Arts and culture

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

 

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

 

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…

 

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)
Chemainus Theatre facilities manager Damion Knight at the spot inside the gallery and gift shop where thieves smashed a window and grabbed masks. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Unique masks valued at $1,000 stolen from Chemainus Theatre Gallery

Thieves smash a window and grab the goods early Monday morning

Chemainus Theatre facilities manager Damion Knight at the spot inside the gallery and gift shop where thieves smashed a window and grabbed masks. (Photo by Don Bodger)
Sooke artist Jessica Ruth Freedman is one of nine virtual in-residence artists who share the creative process, conduct webinars, write and offer sage advice with artsUNITE, a free online wayfinding platform for artists. (Contributed - Jessica Ruth Freedman)

Sooke artist joins artsUNITE, getting creative through pandemic

National program brings much-needed support to arts community

Sooke artist Jessica Ruth Freedman is one of nine virtual in-residence artists who share the creative process, conduct webinars, write and offer sage advice with artsUNITE, a free online wayfinding platform for artists. (Contributed - Jessica Ruth Freedman)
<em>SS Valencia: ‘A Theatre of Horror’</em> continues at the Maritime Museum of BC to Sept. 2 2021. The shipwreck remains one of the worst maritime disasters in an area along Vancouver Island’s west side known as ‘The Graveyard of the Pacific.’<em></em>

Victoria museum exhibit dives into shipwreck’s ‘Theatre of Horror’

The tale of the SS Valencia’s sinking off the coast of southern…

<em>SS Valencia: ‘A Theatre of Horror’</em> continues at the Maritime Museum of BC to Sept. 2 2021. The shipwreck remains one of the worst maritime disasters in an area along Vancouver Island’s west side known as ‘The Graveyard of the Pacific.’<em></em>
The Vancouver Island Regional Library is taking submissions for a new arts and literature magazine. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)

Library seeks submissions for new art and literature magazine

Submission deadline is May 15

The Vancouver Island Regional Library is taking submissions for a new arts and literature magazine. (Kevin Laird - Sooke News Mirror)
The Sooke Fine Arts Show will be online again this year, showcasing unique artworks from Vancouver Island and B.C.’s coastal island artists from July 23 to Aug. 2. (File - Sooke News Mirror)

Sooke Fine Arts Show goes virtual for second year in a row

Art exhibition and show set for July 23 to Aug. 2

The Sooke Fine Arts Show will be online again this year, showcasing unique artworks from Vancouver Island and B.C.’s coastal island artists from July 23 to Aug. 2. (File - Sooke News Mirror)
A previous Saanich Peninsula Arts and Crafts Society Spring Show exhibition space. Organizers are hopeful their 2021 show will happen at the Mary Winspear Centre. (Black Press Media file photo)

Peninsula artists plan pandemic-friendly spring art show

Annual SPAC show set to return to Mary Winspear Centre for 2021

A previous Saanich Peninsula Arts and Crafts Society Spring Show exhibition space. Organizers are hopeful their 2021 show will happen at the Mary Winspear Centre. (Black Press Media file photo)
What’s better than yakking with friends? Join the free Women’s Winter Yakfest to recharge. The online event takes place on the first and third Mondays of the month at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. (Submitted image)

Nuu-chah-nulth storyteller kicks off virtual 2021 Women’s Winter Yakfest series on Vancouver Island

‘It’s part book club, part hen party, part learning conference — and all fun’

What’s better than yakking with friends? Join the free Women’s Winter Yakfest to recharge. The online event takes place on the first and third Mondays of the month at 5:30 p.m. via Zoom. (Submitted image)
Ellen Lyons, with husband William, was a pioneer in collecting and selling fine art photography. Lia Crowe photography

Ellen Lyons, A Pioneer In The Art Of Collecting Photographs

The William Lyons Gallery of Photography opened in 1979

  • Dec 18, 2020
Ellen Lyons, with husband William, was a pioneer in collecting and selling fine art photography. Lia Crowe photography
Shoshana Litman, acclaimed Maggidah and storyteller, will be the first speaker in the series. (Provided by Kolot Mayim Reform Temple)

Jewish temple hosts virtual six-part speaker series focusing on ‘building bridges’

The first talk takes place on Nov. 1

Shoshana Litman, acclaimed Maggidah and storyteller, will be the first speaker in the series. (Provided by Kolot Mayim Reform Temple)
Gillian Turner’s Clay Box Gallery and Studio opens in Esquimalt this month. (Courtesy of Gillian Turner)

Esquimalt welcomes two new art spaces

Pottery studio, community arts hub opening this month

Gillian Turner’s Clay Box Gallery and Studio opens in Esquimalt this month. (Courtesy of Gillian Turner)
The 2020 City of Victoria Youth Poet Laureate Neko Smart will give up her seat for the next young poet in January. (Contributed/ Jeremy Loveday)

Nominations open for Victoria’s 2021 Youth Poet Laureate

Honourary one-year term reserved for region’s emerging poets

The 2020 City of Victoria Youth Poet Laureate Neko Smart will give up her seat for the next young poet in January. (Contributed/ Jeremy Loveday)
Sooke Arts Council has submitted a letter of interest for a space at Lot A’s new seniors complex as the potential site for its new permanent location. (Courtesy of Sooke Arts Council)

Sooke Arts Council eyes new home for permanent gallery

Group considering space at new seniors complex

Sooke Arts Council has submitted a letter of interest for a space at Lot A’s new seniors complex as the potential site for its new permanent location. (Courtesy of Sooke Arts Council)
Brother, I Cry tells the story of Indigenous siblings, Jon and Ava, struggling with the effects of inter-generational trauma in their own ways while staying spiritually connected. (Supplied image)

Q&A with VIFF’s B.C. Emerging Filmmaker Award winner, Jessie Anthony

Her feature film, Brother, I Cry premiered at VIFF this year

Brother, I Cry tells the story of Indigenous siblings, Jon and Ava, struggling with the effects of inter-generational trauma in their own ways while staying spiritually connected. (Supplied image)
2020 Arts Alive sculpture Counterpoise by Richard Young is now on display in Haynes Park along Beach Drive. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)

Voting now ready for Arts Alive 2020 sculptures

Audio and written descriptions posted for all 10 sculptures

2020 Arts Alive sculpture Counterpoise by Richard Young is now on display in Haynes Park along Beach Drive. (Travis Paterson/News Staff)
Sue Macartney of Oak Bay published her first children’s book in June. (Courtesy of Sue Macartney)

Oak Bay woman’s first children’s book encourages self-compassion, environmentalism

‘Benjamin’s Blue Feet’ takes place on the Galapagos Islands

Sue Macartney of Oak Bay published her first children’s book in June. (Courtesy of Sue Macartney)
Lisa Beare Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Ministry staff photo

Province announces $2M in arts and culture funding under BC Arts Council

The program will go toward renovating arts and cultural spaces in BC and to buy special equipment

Lisa Beare Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture. Ministry staff photo