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Diverse arts opportunities offered by Salt Spring Arts

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Diverse arts opportunities offered by Salt Spring Arts

Salt Spring Arts currently has multiple opportunities open that could help people develop their arts projects and careers, but with the submission deadline looming, interested bodies will need to get their applications in by the end of this month.

The community arts council has five separate exciting calls to artists underway that all have an application deadline of Oct. 31. The opportunities themselves are wide ranging in scope.

Below is a brief summary of each program or award currently on offer:

• Artcraft Winter. The arts council states this is Salt Spring’s ultimate Christmas craft fair, beating out all others in terms of duration, location and quality control. Participation in the annual show and sale at Mahon Hall provides southern Gulf Islanders with the opportunity to sell their handcrafted goods and fine artwork for four weeks straight leading up to Christmas. Artcraft artists who have been juried into the summer show and other artists who haven’t gone through the jury but have been approved by the Artcraft manager are eligible to register.

• Project Grants. Grants are awarded to assist groups and individuals undertake projects of cultural benefit to the community. The program seeks to catalyze new artistic approaches and collaborations and facilitate the public presentation of those initiatives. While not a condition of eligibility, applicants are encouraged to use Mahon Hall as the venue for their events. Applicants must be based on Salt Spring and be members of Salt Spring Arts.

• Susan Benson Award. This fund was established by Susan Benson to respond to her knowledge of the historical and continuing unique challenges faced by female visual artists, especially in regard to material expenses related to creating and exhibiting works and generally being recognized. Established as a limited-term donor-directed fund, this grant is available to visual artists living on Salt Spring. Preference will be given to support female artists, but all island-based artists are eligible.

• Guest Curator. Salt Spring Arts is seeking a guest curator for the 2024 Spring Art Show. Since 2007, a curated anchor exhibit of fine art and contemporary works by artists from the Southern Gulf Islands has been held each spring at Mahon Hall. During the 10-day event, Mahon Hall also hosts a variety of public events that showcase the fine and performing arts and that complement the theme of that year’s exhibition. The curator is responsible for creating the parameters of the show and all aspects of the exhibit. An honorarium of $2,000 is included.

• Artist in Residence. Islanders are invited to share this call widely with artist friends living in other communities, near or far. Open to both Canadians and to people from anywhere else in the world, this program gives art professionals the creative space to focus on developing work. The successful applicant will receive six weeks’ accommodation and studio use on Salt Spring, from March 18 to April 30, 2023. The artist will also receive a $1,000 honorarium. The award requires a community engagement component such hosting an open studio, a demonstration or a performance.

For more information and the online application forms, visit the Calls page at saltspringarts.com. All forms will be closed after Oct. 31.

Moss Mountain protected with Islands Trust covenant

Robb Magley
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Moss Mountain protected with Islands Trust covenant

Salt Spring has a new protected forest area, thanks to a covenant agreement between islander Gay Young and the Islands Trust Conservancy (ITC).

The new Moss Mountain covenant encompasses 112 acres along Sansum Narrows — a critical wildlife corridor identified by ITC between Stoney Hill Regional Park on Vancouver Island and Burgoyne Bay Provincial Park and Mill Farm Regional Park Reserve. The property is protected through the Natural Area Protection Tax Exemption Program (NAPTEP), a program unique to Islands Trust.

“Given the current climate crisis it seemed like a great way to contribute,” said Young. “It was a family decision between me and my three grown-up children. We felt the land needed to be protected forever.”

The Moss Mountain covenant contains a range of ecosystems, including mature forests, seasonal creeks, wetlands, mossy bluffs, Garry oak and arbutus woodlands, and rocky shoreline. According to ITC, it protects three documented species at risk of extinction (two birds, one bat), and nine provincially listed ecosystems — including the federally endangered little brown bat, which was detected during summer bat surveys in 2021.

“We had 112 acres of mature trees,” said Young. “I don’t want them to be destroyed — they are so important and do a great service for us as carbon sinks. It was our job to protect them.”

For qualifying properties over five acres, NAPTEP provides landowners with a 65 per cent property tax reduction for the portion of the property protected by a conservation covenant.

