Brenda Roy is one of the few metal artists in Canada extensively using stone inlay in her work. She is constantly experimenting to find unexpected and non-traditional ways of incorporating stone into jewellery pieces. "Much of my work explores contrasts in colour and texture: smooth stone and polished metal set off by fused or roller printed textures; the play of colour in unique stone inlays; precious gems and metals paired with rough minerals or broken pottery shards; and contemporary designs that have the feel of ancient artifacts I love to play with the surprise of asymmetrical designs and unexpected material combinations." – Brenda Roy View Brenda's jewellery collection on The Avenue Gallery's website: https://theavenuegallery.com/artists/jewellers/roy-brenda/

Join Munro’s Books for a Short Story Month Celebration!! We'll launch three exciting new short story collections by Carleigh Baker, Shashi Bhat, and Terese Svoboda! From one of the country’s most celebrated new writers, Carleigh Baker, comes a blistering collection of short fiction that is bracingly relevant, playfully irreverent, and absolutely unforgettable. There’s a hole in the ozone layer. Are teenage girls to blame? Floods and wildfires, toxic culture, billionaires in outer space, or a purse-related disaster while on mushrooms—in today’s hellscape world, there’s no shortage of things to worry about. Last Woman, the new collection of short fiction by award-winning author Carleigh Baker, wants you to know that you’re not alone. In these 13 brilliant new stories, Baker and her perfectly-drawn characters are here for you—in fact, they’re just as worried and weirded-out as everyone else. A woman’s dream of poetic solitude turns out to be a recipe for loneliness. A retiree is convinced that his silence is the only thing that will prevent a deadly sinkhole. An emerging academic wakes up and chooses institutional violence. A young woman finds sisterhood in a strange fertility ritual, and an enigmatic empath is on a cleanse. Baker’s characters are both wildly misguided and a product of the misguided times in which we live. Through them we see our world askew and skewered—and, perhaps, we can begin to see it anew. Carleigh Baker’s signature style is irreverent, but her heart is true—these stories delve into fear for the future, intergenerational misunderstandings, and the complexities of belonging with sharp wit and boundless empathy. With equal parts compassion and critique, she brings her clear-eyed attention to bear on our world, and the results are hilarious, heartbreaking, and startling in their freshness. CARLEIGH BAKER is an author and teacher of nêhiyaw âpihtawikosisân and European descent. Born and raised on Stó:lō territory, she currently lives on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and səl̓ilwəta (Tsleil-Waututh) peoples. Her debut story collection, Bad Endings (Anvil Press, 2017), won the City of Vancouver Book Award, and was also a finalist for the Rogers Writers’ Trust Fiction Prize, and the Emerging Indigenous Voices Award for fiction. ___ From the Governor General’s Award-shortlisted author of The Most Precious Substance on Earth, Shashi Bhat, comes a breathtaking and sharply funny collection about the everyday trials and impossible expectations that come with being a woman: Death by a Thousand Cuts. A writer discovers that her ex has published a novel about their breakup. An immunocompromised woman falls in love, only to have her body betray her. After her boyfriend makes an insensitive comment, a college student finds an experimental procedure that promises to turn her brown eyes blue. A Reddit post about a man’s habit of grabbing his girlfriend’s breasts prompts a shocking confession. An unsettling second date leads to the testing of boundaries. And when a woman begins to lose her hair, she embarks on an increasingly nightmarish search for answers. With honesty, tenderness, and a skewering wit, these stories boldly wrestle with rage, longing, illness, and bodily autonomy, and their inescapable impacts on a woman’s relationships with others and with herself. SHASHI BHAT is the author of the novels The Family Took Shape, a finalist for the Thomas Raddall Atlantic Fiction Award, and, most recently, The Most Precious Substance on Earth, a finalist for the Governor General's Award for fiction. Death by a Thousand Cuts is her first book of short fiction. Her stories have won the Writers’ Trust/McClelland & Stewart Journey Prize and been shortlisted for a National Magazine Award and the RBC Bronwen Wallace Award for Emerging Writers, and appeared in such publications as Hazlitt, The Fiddlehead, The Malahat Review, Best Canadian Stories, and The Journey Prize Stories. Shashi holds an MFA from the Johns Hopkins University and a BA from Cornell University. She lives in New Westminster, B.C., where she is the editor-in-chief of EVENT magazine and teaches creative writing at Douglas College. ___ In Terese Svoboda's The Long Swim, a runaway circus lion haunts a small town where two lovers risk more than their respective marriages. A junket to Cuba and an ambassador’s dalliance with a niece hide dark secrets and political revolution. “I’ve always had a knife,” says the unstable stepson to his parents. Inventive, dark, and absurd, the stories in The Long Swim capture Terese Svoboda’s clear-eyed, wry angle on the world: a place of violence and uncertainty but also wild beauty, adventure, and love both lasting and ephemeral. Her characters strive for escape—through romance, travel, or more self-destructive pursuits—and collide with the constraints of family and home, their longing for freedom and autonomy often at odds with the desire for safety and harmony. Cynical, irreverent, and formally daring, Svoboda’s stories in The Long Swim are a deft exploration of womanhood and humanity. Waves of provocation and wonder toss the reader and leave them wanting more. TERESE SVOBODA is the author of over twenty books, including fiction, poetry, biography, translation, and memoir. Her two most recent novels are Dog on Fire and Roxy and Coco. Her many honors include a Guggenheim fellowship, the Bobst Prize in fiction, the Iowa Poetry Prize, an NEH translation grant, the Graywolf Press Nonfiction Prize, a Jerome Foundation grant, the O. Henry Award for the short story, and a Pushcart Prize for the essay. WHEN: Wednesday, May 29th at 7:00 p.m. (doors at 6:30). WHERE: In-store at Munro's Books, 1108 Government St. in Victoria. WHAT: Readings from new work by Carleigh Baker, Shashi Bhat, and Terese Svoboda, followed by a Q&A with the audience and book signings. Refreshments will be provided. HOW: This event is free to attend.

