Nature, culture and creativity merge this summer at the McMillan Arts Centre in Parksville, with a landmark multi-artist and multi-media exhibition called Ts’uliqw'.
The show, which begins July 6, marks two major milestones, according to a news release by the MAC.
It’s the 25-year anniversary of the Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region a 1,200-square-kilometre region that includes Parksville — and the 10-year anniversary of the Amazing Places Project, initially a collaboration between the MABR and Parksville Qualicum Beach Tourism Association.
The show is a tribute to the ecological and cultural significance of one of Canada’s designated UNESCO biosphere reserves, brought to life through the vision and talent of Vancouver Island artists.
“Bringing people to nature, whether they experience it in person or through this artistic lens, allows us to celebrate our place in our world,” said Jennifer Bate, event curator and executive director of the MAC and the Oceanside Community Arts Council. “Our local artists create amazing pieces that inspire and move people. The Amazing Places Project does the same thing. Both will come together at the MAC’s Ts’uliqw exhibit.”
Anchoring the exhibit will be a commissioned glass sculpture of Mount Arrowsmith, crafted by master glass artist Paul Crawford, whose global portfolio includes Olympic commemoratives and major resort installations.
“Paul is a Vancouver-Island-based artist who brings glass to life in exquisite, handcrafted, custom-etched and sandblasted glass art features,” Bate said. “Paul works closely with local Indigenous artists to create beautiful glass pieces, often blending two-culture designs into truly unique works of art. And his passion for everything outdoors is evident throughout his work.”
The word ts’xuliqw’ (pronounced "tsu-lee-kw") is a blend of Snaw-Naw-As and Qualicum First Nation languages, and references Mount Arrowsmith.
Since its establishment in 2000, the MABR has grown into a model of collaborative environmental stewardship. One of its most impactful outreach initiatives has been the Amazing Places Project, which features 10 ecologically and culturally rich locations, ranging from McMillan Provincial Park to Little Qualicum Falls and Milner Gardens. Each of the MABR’s 10 Amazing Places has received interpretive signage, promotion through high-quality photo and video coverage, and is featured in the Amazing Places Geocaching Geotour and Adventure Lab activities.
The Ts’xuliqw’ exhibition continues the art centre’s tradition of presenting transformative summer shows, while it marks a new level of collaboration, said Bate, uniting artists, scientists, Indigenous culture and community all under one roof.
“I hope visitors will love the concept of having artists interpret these Amazing Places in their medium, and I hope they’ll be inspired to go out and visit the 10 Amazing Places,” she said. “Working with the local artist community is always such a pleasure, especially in bringing together a team of such amazing artists who rarely get the opportunity to work side-by-side as a production team.”
In addition to Crawford’s glass work, the show will feature a collection of art in a range of mediums, such as steel, mosaic, watercolour, carving, basketry, weaving, pottery and oils.
Featured artists are Deb Freeman (landscape photography); Sarah Boileau (oil paintings); David Kasprick (steel sculpture); Debra Hagen (mosaic art); Mike Bellis (traditional Haida carvings); Peggy Burkosky and Margery Blom (watercolour and oil painting). There will also be handcrafted ceramics from the Arrowsmith Potters Guild and textile installations from the Qualicum Weavers and Spinners Guild.
The MAC’s Media Gallery will feature immersive footage from across the biosphere region, while live carving demonstrations and a family-friendly scavenger hunt are set to bring the experience to life for all ages.
The MAC’s goal is to make nature accessible—even to those who may never have set foot on a forest trail or stood at the edge of a waterfall.
Among the Amazing Places, Jennifer names Rathtrevor Beach as her favourite, noting that her family has spent many happy hours there.
“I have lived on the island for 43 years, hiking through the trails and along the oceanfront, and viewing the incredible vistas across the water to nearby islands, the BC mainland and Coast Mountains. I hope visitors will be able to experience these same things.”
Ts’xuliqw’ will be on display at the MAC (133 McMillan St.) until Aug. 31
