A new event this weekend offers an evening to celebrate artists in the Alberni Valley.
Artists of all mediums will be gathering at the Kinsmen Community Centre on Saturday, May 11 for an exhibit and social event called Canvas Connect. Visitors will be able to check out or purchase original art pieces by 17 different artists and purchase a beverage from Twin City Brewing while listening to live music.
There will also be an artists’ corner with a live (clothed) model for anyone who wants to try their hand at drawing, painting or sketching with a live model.
Artist and organizer Genevieve Huneault says the event is all about empowering those who love to create.
“I’ve always wanted to do some sort of exhibit and show, but I’ve been nervous about showing my art,” explained Huneault. “I met with some other artists who also shared the same feeling, and now it’s become a full-blown event.”
She envisions a comfortable social event, where people can stop by to chat with the artists, enjoy some music presented by DJ Jennee Pleeze and have some beers and kombucha offered by a Twin City Brewing pop-up. There will be seating areas for people to sit down and socialize.
“I really wanted to create a sense of community,” said Huneault.
Canvas Connect will feature a wide range of artists who work in all mediums, from clay work to painting and photography. Some of the artists on display are professionals, while others have only recently picked up a paint brush. The majority are sharing their art for the first time.
Hannah Potter, an oil painter, says she is still “very new” to the Port Alberni arts community, but Huneault made her feel comfortable about having her art on display.
“I really only started taking painting really seriously this year,” she said. “I think this event is a great way for an artist to get into selling their art. It’s a good opportunity for exposure for myself and build my confidence as an artist. You see this kind of thing a lot in bigger cities, but you don’t see it in Port Alberni very often.”
Guy Langlois, a watercolour artist who specializes in painting detailed landscapes, has had his work on display at a few different venues in town. But he was drawn to Canvas Connect by the social aspect of the event.
“Port Alberni is a really supportive community for artists in a lot of ways. But after years of COVID-19, artists can be kind of reclusive,” he added with a laugh. “Artists need every kind of exposure they can get, and it’s intimidating getting out there. This is a really good opportunity to network with other artists and meet with customers face-on.”
The event is free, both for artists and visitors, and is largely being funded by sponsors. It was important to Huneault to keep the event accessible to everyone.
“You don’t usually see events like this for free,” said Huneault “People usually have to pay to go into art galleries. It’s all about taking down barriers—it was more important for me to celebrate art.”
The event runs from 4-8 p.m. at the Kinsmen Community Centre (at the Fall Fair Grounds) and is open to all ages, although some of the artwork might have “mature content” or nudity.
Huneault says the event could become an annual one, if there is enough interest.
“I originally thought it was going to be a one-off, but there seems to be a bit of buzz,” she laughed. “It really shows the liveliness of artists in our town, and how many creatives there are.”