“Conserving land is a direct action individuals can take to prevent biodiversity loss,” said ITC board chair Kate-Louise Stamford, “and increase islands’ resiliency to climate change.”

Since launching in 2005, NAPTEP has resulted in 27 covenants, totalling more than 370 acres of land on Trust-area islands.

Safe grad fundraising underway

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Safe grad fundraising underway

SUBMITTED BY SAFE GRAD 2023 committee

This years’ Fall Fair game booths raised $3,500 for the high school graduating class, according to the Safe Grad 2023 committee.

For several years the children’s booths, this year coordinated by Jocelyn Ferguson and run by Grade 12 students, have been one of the main fundraisers for the graduating class of Gulf Islands Secondary School (GISS). Parents also contributed to the fundraiser funds by selling game tickets and managing the Fall Fair traffic on Rainbow Road.

“We are very happy with the efforts of the students and the parents, especially with the Fall Fair being a week earlier and just after the start of school” said Janine Fernandes-Hayden of the Safe Grad 2023 committee. “It is the first step to organizing a safe and inclusive grad party.”

Safe Grad relies completely on the fundraising efforts of grad parents, said Fernandes-Hayden, and a portion of the fundraising also goes to support a legacy project as a gift from the grads to the high school.

While the amount raised at the Fall Fair makes a dent in the efforts, the parent group still has 70 per cent left to raise. The next fundraiser will be the Holiday Auction, run for the third year in a row by Julie Nowell. The online auction started in 2020 when fundraising was difficult due to COVID-19 and turned out to be hugely successful. This years’ auction can be found on Facebook (Gulf Islands Safe Grad 2023) and will take place from Dec. 6-8.

Anyone who would like to support Safe Grad 2023 can join the online fundraising event. To support this initiative by donating an item or a service, please contact safegradgiss@gmail.com.

The group is also trying to connect with all parents of the 2023 graduating class, and requests they send an email to get onto the distribution list for information on Grad 2023 activities.

Editorial: Lauding candidates and leaders

Driftwood Staff
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Editorial: Lauding candidates and leaders

The unfolding of the democratic process is always fascinating to watch.

Once every few years the citizenry is asked for their opinion about who they want to make decisions on their behalf in certain areas of public life. Individuals wanting to take on that role must articulate their ideas and aspirations for the community and put their best foot forward for about a month before election day. At the same time they must fend off criticisms and tackle the spin of their opponents and those people’s supporters.

Running for public office is not for the faint of heart; it demands courage and a ton of work. (Though not as much courage and work as actually being an elected official.) We congratulate and give thanks to everyone who participated this time around.

Few individuals take on political roles to improve their own lives. They may enjoy the work and public interactions, but for the most part a political path is chosen because a person feels qualified and motivated to make positive changes for their community or a wider jurisdiction, or they have been encouraged by others to step into a leadership role.

One person who has been a leader on Salt Spring for the past 11 years is trustee Peter Grove. Perhaps in part due to his skills as a mediator, Grove managed to minimize community conflict and engage respectfully with constituents, sometimes under trying circumstances. He also provided much-valued Trust-wide service as a Trust Council finance committee member and chair. Thank you, Peter, for your years of service, even if the harbourwalk project isn’t finished like you promised it would be.

Salt Spring voters also deserve gratitude for approving the local community commission proposal through the Capital Regional District referendum. Because of that change, we will have the chance next spring to elect four more good people, which will result in more transparency about and more control over CRD functions on the island.

We look forward to the changes to come on Salt Spring Island in the next four years, and hope Peter Grove’s moderating influence won’t be missed too much.

All About Wood Stoves webinar set for Oct. 25

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All About Wood Stoves webinar set for Oct. 25

By Andrea Palframan

Many Southern Gulf Islands residents rely on wood stoves as a heating source for different reasons, including self-reliance, backup heating when the power fails during winter storms and using wood as a relatively inexpensive source of warmth. 

But, according to Transition Salt Spring’s climate action coach Morgan Fraser, heating with wood generates far more pollution than other heat sources.