The Art Gallery of Greater Victoria is excited to announce the 35th TD Art Gallery Paint-In on Saturday, July 20, 2024! The TD Art Gallery Paint-In is the largest summer arts festival on Vancouver Island, bringing Vancouver Island artists together in celebration of art. This beloved festival draws 40,000 visitors annually to explore and experience art along Moss Street. Any questions? Please contact paint-in@aggv.ca for any questions about the Art Gallery Paint-In.

Join the Wild Prose Reading Series on Thursday, May 30th for BACK to the Future! Readings about time travel and nostalgia, from Astrid Blodgett (This is How You Start to Disappear), Kevin Chong (The Double Life of Benson Yu), and Lori Hahnel (Flicker)! We’ll begin with an open mic, as always (ALL genres welcome) at 7:00 (sign up at 6:30) and then featured readings will start at 7:30. BACK to the Future! with Astrid Blodgett, Kevin Chong, and Lori Hahnel Thursday, May 30th at Paul Phillips Hall, 1923 Fernwood Road Doors 6:30 Open Mic 7:00 Featured Readers 7:30 Admission: $5 or pay what you can (CASH) Free refreshments Please bring CASH for admission and books More info: https://www.susansanfordblades.com/wild-prose-reading-series

Please join Munro’s Books in launching two new books by local authors about wildlife conversation!! We'll present Greg Cummings, author of Gorilla Tactics: How to Save a Species and Sarah Cox, author of Signs of Life: Fieldnotes From the Frontlines of Extinction in conversation with Bob McDonald, author of The Future is Now: Solving the Climate Crisis with Today's Technologies, and host of CBC Radio's Quirks and Quarks! Gorillas are among the most recognizable of the large charismatic mammals, but climate change and poaching has brought them to the brink of extinction. Greg Cummings was the executive director of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund for seventeen years. He shares his fascinating experiences as a “wildlife Robin Hood”—raising money from the rich and famous and redistributing it to endangered gorillas and their habitats. He met and enlisted the help of celebrities such as Sigourney Weaver, Arthur C. Clark, Douglas Adams, and Leonardo DiCaprio. This thirty-year worldwide journey moves from boardrooms in Manhattan and London to mountain treks in Rwanda and Congo. Gorilla Tactics is sure to enchant readers with Greg’s unique experiences, while sharing insight into the work it takes to save a species from extinction. GREG CUMMINGS has been featured in international publications such as the Guardian, Ecologist, and Sea Angler. In 2006 his organization was awarded the BBC Animal Award for best wildlife conservation program. A fundraiser since 1990, Cummings has raised money in America, Britain, France, Holland, Italy, and Canada for causes ranging from wildlife conservation to mental health. As director of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund UK, he set up dozens of innovative, grassroots projects in troubled parts of the world—many of which are self-sustaining to this day. His global perspective has given him an eye for where the next crisis might arise, and how to thwart it. He lives in Victoria, British Columbia. -- What’s to be done when only three spotted owls are left in Canada’s wild? When wolves eat endangered caribou, cormorants kill rare trees, and housing developments threaten a tiny frog? Environmental journalist Sarah Cox has witnessed what happens when we