The Comox Valley Art Gallery will celebrate its summer programming with a reception, welcoming ceremony, artist remarks and poetry reading on Wednesday, July 20, starting at 6 p.m.
The event, which takes place on the opening night of a three-day symposium on cultural mapping, will highlight a full summer of artistic programming including the exhibition MAP: Make/Art/Place, all-ages participatory Make Art Wednesdays, artist talks, residencies, site-specific installations and more.
The exhibition MAP runs at CVAG until Sept. 17. It features the work of local artist Clive Powsey and visiting Prairie artists Barbara Meneley and Joanne Bristol.
The three artists bring diverse perspectives and inquiry related to mapping, identity, and sense of place.
The multi-faceted show is taking place in conjunction with Where is Here?, a symposium on cultural mapping and related art events from July 20 to 22.
MAP is the first residency collaboration between the gallery, McLoughlin Gardens, and the School of Fine Art and Design at North Island College.
“This is an important milestone for CVAG,” says curator Angela Somerset. “We are really pleased to be able to house our visiting artists at a beautiful residence, while they are able to interact with Clive Powsey at both North Island College and the gallery.”
The exhibition MAP includes drawings, video, prints, performance, sculpture and community participation.
Throughout the summer CVAG will also host Make Art Wednesdays, an all-ages interactive event in which participants will respond to the work presented in the MAP exhibition. Admission is by donation and materials are provided.
The cultural mapping symposium, Where is Here?, is a partnership between CVAG and Vancouver Island University. It includes keynote speakers from international to local, panel discussions. There are various cost options for attending. Visit www.whereishereculturalmapping.com for details, and to register.
CVAG has organized art events that are free and open to the public for each evening of the symposium.
For more details on CVAG’s summer programming, call 250-338-6211 or visit www.comoxvalleyartgallery.com