“Wood smoke accounts for over a quarter of fine particulate pollution in the winter — the kind known as ‘black carbon’ — and, with the concentration of wood stoves on Salt Spring and the Gulf Islands, that figure is likely even higher,” says Fraser.  Not only does black carbon pose serious risks to human health, it is a potent contributor to climate warming as the dark material absorbs sunlight and heats the surrounding air, adding to an already dangerous feedback loop. 

How can Salt Spring reduce or eliminate these dangerous pollutants? Come to Transition Salt Spring’s All About Wood Stoves webinar to find out how.

“As Transition Salt Spring’s new climate action coach,” says Fraser, “I’m here for anyone on the Southern Gulf Islands who wants knowledgeable advice and resources to lower their carbon footprint and save money.”

TSS’s free webinar is on Tuesday, Oct. 25 from 6:30 to 8:15 p.m. Learn about the most efficient ways to use your wood stove, or better yet, take advantage of the big rebates now available to switch to a heat pump. 

Wait . . . you might be thinking, “I’ve always heard that wood stoves are pretty green!” After all, much of the wood that is burned on the islands is windfall. It’s true that most trees will grow back, and they will help to pull carbon out of the atmosphere once again. But, burning wood releases carbon immediately, and it takes upwards of 40 to 50 years for a tree to start capturing any significant amount of carbon. 

Still, the idea that wood burning is a low-carbon fuel is persistent, and is in fact being promoted at the highest levels: witness how the U.K. is importing B.C. wood to heat homes under the banner of “green fuel.” Certainly, wood is a renewable resource unlike fossil fuels like coal and natural gas, but it’s the carbon release in the removal of trees, and their incineration, that is of concern for its climate and health impacts. 

But for some, switching to another heat source isn’t an option due to costs, and others worry that with increased power outages due to wind and snow storms, having a wood stove is an adaptive back-up option. 

Affording a cleaner burning, emissions-certified wood stove is within reach of nearly everyone thanks to generous rebate programs like the Wood Stove Upgrade Rebate Transition Salt Spring is offering in partnership with BC Lung and the provincial government.

According to Fraser, “Even if you are renting, you can gather the information and deliver it to your landlord. Everyone who’s taken advantage of this program appreciates the savings, but most people are switching to heat pumps as a much cleaner and more efficient heat source. It’s better for the planet and it’s better for people.”

Providing incentives for removing uncertified wood stoves is one of the recommendations in Transition Salt Spring’s Climate Action Plan 2.0, which sets out to lower emissions and achieve a vision of clean and healthy air for current and future generations.

Salt Spring is among 19 B.C. communities eligible for the rebate program, funded by the BC Lung Foundation. Register today for the webinar, which will walk you through the why’s and how’s of the rebates and learn how to better use your current wood stove to pollute less. The webinar will also feature Salt Spring Fire Rescue’s Assistant Chief Mitchell Sherrin.

Get a clean start this coming winter. Registration is free or “pay-what-you-can” online at: https://tinyurl.com/TSS-wood.

One Cool Island is a regular series produced by Transition Salt Spring on how we can all respond to the climate crisis — together. Andrea Palframan is a member of Transition Salt Spring, and volunteer communications contributor. To support Transition Salt Spring’s work and read the Climate Action Plan, go to transitionsaltspring.com.  

ArtSpring welcomes Collegium musicians

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ArtSpring welcomes Collegium musicians

SUBMITTED BY ARTSPRING

Youth music is hugely important to ArtSpring: whether it’s our own Makana Youth Choir program or annual community concerts from the island’s music students.

So we’re excited to reconnect with the Victoria Conservatory of Music this season, and bring some of the finest pre-professional students in its Young Artists Collegium Program for an afternoon concert on Sunday, Oct. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Founded in 2006, the Collegium assigns the 12 to 18-year-old participants to chamber ensembles, where they are coached by professionals, learning how to play great classical music and how to work together. For its 2022-23 program, there are 23 seniors and 14 juniors.