drive species to the brink of extinction. In Signs of Life, she tags along with the Canadian military, Indigenous guardians, biologists, conservationists, and ordinary people who are racing to save hundreds of species before it’s too late. Travelling across the country, Cox visits the Toronto Zoo, home of Canada’s only wildlife biobank, where scientists conserve living cells from endangered species in the event of future loss; tours Canada’s military bases, home to some of Canada’s last preserved ecosystems; and travels to Indigenous communities where land stewards are striving to restore the delicate ecological balance that has sustained people for millennia. Through the eyes and work of individuals who are bringing species back from the precipice, Cox delivers both an urgent message and a fresh perspective on how we can protect biodiversity and begin to turn things around. SARAH COX is an award-winning author and journalist based in Victoria, B.C. In 2022, Cox won the Canadian Association of Journalists’ Award for Environmental & Climate Change Reporting and her investigative reporting for the Narwhal has also been awarded the World Press Freedom Award and the Canadian Journalism Foundation’s Jackman Award for Excellence in Journalism. She has also won a Gold Digital Publishing Award with her colleagues at The Narwhal and previously won two Western Magazine Awards. Sarah’s first book Breaching the Peace: The Site C Dam and a Valley’s Stand Against Big Hydro won a B.C. Book Prize and was a finalist for the Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for Political Writing (Writers’ Trust of Canada) and the George Ryga Award for Social Awareness in Literature. -- BOB McDONALD has been the host of CBC Radio’s Quirks & Quarks since 1992. He is a regular science commentator on CBC's News Network and a science correspondent for CBC TV’s The National. His book Measuring the Earth with a Stick was shortlisted for the Canadian Science Writers Association Book Award. He has been honoured with the 2001 Michael Smith Award for Science Promotion from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada; the 2002 Sandford Fleming Medal from The Royal Canadian Institute; and the 2005 McNeil Medal for the Public Awareness of Science from the Royal Society of Canada. In November 2011, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada. WHEN: Wednesday, May 22nd at 7:00 p.m. (doors at 6:30) WHERE: In-store at Munro's Books, 1108 Government St. in Victoria WHAT: Readings from Greg Cummings and Sarah Cox, followed by a conversation moderated by Bob McDonald and a Q&A with the audience. Book signings will follow. HOW: This event is free to attend.

CineVic presents the 12th annual Short Circuit Pacific Rim Film Festival 2-5 May 2024 37 short films in 6 screening programs over 4 days • Curated selections from regions around the Pacific Ocean including Vancouver Island, New Zealand, Taiwan, Colombia, Korea, California, British Columbia, and more • Workshop, panel, and networking opportunities for filmmakers and audiences Full program info and tickets at: www.shortcircuitfilmfestival.com

https://www.artopenings.ca/stefan-lehmann.html Stefan Lehmann presents his solo show “A Little Light” at Gage Gallery May 7-26. Opening May 9, 6:00-9:00. In support of the Umbrella Society. Gage Gallery Arts Collective, 19 Bastion Square, Victoria BC V8W 1J1 250-592-2760, info@gagegallery.ca; Hours: Tuesday to Sunday 11:00-5:00

