Annual Report · “It is in the act of creativity that empowerment lies, and through sharing creativity that understanding is promoted.” “Diversity, passion, self-expression,

H E A R T H A RT S O N B OWE N

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AnnualReport

BOWEN ISLAND ARTS COUNCIL 2017-2018V

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Believe. It’s possible here.

A year of transition

WELCOME HOME CULTURAL PLANGALLERY OUR PEOPLEPROGRAMS DONORS & SUPPORTERS

From Artisan Square to the Cove Commons in Snug Cove, the 30 year-old nonprofit Arts Council is happy to have its own home.

We positively absolutely couldn’t do it without you.

Bowen’s community art gallery, now in its 21st year, is proud to showcase established and emerging creative entrepreneurs.

A cultural plan “should offer hope, ideas and opportunities.”

From youth to seniors, we offer an array of workshops, classes and opportunities to expand arts education and creative experiences.

Champions of the arts.

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“It is in the act of creativity that empowerment lies, and through sharing creativity that understanding is promoted.”

“Diversity, passion, self-expression, beauty, aspiration, transformation and prosperity are by-products of cultural vitality.”

For the Bowen Island Arts

Council, the past year was

peppered with landmarks. It

was a year of transitioning

from the old to the new.

It was about celebrating

the past and embracing

the future. Now in its

31st year of serving the

community, the organization

has come home to a new

space and place in the

hearts and minds of our

island community. Still a

small but fierce entity, the

arts council continues to

champion the arts on many

levels, through providing

leadership and delivery

of a myriad of services

and programs. This report

focuses on our past year’s

highlights and our activities

and accomplishments.

PERFORMANCE KNOWING OUR PLACE COMMUNITY CENTRE

We sing, we dance, we act out and we create memories that enhance everyone’s shared experience of being part of this talented community.

We are all artists here! And the arts council is dedicated to helping each of us explore possibilities for living deeper through creative expression.

Our dream is taking shape, and with the help of the community, and continued leadership from our Municipality, we can do it!

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The Grand Opening of the Cove

Commons was a remarkable day.

Hundreds of people assembled to

check out the new space, witness our

community’s achievement, and delight

in the camaraderie of a shared space. It

was our opportunity to say thank you

to so many folks for believing in and

supporting the collaborative project

between the Arts Council and the

Public Library.

THANK YOU BOWEN ISLAND!

Cove Commons Opens01

We raised $1 M, from the community and with assistance from our federal and federal governments to build the new public amenity. Thanks to an amazing Building Team, the project came in on time and on budget.

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RE We hosted 11 exhibits, featuring the work of 269

artists. With six months operating from the Gallery @ Artisan Square and six months from the new space, we attracted approximately 8,500 visitors, up by approximately 1,000 from the previous year.

Gallery

Packing up and leaving the Gallery

@ Artisan Square, home for 20 years,

was bittersweet. So many people

hold so many cherished memories of

that space and place. Over the two

decades we spent there, installing

and presenting approximately 11

exhibits each year, we presented work

of approximately 4,000 artists. Over

that span, we welcomed about 150,000

people into the Gallery and sold over

$800,000 in art.

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SAYING GOODBYE & HONOURING THE PAST



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It was such a thrill to move into our brand new space, purpose built as a gallery.

With storage! And a lovely kitchen to prepare for our many receptions and special

occasions. We opened the doors just in time for our annual Mini-Gala exhibit and

fundraising party. The theme – Curtain Up – resounded with the thrill of moving into

our new home. We also raised $12,000 to go towards operational costs, extending

our hours and the number of days open each week. We expanded our gift shop,

adding to the variety and number of artist wares on sale. In coordination with the

Bowen Library, we set up a satellite gallery in the Annex.

They say, “If you build it, they will come.” And they did! From June to September, we

welcomed 6,635 visitors to the Gallery @ Cove Commons. That’s an increase of over

300% from the same period one year earlier.

DISCOVERING OUR NEW SPACE



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03 ProgramsReflecting on

HATE SPEECH

Workshop facilitated by Nancy Current & Robin Atlas

Vector Artists Initiative

Presented by the Bowen Island Arts Council (BIAC)

Artworks created by

Bowen Island Community School Grade 6 Students

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Despite a few distractions (like

relocating), we managed to deliver a full

year of programming, including an array

of programs, workshops and events. In

total, we reached about 11,300 people

through 36 events and activities.