The Collegium continues to be highly successful at competitions across Canada. Artistic director Simon MacDonald proudly notes that this year, “Collegium groups took first place (senior), second place (intermediate) and first place (junior) at the provincials (Performing Arts BC); Collegium groups took first in all of the chamber categories at the inaugural Canada West Performing Arts Festival (24 and under and 17 and under chamber music divisions), and swept to an historic first place in the finals of the National Music Festival (first place in Junior, Intermediate and Advanced Chamber Music).”

Its graduates are launched onto the leading edge of musical (and non-musical) programs, giving them the skills to work collaboratively in any field that inspires them, and the confidence to walk on stage to present their ideas and their art with conviction.

MacDonald continues, “The Collegium also had two recent alumni, Lexie Krakowski, cello, and Jono Devey, piano, named as part of CBC’s 2022 30 under 30 Hot Classical Musicians.”

The concert at ArtSpring will see seven ensembles perform pieces by Haydn, Boismortier, Robert Fuchs, Darius Milhaud, Franz Doppler, Mozart and Moritz Moszkowski. In the audience will be cellist Joseph Elworthy, the president and CEO of the Vancouver Academy of Music, who’ll join the students onstage for a fascinating feedback/masterclass session.

Avian flu detected in Salt Spring birds; control zone in place

Robb Magley
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Avian flu detected in Salt Spring birds; control zone in place

Discovery of the H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in birds on Salt Spring last week has led to much of the island being declared a Primary Control Zone (PCZ) by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. 

The infected zone boundary roughly follows a five-kilometre diameter circle centred on Ganges; the restricted zone encompasses most of Salt Spring Island north of Fulford. Movement controls are in place per the Health of Animals Act, requiring special permits to move “birds, their products and by-products, as well as things exposed to birds” into, out of, within, or through the PCZ.  

Avian influenza (AI), commonly known as “bird flu,” is a contagious viral infection that can affect several species of food producing birds as well as pet and wild birds. AI viruses are classified into either low pathogenicity or high pathogenicity viruses, based on the severity of the illness caused in birds. Salt Spring Poultry Club board member Elsie Born said the avian influenza was arriving on migrating birds, and implored islanders to take action to help large and small flock owners — as well as the wild bird population, which should not be fed by humans at this time. 

“Limiting food that attracts wild birds, and keeping your birds away from open water sources is critical,” said Born. “We know this is hard for everyone, but please buckle down for the time being.” 

Poultry owners who need to move birds for processing purposes must contact the BC Ministry of Agriculture to obtain a permit.

“Above everything else, please, please do not dump birds this year,” said Born. “We as a club want to help, but birds running around are potentially devastating to anyone and everyone on this island.” 

According to Inspection Canada, avian influenza viruses — such as the H5N1 virus present in Asia — may, on rare occasions, cause disease in humans; transmission to humans occurs through close contact with infected birds or heavily contaminated environments. 

Southern Gulf Islands choose mix of new and known trustees

Driftwood Staff
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Southern Gulf Islands choose mix of new and known trustees

Southern Gulf Islands voters chose a few new faces to add to familiar elected officials in Saturday’s local elections.

Longtime Mayne Island trustee Jeanine Dodds received support from 91.9 per cent or 534 of her constituents, while fellow incumbent David Maude earned 65.6 per cent or 381 votes. Challenger Deb Foote received 222 votes.

On Galiano Island, the new trustees are Lisa Gauvreau, 515 votes, and Ben Mabberley, 447 votes. They upset incumbent Jane Wolverton, who got 403 votes. John Ronsley received 253 votes.

North Pender Island saw incumbent Deb Morrison returned with 606 votes, though challenger Aaron Campbell received more votes at 705. Mary Beth Rondeau earned 585 votes.

On South Pender, incumbent Cameron Thorn (102 votes) was not re-elected. That island’s new trustees are Dag Falck (135 votes) and Kristina Peszel (121).

Saturna’s two trustee positions were filled by acclamation with incumbent Lee Middleton and Mairead Boland.

Peter Luckham, current chair of Islands Trust Council, was returned as Thetis Island trustee.