Listening With Ourselves: Welcome Gathering and Introduction Everyone is welcome to the first gathering of the Listening-With project, a six-week series of workshops, conversations, and outdoor events that give space and time for asking how our personal, ancestral, and professional experiences and realities affect how we listen, and how we sound, specifically within the territories of the lək̓ʷəŋən peoples. Ləléʔnə Listening-With recognizes that artists and all community members have work to do with respect to the climate emergency, social justice, and a meaningful commitment to respectful relations with the original peoples of these lands. In this opening gathering, we will pose some of the questions we have been asking about the ways we approach art, music and sound practices as a community. Over a series of workshops, conversations, presentations and outdoor practices during the month of May, we hope to begin a process of change, reconnection and to strengthen relationships through listening and soundmaking. A final Ləléʔnə Listening-With Open Gathering on June 2 invites everyone involved in the project to share insights, ideas, practices, and possible new ways of working. Please see main Ləléʔnəŋ Listening-With page for more information. https://openspacearts.ca/listening-with *This facility is wheelchair accessible. The welcoming gathering will include two workshops: Sxwamales: gifts from our ancestors, a workshop led by Yuxwelupton Bradley Dick, will introduce traditionally inclusive ways of creating circle agreements with one another during shared times in Ləléʔnə Listening-With. *Please bring an item that reflects the listening work we are coming collectively to do and how it forms your identity. The workshop is offered to prepare us for how we work with like hearts and like minds. **A light meal will be available afterwards. Deep Listening and Reciprocal Listening is a workshop led by Tina Pearson that brings elements from the late composer Pauline Oliveros’ Deep Listening practice; Biospheric Art Practice; listening practices and strategies from activities such as hunting, soundwalking, dreaming, and dancing; and ways to consider collective listening and sounding.

You’re invited to an Open House at the Institute of Ocean Sciences on Saturday June 8, 2024 from 9:00 am–3:00 pm. Tour a Coast Guard vessel, learn about earthquakes, and participate in hands-on science in our labs. This is an excellent opportunity to speak with staff and discover new career opportunities. Join us for a day of discovery and fun for the whole family. On-site parking is limited, free shuttle from off-site parking will be available.

Deluge Contemporary Art 636 Yates Street, Victoria BC | Wed to Sat, 12 to 5pm | deluge.ca May 3 to 31, 2024 Opening Friday, May 3, 7 to 10pm I’m not sure I know exactly what clouds are is a collection of built photographic images and objects, utilizing the sky and clouds to understand the transient nature of photography. Meganelizabeth Diamond experiments with historical and contemporary photographic processes, blending and emphasizing the slippage between them. Cloud formations serve as both subject and metaphor, symbolizing stages of fluidity and grief. To bend the sky, to fold a cloud, to cut through the horizon. Cloud stacks and sky tubes. Working at the intersection of photography, collage, new media and moving image, Meganelizabeth Diamond’s practice employs both analog and digital approaches in alternative modes of image building through explorations of the natural world via emotional connectivity, artificiality and perception.

🌿 🐴 Discover Your Path to Personal Empowerment and Leadership Mastery! 🐴 🌿 Escape the hustle and reconnect with your inner strength amidst the tranquil beauty of our private facility and beautiful herd! Join us for an unforgettable day of Equine Experiences, where the wisdom of horses meets the transformative power of self-mastery. 🌀 Unleash Your Potential: Engage in hands-on Equine Facilitated Learning, guided by an experienced, certified and insured facilitator. Learn the art of non-verbal communication, emotional regulation, authentic leadership, burnout prevention and more all through our unique signature experiences with horses! 🧘🏽‍♀️ Renew Your Spirit: Immerse yourself in nature and holistic wellness, including mindfulness meditation, breath work, and somatic practices. Reconnect with the rhythms of nature as you explore your mindset challenges finding peace and balance in the midst of modern chaos. 🌸 Empower Your Journey: Whether you're seeking personal growth, leadership skills, or simply a deeper connection with yourself and the world around you, our Horse Powered Self Mastery offers a transformative journey tailored to your needs. No horse experience required. Ideal for ages 12+ Everything is unmounted. 🏆 Check my website for several testimonials and 100% 5 star reviews!! http://www.consciousequineconnections.com 💫 Our April workshop is already full! Our other 2024 dates are: Saturday May 18 Saturday Jun 1 Saturday June 29 Saturday and Sunday July 13 & 14 Workshops typically run from 9:30 am - 4:30 pm and include a local, organic lunch, organic teas/coffee/juice, snacks and materials plus your tuition time and equine experiences. We promote a gifting economy and offer a sliding scale price guideline of $295-555. We also offer one scholarship per year to a nominated individual, if you would like to nominate a community member please email me with your name, your nominee name and email and why you are nominating them. 🔗 To register please fill in this form: https://consciousequineconnections.com/forms/ You will be asked to send a deposit of $100 to secure your spot! 🌟 Spaces are limited for our 2024 offerings, so reserve your spot today and embark on a journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and renewal. Join us and discover what Horse Powered Self-Mastery can teach you! 📧 Any further questions can be directed to juliana@consciousequineconnections.com

