Jessie Lightburn is a true island girl, born in Nanaimo she travelled across the Georgia Strait and overseas to Australia and also lived in Vancouver and Kelowna before starting over once again in the Comox Valley.… More » »
team
Jamie Bowman
Coordinator of VidzFest, Jamie Bowman is a photographer and videomaker who most often documents musical events in the Comox Valley, between dancing with his friends. He is currently president of the Arts Council of the Comox Valley, the body sponsoring Elevate The Arts festival.… More » »
Dallas Stevenson
Dallas Stevenson, a graduate of Emily Carr University of Art and Design, is a practicing artist, independent curator and cultural worker. She has exhibited throughout BC and in addition to her practice she has a dedication to community and public arts.… 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.
I hesitated to join the ETA team, because I’ve always resisted identifying myself as creative. I survived 2011 on less than $10,000 and finally figured out that even though I don’t draw, paint, sing or play an instrument, I am artistic – in my garden, my approach to non profit work, in my kitchen. I’ve acted, done stand up comedy and been a political candidate, but it was being broke that convinced me I could claim a space in the creative commons. I am thrilled to work with this incredible group of passionate, free thinking, huge personalities. Beauty will save the world.
Anh Le - curatorial genius and ETA Venue Manager, CVAG
Anh is Curator/Programmer of the Comox Valley Art Gallery, responsible for the exhibition programming and is the coordinator of the CVAG Wearable Art Show. In addition to her visual arts activities, Anh loves to dance; practicing Latin and ballroom as well as performing creative/contact dance with Methuselah Improvisational Performance and Dance Troupe. She is really excited to be a part of Elevate the Arts – an event for everyone which celebrates arts & culture; from art shows, to dance classes, community displays and activities for kids, markets, theatre performances and circus acts, it’s going to memorable and fun!
Your thoughts on the Arts
What the Arts mean in my life/To my company?
Transformational experience.
The “Arts” means so many different things and can be experienced in so ways. Whether it’s a gorgeous piece of music, a beautiful presentation of food or a riveting trapeze act; there are 1000′s of these moments around me everyday if I pay attention. It’s got something to do with creating meaning; out of content, context, intention, emotion and awesomeness… But I know for certain that I cannot exist or thrive without it. Each encounter that I have with the arts transforms my understanding of my being and our culture. I recognize each encounter with the arts as creativity to be engaged with, a connection that facilitates a transformational experience. That’s what having arts in my life does for me.
Vig Schulman - bringer of bright bands & promoter par excellence, Bridge venue manager, too!
vig was born in smalltown Ontario and fled south to the U.S. in his early teens to immerse himself in the streetlife of New York City and San Francisco. Influenced by his experiences of Woodstock, The Fillmore East, student and feminist politics he returned to Canada to live an alternative lifestyle in rural B.C. eventually journeying back to the west coast. He has played and presented music for 30 years. He also built furniture as his primary career during that time. He’s a seasoned participant in the arts and culture community with a youthful passion for dance, new music, circus arts and a safer, sustainable and more egalitarian world community. He is currently the entertainment coordinator for the Waverley Hotel in Cumberland and the creative director for Cumberland Village Works (an entertainment production company also based in Cumberland). He is also the Artistic Director for the Big Time Out and lives in Cumberland with his partner Melissa Roeske.
Find him online: http://cumberlandvillageworks.com
Your thoughts on the Arts
What the Arts mean in my life/To my company?
vig has tour managed artists (including Ani DiFranco’s first Australian tour) and presented over 1000 shows on Vancouver Island and in New South Wales. A dozen of these were outdoor events which include the last 6 Big Time Outs in Cumberland and the The Big Day Up on Mt. Washington produced by him and his company Cumberland Village Works.
ian backs - ETA host with the most and all-round get it done guy
ian is relatively new to the island and hasn’t really found his niche here yet but when he does it will probably involve theatre, poetry, visual arts and/or food.
From an early age I can remember being content with a few simple art supplies in my little hands. Not much has changed over the years. My free time still consists of either painting, drawing or making music. Having grown up in rural Black Creek BC, I currently call Courtenay BC home.
Find him online: http://www.joshuadavidklassen.weebly.com
Your thoughts on the Arts
What the Arts mean in my life/To my company?
To me the arts is a way of bringing people together, a way to share ideas, a time to spend creating something beautiful for no other reason then just to create.
