marlor’s report. “The only requirement is that the local trust committees ensure that the meetings are open to the public, and this is satisfied by allowing the public into the meeting venue, to join the meeting on-line, or to watch the livestream. Limiting public recording of the meetings would not violate the open meeting requirements.” 

EC chair Peter Luckham seemed uncomfortable with the idea of members of the public needing to gain consent from committee chairs before recording — although he agreed with considering constraints that might ask anyone recording to focus on meeting participants. 

“Really, we’re not offering consent,” said Luckham. “It’s an open and free space, in which somebody can do what they wish. Do we need to say ‘consent’ or just have the notice state the chair must be advised that they intend on recording?” 

Marlor said changing the language to advisory wouldn’t take away from a chair’s ability to then “have a discussion” with people about the rules they want to set up in a meeting. 

“I just don’t want anybody to feel that we might say ‘no,’” said Luckham, “when it seems clear to me that we can’t really say no, we can just advise them.” 

Elliott told staff she would need “absolute clarity” on the application of the Criminal Code on Islands Trust meeting procedures when the “script” for future LTC meetings returned. 

St. Mary Lake weir plans updated

Robb Magley
-
0
St. Mary Lake weir plans updated

In the wake of an unexpected $10 million funding windfall, Salt Spring’s largest water improvement district has begun a complex planning process, centred on how those dollars will be used — and discussions with the province have begun on how raising the weir level at St. Mary Lake can improve the island’s resiliency to a changing climate. 

The funding appeared without advance notice in the B.C. government’s 2024/25 budget announcement in late February, allocating money to increase water storage capacity and better sustain the required environmental water flow through Duck Creek by “raising the dam height” at St. Mary Lake.  

That wording seemed to cause some initial public confusion; the North Salt Spring Waterworks District (NSSWD) operates a weir at the lake, which — unlike a dam — is designed to allow water to flow over its top during periods of higher rainfall. Raising the weir’s level would not, according to staff, directly translate to raising the level of St. Mary Lake, but rather would increase effective capacity by allowing more flexibility in managing lake levels and flow into Duck Creek throughout the year.  

NSSWD operations manager Ryan Moray explained at the current height of the weir — 40.7 metres above North American coastal mean sea level — water cascades over the top for much of the winter, especially during periods of high rainfall. Those rain events seem to be happening with increasing frequency, according to NSSWD data collected at St. Mary Lake, particularly in January and February — and, Moray added, if the weir was raised to a height of 41 metres as currently envisioned, water would still be pouring over during periods of heavy precipitation.  

“You can see during prior years where we peaked, we were seeing lake levels as high as 41.20,” said Moray.  

NSSWD’s examination of climate change data — part of its own recent storage investigations during an ongoing “moratorium roadmap” project — had already suggested a need to find water capacity management solutions due to changing rainfall patterns; the provincial funding is specifically categorized under B.C.’s response to climate emergencies. CAO Mark Boysen told trustees that district staff had already begun preliminary meetings with representatives from relevant provincial ministries. 

“I’d say we’re at the very early stages,” said Boysen. “The ministries are talking to each other, and ee’ve had some very good initial conversations about eligibility for where the funding could go, what would be possible and potentially not possible.” 

NSSWD board chair Brian Pyper emphasized the board’s hope that discussions for using that funding toward climate resilience goals would remain “as broad as we can,” possibly looking beyond the weir to other water storage and management projects the district had been considering. 

“We know a lot could be under that [climate resiliency] umbrella,” said Pyper. “Not necessarily just the weir.” 

Until the project goals crystallize, according to Boysen, the weir — and water flows into Duck Creek — remains the focus; interestingly, he said, there was still an active — if stalled — application to raise the weir from an effort nearly a decade ago. 

“The province has pulled those documents out,” said Boysen, “from back in 2015 or 2016, and we’re going to see what has to be updated, and whether we’ll be able to continue with the active application or if we have to renew.” 

The district will be developing a work plan with the province, Boysen said, that will move toward funding agreements and eventually designs and public engagement. 

