Art Beat: Visual arts, performances launch Sechelt Arts Festival

The Sechelt Arts Festival, with its 2021 theme of Unity, is now underway with visual art by seven Coast artists celebrating gender diversity on display downstairs at the Seaside Centre.

The Sechelt Arts Festival, with its 2021 theme of Unity, is now underway with visual art by seven Coast artists celebrating gender diversity on display downstairs at the Seaside Centre. Upstairs, take in Canoe Culture, “an experiential journey through the history of the canoe.” The Seaside Centre exhibits are on view from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursdays through Sundays for just the next few weeks.

Festival performances kick off on Saturday, Oct. 9 with Dances from Home, where “our multi-cultural community will share their stories, culture, and dance traditions. A family-friendly afternoon featuring local shíshálh, Métis, East Indian, Latin, Japanese, Hawaiian and Filipino dancers coming together in harmony, bright costumes, and fun.” At the Seniors Activity Centre from 2 to 4 p.m. with doors at 1:30. Admission is “pay what you can.”

On Sunday, Oct. 10, Music Arising showcases some of the Coast’s young performing talent with performances by Kaishan, Ashley Hautala, and Gingersnaps & Shortbread. The show at St. Hilda’s Chapel starts at 4 p.m. Seating is limited. Tickets at the festival website.

GPAG meet-up

The creators behind the new shows at Gibsons Public Art Gallery will be part of a meet-the-artists session at Gibsons Public Art Gallery from 2 to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 9. Graphite drawings by Charles Keillor are featured in the main gallery in his exhibit, Drawing the West Coast. In the Eve Smart Gallery are photographs from Robert Keziere’s intriguingly titled show, The Means of Making: Documenting Geoffrey Smedley’s Gambier Island Machine Room. The exhibits are on until Oct. 31.

Callout to sing out

Coastal Lights Choir (formerly Music Makers) has started meeting again on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at Faith Lutheran Church in Davis Bay, and has issued an invitation to join in. “We are preparing an engaging program of winter and Christmas music in anticipation of a winter concert Dec. 11,” the choir said in a release. “New director Kenneth Norman Johnson brings a wealth of experience, carefully chosen music, and some beautiful original compositions that will delight singers and audiences.” Email [email protected] for more info.

Virtual studio drop-ins

Sunshine Coast Elder College is offering a chance to visit four artists in their studios over a four-week period, starting Oct. 15. “Participants will engage virtually in art appreciation and creative activities on four Friday mornings [10 a.m. to 12 p.m.] with a Sunshine Coast painter, carver, digital artist, and quilter/fabric artist. The sessions encourage thinking about art and, if you wish, creating your own art.” The artists taking part are Lynda Mason, Paula O’Brien, Dennis Gobeil, and Karen Biddlecombe. The visits are via Zoom, so a digital device and Wi-Fi connection are required. Full information is available on the SC Elder College website.

Let us know about your event by email at [email protected].


https://www.coastreporter.net/local-arts/art-beat-visual-arts-performances-launch-sechelt-arts-festival-4493090