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It’s business as ‘unusual’ at the Hearth

Updates from our local arts council
A painting of trees with light shining through
Jean Bradbury’s show launched just before the Gallery closed due to COVID-19. Soon, a virtual tour will be available.

Arts and culture play a vital role in helping us stay connected and to make sense of the new world we are stepping into and the one we are leaving behind. 

Planning and supporting arts and cultural programming during these uncertain times presents challenges. As creative beings, we meet those challenges with innovations and a positive outlook. 

The Hearth’s new executive director, Jami Scheffer, has arrived on Bowen and settled in with her dog, Roscoe. 

You might see her through the window at the gallery office these days as she gets acquainted with all things Arts Council. 

We wish Jami a very warm welcome and give praise to the search committee for finding the right person to lead the arts council into this new age and bright future. And we say a fond farewell to outgoing executive director, Jacqueline Massey. It feels very strange not to be able to connect in person and celebrate her many years of dedication and leadership. 

We look forward to the days when we can gather again and celebrate with our wonderful creative community. 

The Hearth acknowledges the valuable contributions that our dedicated volunteers make to the operation of our gallery and programs. Normally, we would have a party to celebrate during national volunteer week, but due to physical distancing, we will come up with other creative ways to honour our volunteers.  

As you are aware, the Gallery @ Cove Commons is closed to the public until further notice and previously scheduled programming has been cancelled or postponed. While we miss the physical connection to our beautiful gallery, the exterior is being transformed! A huge shout out to the municipality and Bowenshire Landscaping for the work being done to make the exterior space accessible, functional and beautiful. Thank you.

The current exhibition, Forests of the Coast, paintings and light boxes by Jean Bradbury will be available as a virtual tour in the very near future. There will also be an interview with the artist available soon with a link on the Hearth website and social media.  Artworks are being sold (Congratulations Jean!) even though the gallery is closed to the public and the exhibition dates have been extended. Arrangements can be made to view the works by contacting Curator Emilie Kaplun, at curator@thehearth.ca. Proper protocol as outlined by the health authorities will be strictly maintained. 

Calls for entry have gone out for the 2021 exhibition season at the Gallery @ Cove Commons as well as the open call for the Saving Sea to Sky Exhibit. Information and applications are available on the Hearth website. 

More online content will be on offer in the near future as we work together to support and nurture arts and culture in our community and beyond. 

The Hearth sponsors groups and organizations so that they may offer the quality performances we are blessed with on Bowen. Members of the Hearth can also take advantage of the benefit of sponsorship of their events, which includes liability insurance ($25 fee required), enhanced publicity and ticket sales, both online and at the Gallery @ Cove Commons. For more information about sponsorship and becoming a member of the Hearth, please contact programs@thehearth.ca.  If you have been a member in the past, we would love to have you back. 

How are you filling your creative well? Are you teaching or learning online? Have you transformed your kitchen table into a creative space? We welcome you to share your creative content on our facebook and instagram pages. Tag us @bowenislandartscouncil or email programs@thehearth.ca to be included in our weekly update. Let’s stay in (virtual) touch

Many artists are facing loss of income as public spaces and galleries close and events are cancelled or postponed. The federal government is putting in place emergency benefits to help those who do not qualify for Employment Insurance. Information is available at Canada.ca for this emergency funding. Other COVID-19 resources are available for artists and arts organization through BC Alliance for Arts and Culture, BC Arts Council and Canada Council for the Arts. 

Arts and culture help create a healthier, more resilient community enhancing a sense of identity and belonging. We are honored to play a lead role in forwarding arts and culture on Bowen Island. 

 

We invite you to visit the website at thehearth.ca for more information.