Art

Indigenous artist John Marston in his Chemainus studio.The painting behind him is by his friend, Ladysmith artist Dennis Brown. In front of him are architectural plans for new artist studios in Ladysmith that he is helping to design. Don Denton photo.

Rising from the storm

Stz’uminus artist John Marston

  • Sep 28, 2022
Indigenous artist John Marston in his Chemainus studio.The painting behind him is by his friend, Ladysmith artist Dennis Brown. In front of him are architectural plans for new artist studios in Ladysmith that he is helping to design. Don Denton photo.
The Witness Blanket residential schools art exhibit is now available on a newly launched interactive website. (witnessblanket.ca)

Coast Salish artist’s Witness Blanket available on newly launched website

Created by Carey Newman, the art installation had previously only been viewable in person

The Witness Blanket residential schools art exhibit is now available on a newly launched interactive website. (witnessblanket.ca)
Cim MacDonald’s Rotary Club mural on the Rotary bunker. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Unveiling tour showcases newest murals and sculptures since 2020

Everyone invited for walking tour to see and hear about latest additions

Cim MacDonald’s Rotary Club mural on the Rotary bunker. (Photo by Don Bodger)
People wait to enter the Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal, Saturday, June 6, 2020. In the early morning hours of Sept. 4, 1972, three men rappelled from a skylight down a nylon rope into the second floor of the museum. Fifty years after what has been described as the biggest art heist in Canadian history, the thieves’ identity remains a mystery. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes

50 years after major Montreal art theft, trail has gone cold and nobody’s talking

Thieves rappelled into the museum from a skylight, overpowered the guards and stole millions in art

People wait to enter the Museum of Fine Arts in Montreal, Saturday, June 6, 2020. In the early morning hours of Sept. 4, 1972, three men rappelled from a skylight down a nylon rope into the second floor of the museum. Fifty years after what has been described as the biggest art heist in Canadian history, the thieves’ identity remains a mystery. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes
Ola Volo handout

Going public

Ola Volo and her spectacular murals

  • Sep 1, 2022
Ola Volo handout
Estrellita Karsh wife of legenary photographer Yousuf Karsh stands in front of the iconic 1941 photograph of Winston Churchill taken by her husband in the Speaker of the House of Commons’ chambers on Tuesday July 14, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand

Two art heists, 50 years apart: expert says Canada is a ‘soft target’

Officials didn’t discover the latest stolen piece was gone for more than 8 months after it was taken

Estrellita Karsh wife of legenary photographer Yousuf Karsh stands in front of the iconic 1941 photograph of Winston Churchill taken by her husband in the Speaker of the House of Commons’ chambers on Tuesday July 14, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand
The Union Club of British Columbia copy of Yousuf Karsh’s famous 1941 photograph of Winston Churchill is not at risk of theft following, says the manager after the recent discovery the original on display at the Chateau Laurier hotel in Ottawa had been replaced by a fake. (Courtesy of the Union Club of British Columbia)

Victoria club confident copy of scowling Churchill portrait secure

Union Club of British Columbia owns a copy of the original work discovered stolen from Ottawa hotel

The Union Club of British Columbia copy of Yousuf Karsh’s famous 1941 photograph of Winston Churchill is not at risk of theft following, says the manager after the recent discovery the original on display at the Chateau Laurier hotel in Ottawa had been replaced by a fake. (Courtesy of the Union Club of British Columbia)
Yousuf Karsh’s iconic 1941 photograph of Winston Churchill as displayed in the Speaker of the House of Commons’ chambers on Tuesday July 14, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand

Famous Yousuf Karsh portrait of Sir Winston Churchill stolen from Château Laurier

Legendary original swapped out for a copy in a caper worthy of a Hollywood movie

Yousuf Karsh’s iconic 1941 photograph of Winston Churchill as displayed in the Speaker of the House of Commons’ chambers on Tuesday July 14, 2009. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Fred Chartrand
Mixed media artist Nancy Dolan shows her work at the 17th annual Bowker Creek Brush-Up Art Show and Sale in Oak Bay on Aug. 14. (Photo by Joanie McCorry)

Oak Bay artist brush-up enjoys 17th year without rain

Thousands attend for event’s best year yet, artist society president says

Mixed media artist Nancy Dolan shows her work at the 17th annual Bowker Creek Brush-Up Art Show and Sale in Oak Bay on Aug. 14. (Photo by Joanie McCorry)
Alejandro. Díaz Liceága . Photography by Lia Crowe

Blow the whistle!