Home: Voices in Motion Choirs in Concert Saturday, May 11th, 2024: 2pm With special guests Angela Scandale, soprano and Philip O’Reilly, tenor First Metropolitan Building (formerly First Metropolitan United) Corner of Quadra and Balmoral Streets, Victoria Admission by Donation (suggested $20) Join us for a Saturday afternoon of music, laughter and joy as we discover what ‘home’ means to each of us. Whether it’s John Denver’s classic ‘Take Me Home, Country Roads’, or the timeless Welsh melody of ‘The Ashgrove, My Home’, the Voices in Motion singers will delight our audience with their enthusiasm for being together in song. Our special guests this afternoon will be Angela Scandale, soprano and Philip O’Reilly, tenor. Voices in Motion is a multigenerational choir that intersects the worlds of research and music. People, young and old, sing together and the results for many have been life-changing. In addition to a joy-filled choral experience, singers benefit from belonging to a supportive community where they experience love, connection and support. These life-giving moments of music foster increased socialization, cognitive function, meaningfulness, and a multigenerational appreciation of others. Voices in Motion is directed by Christine Chepyha. https://voicesinmotionchoirs.org/ ViM May 2024 electronic poster.pdf

Join Munro’s Books on Victoria Day to meet the authors of four local books: Collin Varner's 50 Keystone Flora Species of Coastal British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest and 50 Keystone Fauna Species of Coastal British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest; Taryn Eyton's Backpacking on Vancouver Island; and Dave Doroghy and Graeme Menzies' 111 Places in Victoria That You Must Not Miss! 12:00-1:30 p.m.: Collin Varner and Taryn Eyton About 50 Keystone Flora Species of Coastal British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest: A keystone species is an organism that defines and supports an entire ecosystem, filling a vital ecological niche. Without these species, the ecosystem would be radically altered or even collapse. This pocket-sized field guide by bestselling naturalist Collin Varner highlights 50 keystone trees, flowering plants, fruit-bearing plants, marine plants, and fungi found across the Pacific Northwest bioregion—including Douglas Fir, Sitka Spruce, Large-leafed Lupine, Wild Mint, Salal, Salmonberry, Marine Eelgrass, Red-belted Polypore, and more. Each entry features clear photography, etymology, descriptions, habitat information, risks and warnings. This convenient and easy reference is perfect for casual walkers, hikers, campers, and beachcombers, and draws awareness to the importance of conservation and protection of these crucial species. About 50 Keystone Fauna Species of Coastal British Columbia and the Pacific Northwest: A keystone species is an organism that defines and supports an entire ecosystem, filling a vital ecological niche. Without these species, the ecosystem would be radically altered or even collapse. This pocket-sized field guide by bestselling naturalist Collin Varner highlights 50 keystone birds, mammals, amphibians, insects, fish, shellfish, and mollusks found across the Pacific Northwest bioregion—including the American Crow, Bald Eagle, American Beaver, California Sea Lion, Sea Otter, Orca, Coyote, Grizzly Bear, Giant Pacific Octopus, Chinook Salmon, Pacific Tree Frog, Pacific Banana Slug, Mixed Bumblebee, and more. Each entry features clear photography, etymology, descriptions, habitat information, risks and warnings. This convenient and easy reference is perfect for casual walkers, hikers, campers, beachcombers, sailors, paddlers, and whale watchers, and draws awareness to the importance of conservation and protection of these crucial species. About Backpacking on Vancouver Island: Discover 35 of Vancouver Island’s best day hikes and overnight trips. Vancouver Island is home to legendary backpacking routes, and this expertly researched book takes you to the best of the best, whether you’re looking for a weekend trip to a mountain peak, a multi-day adventure to a secluded beach, or an easy day trip to a waterfall. The author, Taryn Eyton, is an experienced backpacker and Leave No Trace Master Educator. In addition to sharing the best backpacking routes on the Island, she provides practical advice to promote fun wilderness experiences and minimize your environmental impact. Every featured backpacking trip includes: Elevation, distance, and time information Route descriptions and trail maps Points of cultural and natural history Tips on where to camp and where to find water Information about fees, permits, and reservations 1:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.: Dave Doroghy and Graeme Menzies About 111 Places in Victoria That You Must Not Miss: Authors Dave Doroghy and Graeme Menzies take you to find the cool, the quirky, and the unusual places hidden in Victoria amidst the fascinating architecture and glorious outdoor scenery. Visit the place where author Rudyard Kipling slept. Explore Canada’s largest ant farm. Answer the call of nature in a pub’s haunted loo. Or take a date to a secluded, waterfront fish-and-chips shop. See the world’s tallest totem pole while it still stands. If it’s history you’re after, consider that James Cook was the first non-indigenous person to set foot near here in 1778. Later, the Hudson’s Bay Company established the spot as a trading post, naming it Fort Victoria after the reigning British queen. Vestiges of the old British Empire can still be spotted in the majestic colonial buildings in the inner harbor, the red double decker buses on its busy streets and the occasional old fashioned British telephone booths. God Save the King! WHEN: Monday, May 20th from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. WHERE: At Munro's Books, 1108 Government St. Outside, weather permitting, or inside the store. WHAT: Book signings with Collin Varner, Taryn Eyton, Dave Doroghy, and Graeme Menzies HOW: This event is free to attend.