The Arts Council works with Community Recreation Department of the Municipality and other service

providers to offer educational and inspiring arts programming for islanders of all ages. Artists featured in

exhibits are invited to give demonstrations or talks about their work. This past year, Denise de Cordova, an

internationally known ceramicist, gave a talk about art, while Louise Drescher, Karen Watson and Eleanor

Rosenberg set up easels and brought along their pallettes and canvases to work their magic. Ann Beatty

also offered a demonstration of her painting style. Artists Nancy Current and Robin Atlas presented their

work in the Consequences of Hate Speech exhibit, which addressed such issues as intolerance, racism and

other social ills and also worked with school children. Over the course of a two-day workshop, students from

the Bowen Island Community School worked on projects,

writing about and visually expressing their experience of

bullying. The result was a booklet published by the Arts

Council, with the work of the students featured.

We are all artists here.



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During the past year, we presented Jenny Ritter and Sarah Jane Scouten at the Gallery @ Artisan Square and partnered with Kay Meek to present the Orford String Quartet in the new Annex space. As part of our Literary series, we hosted book launches, featuring local writers including Lisa Shatzky, Carol Cram and Pauline Le Bel. The Arts Council sponsors musical and theatrical performances and in the past year, these events included the presentations of: Bowen Island Community Choir, Measure for Measure, the Importance of Being Earnest, and Solo Flamenco. P

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PRESENTING ...

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Simon James/Winadzi, a Kwakwa’wakw Nation artist and a Bowen resident told stories and spoke a little about what the Truth

& Reconciliation process means to him and his

hopes as to what it might mean for his children’s

future.

It was an honour to be involved in the first-ever-on Bowen National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration, on June 21, 2018. Partnering with the Bowen Island Public Library, Pauline Le Bel and the Bowen Island Municipality, and sponsored by the Knick Knack Nook, and Literacy Task Group, we presented cultural ambassador, Rebecca Duncan of the Squamish First Nations, who was accompanied by a family dance troupe. Simon Daniel James was also a special guest for the event that included storytelling, singing and dancing. Those in attendance were invited to learn and participate in the Clan Dance where you could howl like a wolf, soar like an eagle, dive like an orca, or jump like a salmon. We finished the festivities with some delicious bannock and a promise to continue to gather again in a year. This celebration was a component of Knowing Our Place, a reconciliation initiative of the arts council, the Library and Pauline Le Bel. For us, this reflects the commitment to reaching out and connecting with our local First Nations to develop understanding and relationships through the expression of arts and culture.

NationalINDIGENOUSPEOPLESDay

“Because dance, music, photography and other visual arts transcend language, they can bridge barriers among cultural, racial and ethnic groups. The arts also can promote a deeper understanding of similarities and differences among religions, races and cultural traditions.”

Rebecca Duncan, whose ancestral name is Tsitsayxemaatshared ancient stories of the Squamish Nation includng the uplifting story of Chichi’yuy, those iconic mountain peaks - more recently named the Lions. Members of her family joined her singing, dancing an drumming.

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Bowen Island Community Centre06

“At the most basic

level, the arts provide

opportunities for people

to come together through

their attendance at arts

events and classes, arts

festivals, and arts fairs.

Regular involvement in

these arts activities can

produce social solidarity

and social cohesion

through the creation of

community symbols (e.g.,

neighborhood murals)

and community identity.”

(McCarthy, Ondaatje, Zakaras, & Brooks, 2004)

For decades, we’ve been talking on Bowen about

the need for a community gathering space — a

place where residents can come together to

connect, to learn, participate, and share cultural

experiences and other activities. In 2017,

Municipal Council identified the Community

Centre as a strategic priority. Council appointed a

Community Centre Select Steering Committee and

drew from the Community Centre Reserve Fund to

hire a project manager and architects. That team,

which includes the Executive Director of the Arts

Council, rolled up their sleeves and got to work.

The result is a design for a 16,000 square foot

facility, at a cost of $14.5 M that will support

community, recreation and arts programming. It

will also include municipal offices. The proposed

facility will be located on community land owned

by the Municipality, on Lot 2, adjacent to the

Community School and within proximity to Snug

Cove and other village amenities.

A Community Hall and Arts Centre (CHAC) has

been a priority for the Bowen Island Arts Council

since it was established in 1987. The nonprofit

organization has signed an MOU with the

announcement of the federal/provincial Investing

in Canadian Infrastructure program at the end of

September, a window of opportunity opened for

Bowen Island. Under this government program,

$137 M is available to projects in BC that meet

the criteria of the cultural, recreational and

community stream.