Maynard Johnny Jr.’s Pacific FC jersey design is an instant success

  • Aug 19, 2022
Alejandro. Díaz Liceága . Photography by Lia Crowe
Master carver Tom LaFortune (left) and Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre inmate Brandon Castle work on the eagle atop the totem pole. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Vancouver Island inmates build community through totem pole project

Led by Indigenous master carvers, the project aims to raise the pole in October

Master carver Tom LaFortune (left) and Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre inmate Brandon Castle work on the eagle atop the totem pole. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
July 13, 2022 - Indigenous artist Maynard Johnny Jr. poses with one of his prints in his Duncan studio. Don Denton photo.

Spirit of reconciliation

The art of Maynard Johnny Jr.

  • Aug 17, 2022
July 13, 2022 - Indigenous artist Maynard Johnny Jr. poses with one of his prints in his Duncan studio. Don Denton photo.
Volunteers and neighbours gather around the road mural in progress near the entrance of Falaise Park in Saanich. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

Taking it to the streets: Saanich gets road mural

Pilot project will measure traffic speed data

Volunteers and neighbours gather around the road mural in progress near the entrance of Falaise Park in Saanich. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
The Fibrations Festival, held last year in Fairfield’s Porter Park, returns Aug. 21 to a new location at Stevenson Park in Fernwood. Organizers expect this 11th edition to be bigger than ever. (Courtesy of Ryan Davis)

Fibrations festival relocates to Victoria’s Fernwood neighbourhood

Fibre artists, crafters and more gather in Stevenson Park for 11th festival Aug. 21

The Fibrations Festival, held last year in Fairfield’s Porter Park, returns Aug. 21 to a new location at Stevenson Park in Fernwood. Organizers expect this 11th edition to be bigger than ever. (Courtesy of Ryan Davis)
Visitors admire artists’ work at last year’s Bowker Creek Brush Up. This summer’s 17th annual outdoor show and sale happens Aug. 14 and feature artists of varying ages. (Black Press Media file photo)

Bowker Creek welcomes young talent for 17th Brush Up in Oak Bay

Oak Bay show and sale Aug. 14 features all-ages artists, youth musicians

Visitors admire artists’ work at last year’s Bowker Creek Brush Up. This summer’s 17th annual outdoor show and sale happens Aug. 14 and feature artists of varying ages. (Black Press Media file photo)
“Freighter at a Wharf, Crofton B.C.” (1980), a 24-by-36-inch oil on canvas by E.J. Hughes, at Madrona Gallery.

At the Galleries: Enjoy Canada’s wilderness through the eyes of painters, carvers, jewellers

Victoria galleries host a refreshing display of wilderness works this summer with…

  • Aug 1, 2022
“Freighter at a Wharf, Crofton B.C.” (1980), a 24-by-36-inch oil on canvas by E.J. Hughes, at Madrona Gallery.
Visitors to Colwood’s Wickheim Park have a new piece of public art to enjoy thanks to local artist Linda Simrose. (Courtesy City of Colwood)

Tucked-away Colwood park gets new piece of public art

New reproduced painting by Linda Simrose graces the south side of Lagoon Market

Visitors to Colwood’s Wickheim Park have a new piece of public art to enjoy thanks to local artist Linda Simrose. (Courtesy City of Colwood)
The Blue Ridge theatre in Quadra Village now has a bright and colourful new mural thanks to artist Tasha Diamant. (Courtesy of Tasha Diamant)

Victoria’s Blue Bridge Theatre spruced up with new mural

Artist Tasha Diamant wanted to show the theatre in turbulent times

The Blue Ridge theatre in Quadra Village now has a bright and colourful new mural thanks to artist Tasha Diamant. (Courtesy of Tasha Diamant)
The Victoria Art Council’s main gallery. The council has been named a recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Award. (Courtesy Victoria Arts Council/Facebook)

Victoria Arts Council receives Lieutenant Governor’s award

The group received the award in recognition of their work on inclusion in the community

The Victoria Art Council’s main gallery. The council has been named a recipient of the Lieutenant Governor’s Arts and Music Award. (Courtesy Victoria Arts Council/Facebook)
Brenda Lennax (right), a volunteer with BC Airlift Emergency Response Operations, delivered cards and books to students at Stein Valley Nlakapamux School in Lytton, B.C.

Students across B.C. send Lytton students artwork, books and cards

The gifts were part of a special project by Qualicum Beach artist, Diane Moran

Brenda Lennax (right), a volunteer with BC Airlift Emergency Response Operations, delivered cards and books to students at Stein Valley Nlakapamux School in Lytton, B.C.