The Comox Valley Project Watershed Society is holding its sixth annual Keeping It Living art campaign to raise funds for the protection and restoration of the K’ómoks Estuary.
This year’s title Then, Now and Future asked artists to capture their vision of the past, present and future of the estuary.
Internationally renowned local K’ómoks First Nation artist Andy Everson has created an image for this year’s campaign entitled Stillness.
Art submissions for this year’s campaign will be on display at the Pearl Ellis Gallery at 1729 A Comox Ave. from May 12-31.
During this time all pieces will be available for silent auction with half the proceeds going to the artist and half to the fundraising campaign. The silent auction can be accessed on Project Watershed’s website, projectwatershed.ca
Limited edition prints of Everson’s work will be on sale at the Pearl Ellis Gallery as well as at Project Watershed’s offices at 2356A Rosewall Crescent, Tintown and online at keepingitliving.ca
To celebrate this year’s campaign, Project Watershed will be holding the “Upstairs Downstairs” Gala Event at the Pearl Ellis Gallery on May 23 from 7-9 p.m. featuring:
Upstairs (Pearl Ellis)
• Silent auction
• Andy Everson’s estuary artwork”Stillness”
Downstairs (Lion’s Den)
• A “taste of the estuary” including Hollie Wood Oysters, 40 Knot Winery, smoked salmon and Natural Pastures cheese.
• Live auction of five jury-selected art submissions from this year’s campaign
• A presentation on Project Watershed’s estuary projects
• Keeping It Living limited edition print sales
Tickets to the gala are available for $20 online at keepingitliving.ca, at the Pearl Ellis Gallery, and the Comox Valley Art Gallery. Ticket holders will qualify for door prizes, including an Andy Everson limited edition print, a gift certificate to Yiamas Greek Restaurant and wine from 40 Knots vineyards.
Project Watershed is a small non-profit society, but with community support they have achieved much success and have ambitious plans for the future. Initiatives for protecting and restoring the K’ómoks Estuary include:
• Working on internationally important blue carbon research
• Planting salt marsh and eelgrass to mitigate climate change
• Modifying the Airpark lagoon to be better habitat
• Supporting local archeologists in groundbreaking research
• Preparing a bid for national historic status
• Working towards the purchase and restoration of the Field Sawmill property
There are many ways to donate to Project Watershed’s efforts to restore the “salmon highway” and reduce effects of global warming at the Gala evening including: becoming a member or volunteer, buying art cards, prints or posters, bidding on the silent auction artwork or the live juried auction, as well as making a donation and becoming informed.
For more information visit projectwatershed.ca or keepingitliving.ca.
To bid on any artwork, register and bid at the sites provided.
The Pearl Ellis Gallery is a volunteer run, nonprofit gallery located at 1729 Comox Ave.
To see more about the Comox gallery and what it has to offer go to pearlellisgallery.com