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The grant will pay for up to

73% of eligible costs. The

due date for the application is

mid January, 2019. It’s a tight

deadline, but it’s a funding

opportunity not to be missed,

and that might never come

again.

With 75% design drawings

complete, Bowen’s project

is shovel-ready. A business

case and operations plan are

being developed to ensure it is

sustainable in the long-term.

The fundraising campaign

has been launched, with

activities, events and a letter

writing campaign. The goal is

to raise approximately $3.3

M from the community as a

show of support. This, plus

the $1.2 M in reserves, and

$8 M potentially from the

government, would bring the

total to $12.5. The remaining

funds could come from the

Municipality borrowing $2 M.

The loan would be tax-neutral

because BIM already spends

approximately $137,000 per

year in rent for leased space.

Rather than this money going

to rent, it could help pay for a

public amenity.

So, can we do this?! During the

past year, huge effort has gone

into defining the function and

determining how to maximize

use of a multi-purpose facility.

Theatre, acoustic and lighting

professionals have been

engaged to ensure that the arts

community will be well served

in this space.

If the grant is successful, we

can begin building as early

as Fall of 2019, and open the

doors with a grand community

celebration by the fall of 2021.

THE IMPORTANCEOF BEING EARNEST

Presented by Theatre on

the Island, sponsored

by the Bowen Island Arts

Council

It all depends upon the people of Bowen Island. This is the time to step up. Pledges and donations are

being accepted. Letters of support are needed.

Can we make this happen for Bowen Island? Can we lose the ignominious status of being one of the

only, if not the only community in all of British Columbia that does not have a community centre? The

Arts Council and the Bowen Island Municipality are working hard together to deliver an amenity that we

have desired for many many years. Can we realize this dream? We think the answer is yes, but we know

it will only come true if members and stakeholders share the same conviction.

https://www.ourislandplace.com



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OUR CULTURE IS ... IDENTITY, BELIEFS, BEHAVIOURS, ACTIVITIES & ASPIRATIONS

One year ago, the Bowen Island

Municipality adopted the revised,

10-year Cultural Master Plan, as

Bylaw #446. As per the bylaw,

the CMP “shall be a guide for

Bowen Island’s arts and cultural

development”, and furthermore,

“Council recognizes the Bowen Island

Arts Council as the leading advisory

organization to Municipal Council for

arts and culture development and

delegates to the Bowen Island Arts

Council responsibility to direct the

implementation, in consultation with

Bowen Island Municipal Council, of the

Cultural Master Plan.”

CREATING CULTURAL SPACES is the

#1 highest priority of the CMP. We

have achieved the first priority of

establishing and operating a dedicated

cultural space in Snug Cove with the

opening of the Cove Commons. As

described, we are diligently working

towards the second priority of building

a multi-purpose community hall

and performing arts space -- a new

community centre for Bowen Island.

Next up, in terms of priorities, was to

RELIABLY FUND ARTS AND CULTURE.

We are pleased to report that the Arts

Council has entered into a multi-year

core funding agreement with the

Municipality. This has been a goal of

the nonprofit organization since it

began receiving support through the

Bowen Island Recreation Commission,

prior to the Municipality came into

existence. We are very pleased that the

agreement has been secured.

The preamble of the agreement states:

“BIM recognizes the Arts are integral

to our human existence. Culture helps

define the character or identity of a

community in which people feel a

sense of belonging. It engages citizens

in activities that help build a sense

of community, resilience, and civic

engagement. Finally, as the community

grows, culture celebrates diversity and

helps newcomers feel welcome.”

The next highest priority identified is to

SUPPORT PUBLIC ART. More good news

to report on that front. The Arts Council

worked with BIM staff on a public art

policy and program. It took a number of

drafts and updates, but ultimately, BIM

Council adopted the Public Art Program

and Policy. This provides a significant

tool for promoting the cultural vibrancy

of Bowen.

The purpose of the program is to:

• Provide access to art in public places

for all Bowen Islanders and visitors.

• Enhance Bowen Island’s desirability

as a community by creating appealing

environments in which to live,

work and play.

• Honour, preserve and encourage our

cultural heritage and artistic diversity.

• Promote civic identity through

awareness and preservation of the

community’s history and cultures.

• Support effective community

planning, economic development and

cultural tourism opportunities.

In the coming year, BIM will establish

a Public Art Advisory Committee. Its

role will be to provide advice and

recommendations to Council, using

the Public Art Program and Policy as

a guide, with the goal of integrating

art into public spaces throughout

Bowen Island. The Committee will be

comprised of seven voting members,

including a Director of the Board of the

Arts Council and a staff member.