Paul Brent from Saturna is the new CRD director for the Southern Gulf Islands. He received 1,643 votes to North Pender’s Ben McConchie at 1,289. Both were Islands Trust trustees in the last term and Brent also became acting CRD director when Dave Howe resigned from the position earlier this year.

A referendum proposal to establish a CRD transportation service in the Southern Gulf Islands failed by three votes: 1,498 to 1,495.

UPDATED: Patrick, Harris and Holman win Salt Spring Trust and CRD seats

Gail Sjuberg
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UPDATED: Patrick, Harris and Holman win Salt Spring Trust and CRD seats

Salt Spring voters chose the tried and true in electing an incumbent Islands Trust trustee and Capital Regional District (CRD) director in Saturday’s election, but also opted for a change in CRD governance via referendum.

Gary Holman was returned as CRD director and Laura Patrick as trustee, with Jamie Harris also elected to the Salt Spring Island Local Trust Committee.

Patrick topped the Islands Trust polls with 1,441 votes and Harris was in second place, receiving 1,347 votes. Harris’ running mate Don Marcotte came third with 1,286 votes, followed by Gary Gagné with 1,141 votes; Elissa Poole, 1,125; Ben Corno, 1,059; and Jenny McClean, 235.

In the CRD race, Holman received 1,917 votes, Jesse Brown 971 votes and Kylie Coates 941.

A proposal to change the island’s governance system to create a local community commission under the CRD passed by a large margin, with 2,297 voting in favour and 1,448 against.

Elected to represent Salt Spring on the Gulf Islands school board are incumbents Tisha Boulter (1,486 votes) and Rob Pingle (2,005 votes), and Nancy MacDonald (1,981 votes). Jenny McClean received 1,101 votes and Anna Szul 636. Even though George Sipos had formally removed himself from the race, his name was still on the ballot and he attracted 561 votes.

A total of 3,916 ballots were cast in the on-island polls at Community Gospel Chapel, the library and Fulford Hall. With 10,041 registered resident and non-resident property-owning voters, according to local returning officer Tony Kennedy, that makes for a voter turnout rate of 39 per cent. Kennedy said the 10,041 figure does not include new registrations, which is not a large number. Approximately 30 people also voted off-island or by mail.

Patrick said she was honoured to have been re-elected by Salt Spring voters and thanked them for the confidence and faith they had in her.

“I want to congratulate Jamie Harris on his well-earned victory,” she added. “Salt Spring voters are saying that they want the Islands Trust to do a much better job on housing, the environment and how we manage and solve issues together. I’m looking forward to rolling up my sleeves and getting to work with Jamie on these critical issues.”

First-time trustee Harris said he was excited about his new position and looking forward to working with incumbent Patrick.

“I’m sure we can find some major common ground, and I’m excited for Salt Spring, honestly,” he said.

“Hopefully we can really get something happening here in regards to workforce housing, and that it happens sooner rather than later. It’s clear we need that. We need workforce housing projects to get started as soon as possible and have provisions made ASAP regarding rezoning or adding on to existing zoning.”

The aim would be to have a few projects well underway before the four-year term is up, he said.

“We’ve got so much room for positive improvement here. It’s a matter of allowing forward movement to happen and not holding it back.”

Harris said it will also be interesting to see what ​happens regarding possible review or restructuring of the Islands Trust as a whole, in light of the Great Northern Management governance review report and Trust Council’s request for the provincial government to look at changing the Islands Trust Act.

Returning CRD director Holman said it was “an honour to be elected again to represent the engaged citizenry of this island.”

He thanked Kylie Coates and Jesse Brown “for their positive campaigns. I know that both of them will be continuing their good work in our community.” He also said he looked forward to working with the elected Islands Trust and school board trustees.

“I’m particularly pleased with the decisive referendum result in support of a local community commission (LCC), which will broaden CRD representation beyond the CRD director, and be much more transparent and accountable to voters.”

Holman noted there will be significant turnover at the CRD Board due to the election results, but said the new CRD chief administrative officer, Ted Robbins, is very familiar with CRD utilities on Salt Spring as the former senior manager of CRD Integrated Water Services.

Holman also thanked Bob Lapham, who he said “has been CRD’s very capable CAO for the past decade and a senior manager before that. I owe him a debt of gratitude for his guidance and support through the years.”