How are we involved in the arts in the Valley?
Having just moved back from Edmonton I hope to be involved in putting on visual art shows, painting murals, and producing, recording and preforming hip hop.
httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?
Community-based arts is my passion! For the past 8 years I have been actively engaged in Edmonton’s arts community as an administrator, consumer, supporter, and occasional creator. Now back in Courtenay to lay down roots and raise my little one, I am awed by yet another strong, passionate arts community.
In helping to organize the Underground Craft Fair, I felt inspired to get creative. I will be selling handmade kids books, flipbooks, and earrings fashioned out of re-purposed bike tube. As a VIDzFEST participant, I have submitted a video re-edited from grainy footage shot in Courtenay, circa 2001.
Find her online: http://www.annarambow.com
Your thoughts on the Arts
What the Arts mean in my life/To my company?
Working with inner-city based arts organizations and artists with developmental disabilities I have witnessed the enrichment of lives through the transformative power of art. In my personal experience, creating and experiencing art has played a pivotal role in shaping who I am and the way I perceive the world around me. Community arts and a grassroots approach to arts engagement is where it’s at… diminishing barriers, transforming ideas, and ultimately starting a revolution!
How are we involved in the arts in the Valley?
Elevating the Arts on May 5. After that – who knows!!!
Becky Wortman - ETA wrangler & artistic engager of our small human contingent
Becky Wortman is a fine art photographer living in the Comox Valley on Vancouver Island. After High school, Becky spent several years working and travelling in Asia finally coming home to purse art at North Island College. Her experience in the college’s Fine Art and Design program allowed Becky to delve into many mediums, but it was photography that fuelled her creative fire.
After receiving her professional photography certificate, she began experimenting with different forms of digital photography. She wanted to combine her love of photography and printmaking to create original images.
Becky discovered photo transfers. A process that transforms her photographs into a textured, unpredictable image on different surfaces. Using her waistlevel Kodak Brownie, she creates an aged look that supports her subjects.
Becky’s inspiration comes from her 5 year old daughter that fearlessly creates art all day long, her supportive husband, her wild child that never stops smiling.
Find her online: www.beckywortman.com
Your thoughts on the Arts
What the Arts mean in my life/To my company?
Art to me is an ever changing, evolving challenge. I am always making, doing, testing, talking about something new to try, to learn. I love that there is no end in sight nor wrong direction to take. Art to me is the definition of everything, nature, teaching, learning, experiencing, parenting, multitasking – the art of life.
How am I involved in the arts in the Valley?
The way I stay involved with the arts in the Valley is through children. I am often volunteering in the children’s tent, with an art activity, at many different community events. I admire children’s inhibitions towards art. I love teaching through art and play. I believe that providing children with ample opportunities to think outside of the box will build confidence in their future.
Gordon Ross - ETA photo curatorial wizard
For over 25 years Gordon has been photographing life in an attempt to catch the ephemeral truths of daily life. One of his principal genres is portraiture shot in the field and in the studio. His approach is to create a space where people feel free, safe and secure.
Gordon loves to explore the paradox that we are all different and the same with each breath we take. The clothing of culture, environment and history informs our differences, but we all share similar needs of security, sustenance and love. Whether it is a portrait from the Sahara or an urban portrait in Buenos Aires, there is a human look that is distinctly similar and familiar to all of us.
Camille Douglas - ETA administratrix, compiler of details and keeper of the spreadsheets!
Always a farm girl from Saskatchewan, Camille has called most Canadian provinces home and has lived on all three coasts. Camille is an enthusiastic community event organizer who brings administrative talents to a variety of volunteer teams. Collaborating with the incredible folks involved in hosting Elevate the Arts confirms that the Comox Valley is the last stop!
Your thoughts on the Arts
What the Arts mean in my life/To my company?
What does The Arts mean in my life? That’s a tricky question. For me, Arts begins in the natural beauty of the land and the abundance it provides. It’s our human ability for movement and the expression of emotion through voice. It’s the unifying power of music and the joy of collaboration. It’s the vibrant colors and textures that surround us. It is creation, discovery and elation! Dare I say it: it’s elevation!
How are we involved in the arts in the Valley?
I’m strictly a consumer of the arts in the valley, but I do try to light the world with my smile!