Responding to Priority 4, HELP ARTISTS

MAKE A BETTER LIVING, the Arts

Council introduced a new program this

year — Studio Tours. We scheduled the self-guided tours

held during National Cultural Days, on the last weekend of

September. A total of 24 sites were located on the map,

including 18 home-based studios. Local people and off-

islanders criss-crossed the island connecting with visual

artists, authors, print makers, ceramicists and other creative

residents. A number of hosts reported sales and all agreed

that we should build the annual event.

Above: Mary Levenson is ready to welcome guests to his printmaking studio.

Below: Denise Richard displays her paintings for viewing over the two-day Studio Tours.



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BRANDINGCULTURAL PLAN STRATEGIC GOALS & RECOMMENDATIONS

The initiative to create a new visual

identity for the Arts Council arose

from the work undertaken to revised

the Cultural Plan. In 2017—as part of

celebration of the arts council’s 30th

anniversary—members were invited to

share their stories of how they might

envision the organization in the year

2030. These stories portray a vibrant and

diverse Bowen Island arts community and

helped define the role of the Arts Council

as we move into the next 30 years. A new

brand for BIAC emerged from stories from

myriad perspectives, but conveying a

unifying vision.

What clearly emerged from the research

was the concept of the arts council

as a hearth. Both as a physical space

and metaphoric idea, the hearth is a

symbol of safety, security, inclusiveness,

and welcoming. It is a symbol of

transformation and a gathering place for

clan and community, young and old, to

share stories, food, and experiences.

In addition to a compelling story, this new

brand articulates an essence, a promise,

a tag line and has intrinsically evolved to

include a new name.

Welcome to the Hearth: Arts on Bowen

With the tagline, “Believe. It’s possible,”

the arts council will remain true to its

promise: “We are all artists here.” Though

the legal name will remain Bowen Island

Arts Council, as the charity enters its 40th

decade it will operate with a new sense

of purpose and direction. As its essence

reflects, “The possibilities are endless.”

The next step in our journey was to hire an

artist to help us visualize the new brand

identity. Kirsten Degner, a talented local

designer, was selected and we worked

with her to create a graphic presentation

that embodied who we are and what we

aspire to be.

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08From top row on right: Kate Coffey, Chair, Edward Wachtman, Dave Pollard, Treasurer,

Kathleen Ainscough, David Adams, Judi Gedye, Tina Overbury, Greta Smith, Nerys Poole,

Rob Gloor. Missing: Peter Williamson, Corinne Metclafe.

The Arts Council Board is a hard working group who accomplished

considerable policy and other governance work over the past

year. Members also sit on various committees, both internally and

externally. On behalf of the Arts Council, Edward Wachtman, along

with the Executive Director, has a seat on the Economic Development

Committee, Tina Overbury served on the Board of Tourism Bowen

Island, and Dave Pollard was active on the Heritage Commission.



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STAFF & VOLUNTEERSThe Arts Council continues to operate with a lean team of staff supported by a talented army of

industrious volunteers. We experienced a few staff changes this year, with Marysia McGilvray leaving

the organization, though happily not moving too far

away, as she is very actively involved in the work of

the Public Library. Marysia did a stellar job as our

Program Coordinator and has now been replaced

by the talented and capable Kathleen Ainscough,

who also facilitates our ever-popular Eat Drink Paint

program. This year we fortunate to work with two

dynamic summer students, Chantel Underdown and

Stefan Kowalski. Both have returned to pursue post-

secondary education and we wish them the best of

luck.

Emilie Kaplun continues as our innovative Curator and

Jacqueline Massey remains as the Executive Director.

We can

never

understate

how

much we rely on our team of industrious and committed

volunteers. Their value is really beyond measuring, though

from a market based perspective alone, it is very impressive.

Over the past year, volunteers filled 150 roles, dedicating

5,129 hours, at a modest dollar value of just over $124,000.

We can’t thank them enough for this contribution.

At the end of last year, Shannon Rondeau, who had served

for a number of years as the Gallery Volunteer Coordinator

took her leave. Betty Dhont replaced her in the interim, and then Jacqueline Bell-Irving (pictured

above) accepted the role this year. We are so indebted to these women and applaud them for their

outstanding service.

This past year, two long-serving Board

members, Carol Cram and Mariana

Holbrook stepped away from the Board.

The two have an impressive history of

leading and very actively supporting

the endeavours of the Arts Council.