The Sooke Philharmonic Society is thrilled to announce the much-awaited return of its annual Sooke Secret Garden Tour scheduled for Saturday, June 1st and Sunday, June 2nd. The Garden Tour will be followed by an outdoor garden concert on Sunday, June 2 at 4:30pm. This highly anticipated event offers a delightful opportunity for gardening enthusiasts, as well as music and art lovers alike, to immerse themselves in the beauty and serenity of some of the most captivating gardens in Sooke. The Garden Tour promises a journey through garden landscapes, each boasting a unique design. Participants will have the chance to explore a diverse array of gardens, from sprawling sanctuaries to intimate urban oases, all lovingly cultivated by passionate gardeners within our community. "We are excited to showcase the diversity and creativity of local gardeners through our annual Garden Tour," said Bonnie Sprinkling, SSGT Coordinator. "This event is not only a celebration of gardens but also an opportunity to enjoy the music of the orchestra and view the arts of the community." This year's tour will feature eight gardens and three special destinations. In addition to exploring the enchanting gardens, attendees will have the chance to exchange ideas and tips with fellow gardening enthusiasts. As well, members of the Victoria Master Gardeners will be on hand to offer expert guidance. Tickets for the Garden Tour are available for purchase now at sookephil.ca. Proceeds directly support Sooke Philharmonic's mission to keep music performance and wellness accessible in our community. Don't miss this opportunity to be inspired by the splendor of our local gardens. For ticket information and tour details, please visit https://www.sookephil.ca/secretgardentour

Travels Without My Aunt, no passport required! Come join local artist Simon P Stuart at the ArtSea Gallery in Sidney from June 14 to the 20th, as he takes you around the world as part of his first ever solo show and sale. The artist will be in attendance from 10:00 to 4:00 daily and is keen to swap stories about his travel adventures. Reception to be held on Saturday June 15 from 2:00 to 3:30 at 9565 Fifth Street, Sidney BC. Put on your best travel shoes, leave your luggage behind and come join the adventure.

Cordova Bay Art Group The Cordova Bay Art Group is having an art show and sale on May 11, 2024, from 10 am – 3 pm. The event will take place in the Annex adjacent to Cordova Bay Elementary School at 5238 Cordova Bay Road. Group members work in various mediums including watercolour, acrylic, oil, pastel, collage, mixed media, ink, pen, and pencil. The art show will feature original artwork, art cards and more! Come out and see the work of these very talented artists! A portion of the proceeds supports the Cordova Bay 55+ Association. For more information see the website here. https://cordovabay55plus.org/activities-events/special-interest-groups/art-group/