Jill Moran - ETA marketing & underground co-conspirator
Vancouver, Pender Island, Banff, Victoria, Pender Island, Comox Valley. Administrator, publicist, venue manager, briefly CBCer, program coordinator, events planner. TheatreSports, Comedy Fest, Fringe Fest, Little Theatre, Banff Centre, Film Fest. Give me a project and I’m like a dog with a bone. I’m always happier behind the scenes enabling others to strut their stuff but one of these days I’ll put my handicrafts out there for all to see.
Your thoughts on the Arts
What the Arts mean in my life/To my company?
After food and shelter, comes the arts. Colour, perspective, thought, laughter, sound. The arts enrich my life and are essential to my fulfillment. It builds community through a gathering of individuals having a shared experience. There are few venues for this anymore but the arts, whether in a theatre or in the streets, brings us together, focused, sharing. It suspends our present reality and drops us in a new unfamiliar place.
How are we involved in the arts in the Valley?
I’m new to the Valley although family has lived here for decades. I have known it from a distance as a visitor but now it is home. I have begun my time in the arts here with ETA and a brand new board member of the Comox Valley Arts Council. I hope to expand that role to include more assistance with events for the community.
kera mchugh - ETA hospitality co-manager, and keeper of things online
Born to musical, artistic, theatrical parents, Kera has never been far from the Arts in some form or another. She is currently a wordpress artist – of sorts – and has plans to do a little reuptake of music before the year is out.
Find her online: www.time4somethingelse.com
Your thoughts on the Arts
What the Arts mean in my life/To my company?
The arts have always been part of my life… sometimes a big part, sometimes a small part, but always there. It’s like blood… water… essential to my existence. Whether creating/performing or watching/supporting I derive great joy from all aspects of art. An arts administrator at heart, however, I enjoy the “work” of make the arts viable & economically sustainable.
How am I involved in the arts in the Valley?
We are relatively recent arrivals – 2 years here now – and are starting to get our own legs. Initial contact with the arts here included discovering the wealth of local musical talent, which of course led to helping out at various events. Becoming involved with ETA has allowed for a much broader knowledge of just how deep the pool is here – and now serving as a director with the Comox Valley Arts Council, I’m delighted to be more hands-on with the development, promotion & purveyance of art in all its forms.
Andrew Gower - Production Manager, ETA
Dad all the time, civil engineer by day, community activist by night, adventure sports enthusiast on the weekends, musician every Tuesday and an aspiring freelance writer! Sometimes I am not sure how I have time for it all, but serving in the Canadian Army for 11 years taught me a thing or two about time management. Currently, I am professionally employed as a partner and the local branch manager of Wedler Engineering LLP. What do I actually do there? Well, every time you interact with water in your life, whether to drink it, flush it, or watch it flow into a storm drain, you should thank a civil engineer. My community activism is channelled through Imagine Comox Valley, where we have focused on true activism with events like Car Free Sunday and TEDxComoxValley. My writing outlet is mainly through my blog at citizenclass.ca. Be warned, content is occasionally alarming and the photos are often mediocre…
Website URL
http://www.citizenclass.ca
Your thoughts on the Arts
What the Arts mean in my life/To my company?
Inspiration. Without arts, how do you express your dreams? How can you convey your fears, your hopes? Arts can bring people from vastly different backgrounds together. Arts can act as an outlet for your deepest, darkest emotions or your brightest, most inspirational passion. My personal outlet is music. I sing, I play, I write. Without arts, I feel incomplete.
How are you involved in the arts in the Valley?
Aside from playing live music, I mainly contribute through volunteering and the occasional purchase from local artists. I have volunteered at the Vancouver Island Music Festival as both stage crew and as a stage manager. I also volunteered at the inaugural FolkWest music festival in Victoria last year as a stage manager, and I somehow let the team talk me into being the production manager for Elevate the Arts.
Bobby Herron - ETA conceiver & overall king
Bobby Herron has lived on Saltspring Island, Hamilton, Vancouver and Prague. He’s performed and recorded with Vancouver bands – The B-sides, Mango Dub, Bob’s Yer Uncle and Millions of Brazilians among others. Bobby’s been involved in several fundraising album projects and has recently produced and recorded several tracks on The Home Album – for Dawn to Dawn Action on Homelessness. Among his various jobs he has photographed cars for Auto Trader magazine, catered, picked tobacco and co-managed a bar in the Czech Republic. Bobby lives with his partner and daughter in Cumberland and works with the Arts Council and talented people to help promote arts and culture in the Valley.
