Anita Kalnay is a Natural Perfume Artist. She has been a visual artist all her life and a Registered Aromatherapist for 20 years. Natural Perfumes combine her skills and talents within the artistry of fragrance.… More » »
Anita Kalnay
bios
Madeleine Wood
I live and work on Ships Point in Fanny Bay with my partner and cat. I studied at Emily Carr Institute and Concordia University completing my MFA in 1996, and have focussed on my painting practice ever since.… More » »
Brenda Johima
With expertise in graphic design, social media and online marketing, Brenda Johima is is owner of JOHIMA Social Media + Marketing, and is excited to take part in Elevate the Arts.… More » »
Corwin Fox
Corwin Fox is a Canadian songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist who has been hailed as “a shining light in Canadian roots music” by Doug Cox (artistic director, Vancouver Island Music Festival).… More » »
North Island College / Emily Carr Fine Arts
With innovative programs, modern studios, and commercial-quality equipment, NIC’s Fine Arts programs help creative students develop skills and discover their unique artistic style. Students can complete a two-year diploma or a four-year Bachelor of Fine Arts degree, offered in collaboration with the prestigious Emily Carr University of Art+Design, at NIC’s Comox Valley campus.… More » »
Charlotte Hood-Tanner
I have been creating art all of my life. After high school, I enrolled and completed the Fine Arts Foundation program at Capilano College. I then switched my focus to the Faculty of Biology but never lost my passion for the visual arts.… More » »
Super String Jam
Bring your strings and get jammin!
Sid Williams Plaza at Noon - and other Elevate performers will lead all comers with their strings in a simple, 3-chord jam.… More » »
TheatreWorks
TheatreWorks has been entertaining and educating students and audiences with their unique and original material for 20 years. TheatreWorks invites you to a sneak peek of the teen Story Theatre presentation of Red Feather, Alligator Jump.… More » »
Richard Thompson
Richard Thompson has been a musical fixture in the Comox Valley for many years both as a player in numerous local bands and as the owner of Sound Advice Music Shop.… More » »
Roger Helfrick (Harps & Tattoos)
I am a professional vocalist and harpist living in Courtenay since the Fall of 2007. Starting my professional career in 1994, I have performed concerts across Canada, as well as in the U.S.… More » »
Mark Thoem
not to much to tell… i have been located in the valley since 1982…. had a glorious job and career with the canadain coast guard…. now fully retired… been involed with wood carving for most of my life….… More » »
Robert Moon
Robert pours 40 years of loving the Arts into his silver jewelry each piece is unique. One of the most experienced artists in the valley he claims to be over 125 years old.… More » »
Karen Day
Karen Day (aka: The Pink Witch) has been disturbing people with her art all her life. dark, gothic, weird. voodoo or day of the dead. whatever you want to call it, my art comes from inside me.… More » »
Arcana Dea Dance Company
Arcana Dea Dance Company (formerly known as Blue Lotus) is a dance troupe based in the Comox Valley that perform women’s traditional dances from the East, fusion Belly Dance and dances from the Romany ‘gypsy’ trail.… More » »
Anne Marie Lisch
Tina of Letz Sing has invited me to come and do some Nia while the choir sings. The intention here is to co-create a moving, singing mosaic in the Sid Williams Plaza.… More » »
Zac Whyte
When I’m not spending time with my family, I run a creative multimedia production and education company. Becoming an entrepreneur has given me the freedom to design a dynamic lifestyle that balances family and friends, academics, my professional career as a global studies and media educator, speaker, digital artist, business consultant and photographer.… More » »
Comox Valley Girls Group
We are local girls and young women who meet to support each other to manage the daily pressures and challenges we face. We get fired up over media’s representation of girls, and the pressure to fit within narrow definitions of being female.… More » »
Sew Sisters
Sew Sisters Artist Guild Society is a haven for the artist. With over 100 artists that are local to the Comox Valley Sew Sisters Artist Guild Society is a beacon for those who seek beauty, diversity in thought and design and a loving conscious community.