Join Munro's Books on May 10th to meet Emma Fitzgerald, author of Hand Drawn Victoria: An Illustrated Tour in and Around BC's Capital City!! For locals and visitors alike, these sketches and stories highlight both the historic monuments and everyday moments that make Victoria shine. You never know quite what you’ll come across in British Columbia’s capital city. With its unmissable landmarks that attract people from around the world, Victoria is also rich in forested beauty, charming houses, and curious people, and is steeped in local history. Following the charm of her previous book, Hand Drawn Vancouver, in this memorable book, Emma FitzGerald captures the coastal city of Victoria and its surrounding communities in over 100 sketches of: Iconic Landmarks: It wouldn’t be a visit to Victoria without stopping by the Empress, Munro’s, or Butchart Gardens. Local Favourites: The longstanding Beacon Drive In and James Bay’s Birdcage Confectionary are some beloved spots honoured within these pages. Beautiful Architecture: Journey back in time by admiring historic buildings, like Queen Anne–style homes and the spiraling Belfry Theatre. Stunning West Coast Landscape: Explore natural wonders, from culturally significant fields of camas flowers to Mystic Beach’s stunning shoreline. Overheard Conversations: What really makes a city are the people who live there—Emma documents snippets of passersby’s conversations as she sketches. Structured by neighbourhood, Hand Drawn Victoria is a beautiful keepsake for locals and visitors alike, and a lovely way to celebrate the city—its buildings, its people, and its essence. EMMA FITZGERALD was born to Irish parents in Lesotho, a small mountainous kingdom in Southern Africa. She moved to Canada at a young age and spent most of her childhood in Vancouver, BC. Emma received a BFA in Visual Art from the University of British Columbia in 2004, and a Masters in Architecture from Dalhousie University in 2008. She has worked in architecture offices across Canada and in Johannesburg, South Africa. Her love of drawing on location led to her first book, Hand Drawn Halifax, and its follow-up, Sketch by Sketch Along Nova Scotia’s South Shore. She then turned her interest in people and places to where she grew up; Hand Drawn Vancouver was published in 2020 as she began working on Hand Drawn Victoria. In between her Hand Drawn series, Emma has illustrated five children’s books, including EveryBody’s Different on EveryBody Street, written by Sheree Fitch. She lives and draws in Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. WHEN: Friday, May 10th from 1:00-2:30 p.m. WHERE: In-store at Munro's Books, 1108 Government St. WHAT: Meet and greet plus book signing with Emma Fitzgerald. HOW: This event is free to attend.

The Avenue Gallery is proud to announce its upcoming collective exhibition, "Botanical Encounters," showcasing the works of eleven talented painters. Featuring floral artistry in all its glory, "Botanical Encounters" invites viewers to embark on a visual journey through lush landscapes, timeless floral arrangements, and bold interpretations of nature's bounty. The participating artists in this eagerly anticipated exhibition include: Corre Alice, Tanya Bone, Mary-Jean Butler, Eunmi Conacher, Denna Erickson, Becky Holuk, Kimberly Kiel, William Liao, Angela Morgan, Cindy Revell and Jo-Anne Westerby. Join The Avenue Gallery from May 9th to 23rd to experience the enchanting world of "Botanical Encounters." Image: 'Rosy Outlook' by Becky Holuk, acrylic on canvas, 24" x 48"

“Come Together in Harmony”, which is South Island Harmony’s first Spring Show in five years, presents through brilliant song a fanciful, tongue-in-cheek version of how Dr. Kinza Tyrrell came to be our new Artistic Director. Synopsis: o A long-running barbershop chorus, somewhat set in their ways, is thrown for a loop by a new director. o Lydia Plinkett, (read: our own Kinza Tyrrell) is a classically trained Music PhD and acclaimed concert pianist who brings her own daring new ideas to her first practice night with the chorus. o What follows is an inspiring story of the (sometimes bumpy) road to finding true friendship and mutual respect in unexpected places, bonding through trust, cooperation, collaboration and commitment. “Come together in Harmony” is a positive story of hope and reconciliation applicable to our times where division and confrontation are ubiquitous. Featured: The mighty Trounce Alley Quartet entertains audiences all over the South Island with a diverse repertoire, singing everything from old Barbershop classics to modern movie theme songs. We also welcome guest quartets Secret Fourmula and Lady & the Tramps, a mixed quartet from Nanaimo. South Island Harmony takes pride in serving, and making a positive contribution to, our community.

FREE self-guided tour of 18 artists at 9 locations in the Cadboro Bay, Gordon Head and Mount Tolmie areas. Saturday & Sunday May 11th & 12th 11am to 4pm https://www.hillstoshoreartists.ca/brochure-and-map.html