Mariana had been a Director for a total

of well over 10 years, since she first

joined the Board in the 90s. She was

the Creative Director for the Classical

Music Series, which ran for four

years, and assisted with membership

drives and helped coordinate various

fundraisers. Carol held the position

of Chair of the Arts Council for nine

years running and was integral to the

organization’s progress during that

time. At last year’s AGM, co-founder

of the nonprofit, Hans Behm, awarded

Mariana and Carol with Honorary

Lifetime Memberships. Their impact

and legacy live on and will not be

forgotten.

Peter Schmidt (1995)

Sigurd Sabathil (2002)

Hans Behm k(2003)

Ross Carter (2004)

Lois Meyers-Carter (2004)

Eric Sherlock (2005)

Ann Angus (2008)

Joan Knight (2008)

Betty Dhont (2009)

Graeme Dinsdale (2011)

Paul Hooson (2012)

Mariana Holbrook (2017)

Carol Cram (2017)

Honorary Lifetime Members of the Bowen Island Arts Council



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Saying goodbye is always hard, as people leave Bowen and our organization. In addition to Betty, we

bid farewell to Andrea Little. Both women had served over the years as Directors of the Board and

chairs of the visual arts committee. Their involvement has been massive and hugely beneficial to this

organization. They will be missed.

Greta Smith, Chair of the

Visual Arts Committee poses

with Andrea Little and Betty

Dhont. Pictured also are

members of the VAC, Carol

McNaughton and Mary-Lynn

Machado and Anne Boa and

Vikki-Michele Freckleton

In addition to those pictured above,

members of VAC during 2017-2018

included: Jackie Haase, Ingrid Hauss, Pat

Adams and Laura Robertson. These ladies

were instrumental in ensuring smooth

operations at the old and new galleries and

responsible for the success of the annual

Mini-Gala.

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WE THANK OUR PARTNERS,VOLUNTEERS, MEMBERS, SUPPORTERS & DONORSFrom the artists who donate work for the Mini-Gala fundraising event, to our

425 members who pay fees and support our events and activities, to purchasers

of local art, we are truly indebted to our community. The Arts Council raises

approximately 50% of its revenues from memberships, fundraising activities and

sales. That money is invested directly back into our community and goes a long

way in helping artists and others thrive.

Thank You to our 2017 Mini-GalaParticipating Artists

Kathleen AinscoughLea AllenPaula Love Alucema Lucia ArreagaPaulo ArreagaSandy ArthurMumtaz BandaiMarc BaurAnn BeattyHans BehmAlan BlairLee Ann Bradford RochonLoredana BrindDiane Buchanan

Dorothy BucklandCarolyne Curran-KnightThijs DhontNatalia DominguezMichael EppJanet EsseivaMary FarrisJim FirthVicky FrederiksenLisa GardnerPaula GillgannonVanessa Hall-PatchPauulet HohnBill HoopesJeremy Howe

Di IzdebskiElaine JonesSheree JonesBev KnightKristin KrimmelIan LangDenise LawsonBecky LeaFae LogieCoral LouieCaroline MacDonaldMaryLynn MachadoCindy MayMarysia McGilvrayTracy McLachlan

Carol McNaughtonBetty MortonNicola MurrayMarie NeysMichael Nicoll-YahgulanaasErin PerryDenise RichardSu RickettShannon RondeauEleanor RosenbergRobbie SavoieGregg SimpsonJane SkipseyGreta Smith

Jamie SmithAmrita SondhiBaiba ThomsonBeth TurnerShari UlrichReidun Van KervelGay Lynn VothJilly WatsonLiz WatsonCherie WestmorelandRabia WilcoxJudy Willoughby-PriceRoger Willoughby-PriceImke ZimmermanSilvaine Zimmerman

We acknowledge our many partners including: The Bowen Island Public Library,

Bowen Island Literacy Task Group, Bowen Island Community School, Community

Recreation Department, Arts BC, and the Sea to Sky Arts Alliance.

Thank you to everyone who helped make the Cove Commons a reality, through

their generosity and contributions. We are truly grateful to our individual donors.

We applaud our funders: Knick Knack Nook, Bowen Island Community Foundation,

Province of BC, Canadian Heritage Department of the Government of Canada, and

especially the BC Arts Council and the Bowen Island Municipality.

B OW E N I S L A N D A RT S CO U N C I L

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ANNUAL REPORTBOWEN ISLAND ARTS COUNCIL

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Documents

Annual Report · “It is in the act of creativity that empowerment lies, and through sharing creativity that understanding is promoted.” “Diversity, passion, self-expression,