Find them online: http://sewsistersartistguild.org
Your thoughts on the Arts What the Arts mean in my life/To my company?… More » »
Tin Town
We are known as the band “Tin Town.” We have been entertaining for over 2 years, animating several events including local pubs, open mic nights and private parties in the Comox Valley.… More » »
Mike LeBlanc
Mike is the senior tattooist/piercer at Ink Nation on 5th St (near the Bridge) in Courtenay. He has 20 years experience in all custom work including color and black & grey portraits, Neo-traditional and traditional, Japanese, North American Native, Maori tribal and many more.… More » »
Heather Vardy
I was introduced to jagua paint in Brighton, England, where I trained with some of England’s finest henna/jagua artists. I have recently graduated from Vancouver Island University with a Bachelors of Arts degree in Visual Arts and Psychology.… More » »
Ashley Hain
Ashley has been in the healing arts field for over 10 years, delving into a vast array of modalities. Her background in bodywork (Registered Massage Therapist, Reflexology, and Reiki), coupled with her studies at the Gestalt Institute of Toronto, created a solid spring board from which stemmed her inspiration for helping people create positive change in their lives.… More » »
Dark Side Chocolates
At Dark Side Chocolates we are passionate about chocolate! We combine high quality, organic, and always fair trade chocolate with fresh, organic ingredients. Guided by The Force, and our taste buds, we handcraft, with love, a range of unique flavours to captivate your senses.… More » »
Roberta Meilleur
Having a mechanic father who loved structural patterns and a mother who created beauty from anything, being a glass artist for several years, plus working for six years at Vancouver’s Imagination Market (an organization that collected manufacturer’s scrap for creative re-use), resulted in Roberta Meilleur’s current creative expression – RustWorks: Revisioned Metal and Glass Crystal Designs.… More » »
Sarah Kerr
Sarah Kerr holds a Bachelor’s degree in Photography from Emily Carr Institute. She is an active member of the arts and environmental communities and a long-time resident of the Comox Valley.… More » »
Steven Foord
Hello! My Name is Steven and I am born and raised on Vancouver Island. I am 26 years of age and throughout my life working with my hands has always been a natural undertaking and passion that continues to grow as my life’s journey unravels.… More » »
Simon Marks
Simon discovered songwriting and performing after relocating from Denman Island, BC to Fremantle, Western Australia, in 2008. From there Simon quickly found himself performing his songs both locally, regionally, interstate and overseas.… More » »
Cleo Agar
Cleo Agar is a young artist from Cumberland who is sharing her graphic novel that she designed and published herself. She is greatly inspired by the artist Camilla D’Errico and the Manga art style in general.… More » »
Anne Clarkson
Since I was a child I have loved to make things, to take the ordinary and turn it into something extraordinary.I look at things in a different way, from a different perspective.… More » »
Tomomi Ozaki
Tomomi started learning Flamenco dance in 1993 in Japan (Japan holds the world’s second largest Flamenco population after Spain), where she performed at many Flamenco shows as a company member.… More » »
Benjamin Dunstan
Born in The Comox Valley, 1976 I began working in mural design in Vancouver, specifically for interior decorating projects. I wanted to develop my artistic discipline in Germany where I lived and worked for many years.… More » »
Apron Strings
“Apron Strings ” is a collaboration between Kathy Klassen and Meredith Murray. We have conspired to dive into our sewing rooms and create something useful and pretty out of a stash of fabric that is out of control.… More » »
Kelly Gough
3D artist specialising in creating art that subverts the usual function of materials. Look for weavings of copper, lamp shades and wall sconces built of tie wraps and picture hangers.… More » »
Under the direction of conductor, Tina Filippino, the Letz Sing Community Choir brings together singers (and those who think they can’t sing) to share in the uplifting experience of singing in harmony. Whether a first time participant or a seasoned singer, every voice can find a place in this unique, inclusive, and friendly choir community. Letz Sing community choir provides an opportunity for anyone who wants to share the experience of group singing, learn songs from other cultures and become part of a growing, vibrant vocal community in the Comox Valley. Learn more www.letsing.com
Come and Elevate the Arts by being a part of a community sing featuring the Letz Sing Community Choir at 2:00 pm in the Sid Plaza.
I graduated from Emily Carr College, majoring in the 3D Department. This was in 1987. I liked creating stuff but I don’t care for art galleries. At the time, I was creating gallery conceptual art…poor marriage. I left Vancouver after five years and moved to the Gulf Islands. My move from city boy to country man, changed my art as well. I started carving wood and became a custom designer of wood creations. My work being showcased in boutique stores and as custom commissions.
Megan Rutledge
Megan Rutledge is an aspiring 16 year old musician singing and playing a mix of indie folk, celtic and contemporary. Currently, she is a member of the Cantiamo Chamber Ensemble along with being involved in the Mark Isfeld school choirs.… More » »
Hatchet and BonBon
Reminisce the bygone days as Hatchet and Bonbon entertain you with old-jazz stylings from the wash-tub bass, baritone ukulele and voice. Let the rhythm romance you and the tap dance tickle you as our duo delightfully romp through a low-tech, new school old-time vaudeville show of songs; spectacle and shadow puppets!… More » »
Buleria
Acoustic duo Inspired by the beautiful Gypsy music of Andalucia Spain, Buleria is a duo is comprised of Mexican-born Flamenco guitarist, Oscar ‘El Cuervo’ Robles, and Vancouver Island grown, Britt de la Luna on vocals.… More » »
7 Story Circus
7 Story Circus is a local circus company based in the Comox Valley. We love circus because it’s fun, creative, athletic and builds confidence & community.… More » »
Lisa Hamilton
I am a certified Horticultural Therapist representing a local Horticultural Therapy not-for-profit, Gardens without Borders, located at Innisfree Farm.