Helen Utsal - ETA alchemist & boundary pusher - Venue Manager, Arts Alchemy
I am a fine artist living on Vancouver Island. My paintings celebrate and honour the natural world. I want the viewer to be drawn in by the inviting back lighting and ‘walk around’ in the lively glittering landscape of my pictures. Extraordinary natural places inspire large dynamic paintings. Capturing glimpses in a unique way of serene old growth forest, undiscovered ocean bays, and turbulent ocean waves I make my pictures…impressionist footprints through the splendour.
Your thoughts on the Arts
What the Arts mean in my life/To my company?
Art is my life. Art is a means for one to delve into their own unique take on the world. There is no right or wrong in the Arts. So few areas of life exist where there are no rules, no tried and true steps to follow, it is a free place where anything goes, and you are the master of your own vision. Capturing what you envision is an ongoing challenge and a fulfilling personal journey.
Have courage. Go where no one has gone before, and bring it to the world
How are we involved in the arts in the Valley?
I exhibit my paintings at the local galleries, and have enjoyed participating in Local Colours, and MusicFest. I teach an art elective at Robb Rd School and art classes for adults. Currently, as a partner in Art Alchemy Studio/Gallery I am excited to be playing a role in bringing artistic events to the valley: workshops, art classes, exhibits and shows.
Contact Helen:
Amie & Jeff Webster - ETA ivory-tickling wranglers and Piano Corner venue managers
We are a fun-loving, Valley-living couple who enjoy Americanos and Vanilla Lattes, carefree Sundays, friends and family and living in a community that is rich in talent and vision.
We were so refreshed and inspired after a 3-week vacation to Costa Rica in the spring of 2010 that we took on the challenge of opening our own business that fall. Our lives haven’t been quite the same since with hours of emails, phone calls, web design, marketing and planning, but we are so thankful to be able to take part in introducing students of all ages to the joy of music.
YOUR THOUGHTS ON THE ARTS:
We are very privileged to be able to share our love of the arts with students of all ages in the Comox Valley. Motif Music Studios is nestled in “Tin Town” and we are blessed to spend our days working alongside musicians and teachers that we admire.
It is an honor to be introducing students of all ages to the enjoyment of music and although we may be biased, we are pretty sure that the nicest families and students in the Comox Valley are the ones that we get to see each week!
HOW ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE ARTS?
We are involved in the arts in the Valley each day as we encourage students to learn music, listen to music they love and share their music with others. We are also very excited about the Elevate the Arts event and can’t wait to be a part of this special way to showcase the arts in our community.
motifmusicstudios@gmail.com
250.792.3065
www.motifmusicstudios.com
Meg Cursons (and Cadence) - ETA marketing mistress & coordinator extraordinaire
Meaghan wants to build connected, healthy and progressive community and create a happier, more just and more hopeful world.
That’s all. Easy. However, she is not entirely sure how to achieve this.
She’s tried a few things so far: campaigning to end plastic bag and water bottle use, running for MLA, fundraising for local shelters, creating/marketing/coordinating music festivals, promoting local green and cultural tourism, serving as an elected school trustee, organizing conferences, creating youth employment projects, singing in a band, managing a Museum, facilitating participatory art projects, teaching board development, fire breathing, serving on local boards, falling in love, and having a baby. She’s not sure if any of these things are working yet so she’s going to keep trying.
Your thoughts on the Arts
What the Arts mean in my life/To my company?
Art and Culture are a huge part of my life. I see organizing and promoting as creative acts – they are my creative work. Art and culture help to make life beautiful and help us to transform our understanding of the craziness all around us. Even the ugliest, weirdest, hardest stuff has art in it. Art makes life bearable. Art makes life incredible. It provides such a amazing tool for making sense of our humanity – and our lack of humanity.
Creating and organizing art and culture events and projects are my passion. I love to do this with other people and see it as an incredible way to build community and strengthen our neighbourhoods, our relationships and our families.
To make music/art/create with another person and with your community creates vibrations that help to heal the world and make our souls soar. I really believe that.
How are we involved in the arts in the Valley?
This is a very VERY long list. Just ask me sometime.