“Because it is a one-off funding program, not a grant, we’re not required to contribute matching funds or anything,” he said. “It’s kind of outside of a typical structure for their funding. But there’s a lot of information to go through.” 

Staff confirmed any new weir construction would be designed to help limit lake elevation gains during heavy rains, possibly reducing the amount of time spent at higher levels — which may come as some relief to landowners around the lake. 

“Thanks to the provincial funding, we have an opportunity to do it right, and have it last long into the future,” said Pyper. “Operating in a way that we design it.”

‘re:location’ exhibition pings intersection of time, place

Contributed Article
-
0
‘re:location’ exhibition pings intersection of time, place

By Phöenix Kelley 

For Salt Spring Arts 

Salt Spring Arts presents the 2024 Spring Art Show, “re:location,” curated by Annika Hagen Siemsen. The multidisciplinary group exhibition features 18 dynamic artists from the Southern Gulf Islands, and is open daily 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. April 12-28 at Mahon Hall. 

Heralding the expansion of our vibrant creative artist community in recent years, “re:location” showcases artists at various stages of their careers who have accepted the challenge of pushing the boundaries of their practice through incorporating two or more disciplines. Through a rich mix of contemporary media, questions of identity, the dichotomy of isolation and community and the impacts of displacement are explored through art. 

“My piece highlights a harmony between human creativity and nature while emphasizing our role in environmental conservation,” said participating artist Walletmoth, who will be presenting a Noon Hour Artist Talk on April 24. 

“re:location” features artworks by Germaine Koh, Walletmoth, Dina Gonzalez Mascaro, Robert Moss, Veronica Classen, Stasia Garraway, Eli Horn, Patrick McCallum, Anna Karolina Szul, Seb Evans, Matthew Robertson, Kerry Weinrauch, Gordon Brent Brochu-Ingram and John David James, Randy Lee Cutler, Liljana Mead Martin and James K-M, as well as artwork by Annika Hagen Siemsen, the exhibition’s curator. 

In addition to curation, Siemsen’s creative pursuits span poetry, screenwriting, filmmaking, printmaking, alternative process photography and more. 

The daughter of an impressionist painter, she relocated from Mexico City to Vancouver to Salt Spring Island, where she spent her early teen years. After moving to New York City and spending 16 years working in the film industry, Annika found herself back on Salt Spring in 2016, opening Salty Pear Gallery and B&B. 

“I have brought together 18 multidisciplinary artists from various stages in their careers and have asked each to delve into their personal stories of adapting to life on the Gulf Islands,” Siemsen said. “This exhibition leans to the contemporary and steps away from conventional depictions of ‘island beauty,’ confronting and connecting complexities in our collective experience.” 

The work of Salt Spring Arts (SSA), our island’s arts council of over 55 years, bridges the gap between artists and audiences through joyful, meaningful creative connection. SSA presents opportunities such as the Spring Art Show that highlight local artists, support curatorial practice and engage with the community. The annual program invites locals and visitors to explore the work of, and connect with, local creatives through the exhibition and events including artist talks, curator conversations and performances. This year, Salt Spring Arts is also presenting docent talks with gallery manager Zoe Zafiris for those interested in an informative guided tour of the exhibition. 

Each year, the Youth Exhibit provides the opportunity for young local talents to present their artwork in the Mahon Hall Annex during the Spring Art Show. This year, Home As We Know It features work by beginner GISS Photography Students under the direction of teacher Seb Evans. The exhibit showcases their visual reflections on the theme of home, place and relocation, to build on the theme of Spring Art Show. 

“re:location” opens Friday, April 12 at 10 a.m. followed by the opening celebration from 6 to 9 p.m. Throughout the last two weeks of April, a series of events highlighting the exhibiting artists take place at Mahon Hall: an Artist Panel, Noon Hour Artist Talks, a Curator Conversation and an evening event featuring spontaneous improvised cabaret and live music by The Mercy Dogs and Graham Van Pelt. 

For more information, visit saltspringarts.com.

1...140141142...609Page 141 of 609