Horticultural Therapy is a profession and a practice which uses gardening, farming, plants and nature to help promote wellness in peoples lives.… More » »
Danielle Bilodeau
Star light, Star bright, Danielle has been making Shining Stars all right!
Creating a small galaxy of shining stars is no easy task. I tend to jump from one creative project to another… but all within my self defining theme of “fairy tale impressionism” .… More » »
The Lotus Eaters
The Lotus Eaters are Jim Vanderhorst and Colby O’Neill, filmmakers from the Comox Valley area. After years working on their own projects, independent filmmaker Jim and Broken Logic’s emcee Colby have joined together to create a collaborative force capable of whatever they set their minds too.… More » »
Rick Reeve
Rick retired from an academic/administrative career at UVic in 2002 and moved to Courtenay two years later with his wife Alisen. Retirement has provided him now with more time to devote to hobbies, including digital photography.… More » »
Jennifer Spruit
Jennifer is an up and coming writer living in the valley with her husband and 2 girls. She is the author of Teeny Tiger and the Great Word Ocean, her first childrens’ book.… More » »
Charmian Dunaway
Charmian has been painting, knitting, weaving etc since she was a little girl, and has taken courses in painting and weaving, the rest was picked up over time.… More » »
Sue Pyper is an award-winning singer/songwriter originally from London, UK. Her personal travels, both geographical and emotional, have inspired gentle, insightful, and heartfelt songs that look at life from all angles and visit themes of both hope and hardship. Women of Substance Radio says “Sue Pyper’s music is rooted in timeless acoustic folk, and on par with current folk artists like Mary Chapin Carpenter, Patty Griffin and Dar Williams.” Her first album “Before You Learn To Fly” received nominations in five categories in the Mpower Independent Music Awards and the title track won “Best Song” in 2003. Sue’s second CD, “Tail Lights In The Rain” also garnered rave reviews as well as new fans. Sue is a busy live performer. She charms her audiences with her beautiful vocals, eloquent songwriting, and her unpredictable British “inside voice” that occasionally finds its way over the microphone. Her music has also been used on various TV shows, TV Commercials and movies.
Find her online: http://www.suepyper.com
Your thoughts on the Arts
What the Arts mean in my life/To my company?
I think music and art in an integral part of our society. Without beautiful art and beautiful music The practicalities of life become unbearable.
Ellisa Hartman is a talented young singer/songwriter ready to leap into a high-profile role in the Canadian Independent music scene. Her artistic presence, unique voicing and quirky instrumental timing bring an honest and charismatic sound to the folk genre. At 24, she has written a portfolio of significant songs that would be the envy of many established musicians. Drawing on the spirits of Lightfoot, Joni Mitchell and Sarah McLaughlin, her music moves all who hear it.
In the past year, Ellisa has shared the stage with Allison Crowe, David Gogo, Greg Sczebel, Vince Vaccaro, Acres of Lions, Steph Macpherson, Christopher Arruda, Cindy Davis, and many others. She is currently working on a new EP to be released in the new year, and is eagerly looking forward to touring Western Canada in the spring.
Find her online: www.ellisahartman.com
Born in Cumberland BC on Vancouver Island, I am an Island-girl born and bred. I studied art at North Island College in the Comox Valley and then transferred to the Emily Carr University completing my degree in 2007. I attend the Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts at Pearson College every year to take hands-on courses from artists who come from all over North America. I take my art education seriously and see it as an on-going process. Refinement, evolution and investigation. I am most interested in the decorative art and craft and like to tell a story with each of my pieces. Each piece is a one-of-a-kind event – from the large jar construction to the smallest button. I want to see the viewer interested in the piece in the round and engaged with the story I am telling.
I hope you enjoy my jewelry made out of guitar pick including necklaces, key chains, anklets and earrings. Art has always been important to me. From a very young age I have loved doing arts and crafts. Combining my love of music and of art to make something I love doing is very special to me. These are just a couple of my products picture. Come visit the Underground for more!
We are a collective of free improvisers incorporating various influences from Sufic musical traditions, African and Middle Eastern rhythms, free jazz, noise and other experimental and traditional trance music. Ranging from a-rhythmic textures and sparse sound scapes to driving rhythms and sheets of melody we aim to create spontaneous music that is suspended between the ethereal and the visceral, breaching on the ecstatic.
Destanne Lundquist - likembe, electronics, radio, flute
Jesse Gentes – drumset, percussion, tar
Patrick Desjardins – shakuhachi flute, percussion