The Comox Archives and Museum is currently displaying art works by the late Merle Bonnick and the late Rene Harding. Both Bonnick and Harding were important to the art culture scene in the Comox Valley during the 1960s and 1970s, painting vivid landscapes.
Harding was also an historian and contributed to the history feature pages of the Comox Valley District Free Press during the 1970s. The works of Bonnick and Harding can be seen at the Comox Museum now through to the beginning of November.
Museum staff on site to assist are Terrie Anderson and Elizabeth Ashton. Both have experience working with children, public relations and retail, and are passionate about the history of Comox. Anderson, a retired high school theatre and art teacher, is the museum display designer and archivist. Ashton, the most recent hire, has an ECE diploma, is a merchandiser and runs the museum gift shop.
There have been many upgrades to the museum, including track lighting.
“The lighting was an important installation, not only for energy conservation, but the imagery throughout the museum is better represented,” said Jim Whitehead, acting chair of the Comox Archives and Museum Society. “We have added to the Reading Area and the enhanced Timeline wall takes visitors on a journey through time. We have also added to the First Nation component, honoring the Frank and Everson families, which is well received. Overall, the changes to the museum are generating a lot of positive praise.”
The Comox Archives and Museum, located at 1729 Comox Ave., is open Tuesdays to Saturdays noon-4 p.m.