Gayle Baker, chair of the LCC Advisory Committee, which took on an advocacy role for the LCC proposal, said “the hardworking volunteers who so tirelessly spread the word about the benefits of an LCC are thrilled by its decisive approval. Stay tuned for the election of our local commissioners this spring.”

Under the terms of the CRD bylaw that received approval on Saturday, four LCC members will be chosen by Salt Spring voters in a forthcoming election, and then in subsequent local government elections every four years.

School trustees are grateful for the chance to serve as well.

“I feel deep gratitude for the privilege and opportunity to work alongside an amazing team in service of public education for another four years,” said Tisha Boulter, who is the most recent school board chair. “I look forward to witnessing the successes and identifying areas of our learning edge so we can action positive growth. Thank you to all who voted for me and entrusting me in this role.”

MacDonald, who was also a school trustee from 2014 to 2018, said she looks forward to working with the new board.

“I get a sense that families want to see positive action and transparency. The community often doesn’t know what the board does, so we will need to ensure really good communication and share information as much as possible.”

She also said it will be important to address wellness, student success and community expectations. Key issues to resolve include shortages of staff.

“I will have, as always, a positive mindset in discussions with the new team.”

Pingle, who was first elected trustee in 2008, said he was humbled by the support he received.

“This last term was very challenging and I heard from many people that the board could do better. I’m grateful that the people of Salt Spring believe that I am a person who can continue to help the board do better. I look forward to these next four years of improvement in our school district.”

Coalition secures funds for community park on Mount Maxwell

Driftwood Staff
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Coalition secures funds for community park on Mount Maxwell

Organizers of a grassroots fundraising effort are celebrating after raising enough money to purchase 75 acres on Salt Spring for a new park.

On Wednesday, Oct. 12, the Salt Spring Community Park campaign reported the initiative to raise $850,000 towards the purchase of forested land on Hwmet’utsum (Mount Maxwell) reached its goal ahead of an Oct. 31 deadline, thanks to a final push and a generous grant from the Salt Spring Island Foundation, enabled by funds from the trust established for the estate of the late Susan Bloom.

Plans for the property include the establishment of a multi-use trail network for horseback riding, mountain biking, disc golfing and hiking. Managed and shared use of the park will secure conservation of the area while encouraging outdoor recreation.

Moving this land from private to community ownership will create the largest contiguous tract of protected land in B.C.’s Southern Gulf Islands. Naturalist and campaign supporter Briony Penn said the purchase would safeguard the forest from further ecological degradation, development and deforestation, as well as bring “enormous benefits” to local biodiversity.

“Just as importantly,” said Penn, “it will protect a significant area capable of sequestering carbon for the next seven generations, a critical component of local efforts to combat climate change.”

Salt Spring Solutions co-chair Elizabeth FitzZaland said the goal was reached after three years of community partnership involving a coalition of community groups and stakeholders, all coming together to save the land.

“I’m so proud of how the community has jumped in at the end to get us across the finish line,” FitzZaland. “So many islanders and friends of Salt Spring Island have contributed in different ways, from cash donations to organizing events, but we owe a special thank you to Foxglove Farm and Bullock Lake Farm for hosting two recent events that made all the difference. We’re deeply grateful to the Bloom AlterEco Trust for their timely generosity in helping us complete the funding and the Salt Spring Island Foundation as our charitable partner.”

Once the purchase is finalized, the Capital Regional District’s (CRD) Parks and Recreation Commission will begin to engage the community in the development of a management plan for the land. Campaign fundraising advisor Christopher Roy said that effort was an important next step.

“Now we begin the work that meaningfully engages local Coast Salish elders and community members,” said Roy, “the environmental community, and youth — in planning, protecting and enjoying this new recreation resource on Salt Spring Island.”

Further donations received by the Salt Spring Island Foundation’s Land Protection Fund, up to and including those dated Oct. 31, will be tax receiptable and will contribute to the CRD fund for planning, designing and implementing the park.

For more information or to donate, visit the website: communitypark.ca.

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