Alberni Arts

06/04/2026

Final 24 hrs to apply! 🎨
There is only one day left to apply for the ColourFest art activity - apply with your fun and unique idea to be selected as the winning artist.
Deadline to apply is tomorrow (Friday) by midnight. To learn more and see all the art opportunities for the summer, check our website: alberniarts.com/events/summer-opportunities-for-artists

06/03/2026

Celebrating pride with and ! We’re so grateful to be working alongside the Chamber at our new office in the Visitor Centre, and to have Nik Burton, AKA Miss Frida (aka: Frida Kahl Ho) working with us as well! 🏳️‍🌈
It was two years ago that the Arts Council hosted our own pride art-making workshops, and had someone post hate speech posters on our door and bulletin board.
Whoever did that clearly didn’t realize that by posting hate, you only bring the pride community closer together. This goes out to anyone who is against what this flag means. Q***r people exist, always have, always will!

06/02/2026

The Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley is thrilled to continue our Featured Artist Series, shining a spotlight on one of our remarkable local artists every two weeks. These profiles appear across our social media, website, and in the newspaper, celebrating the creativity thriving in our community.

This installment highlights Muriel A. Bush, an acrylic and oil painter whose work explores the space between realism and the ethereal. With more than fifty-five years immersed in the art world, Muriel brings a depth of experience and sensitivity to her practice that continues to evolve.

Muriel discovered her passion for art around the age of six. Initially self-taught, she later sought to deepen her knowledge through formal education, enrolling in fine art courses at the University of British Columbia, where she achieved first-class standing.

Beginning with strong foundations in drawing and representation, Muriel's work gradually evolved toward a semi-abstract style. Guided by intuition, experimentation, and a deep love of the creative process, she has developed an approach that is uniquely her own.

Working in both acrylic and oil, Muriel allows each piece to evolve naturally, balancing structure with fluidity. Her paintings carry a sense of motion and emotional resonance, inviting viewers into a space that feels both grounded and dreamlike.
When asked what advice she would give to emerging artists, Muriel Shared:

"Pick up that paintbrush, some paper, set it on the floor, and get your arms moving. Don't be afraid, it's only paint. Creating with natural chaos feels so good, and it doesn't have rules. If something doesn't please you, you can always paint over it."

Muriel is now based on Vancouver Island, where she continues to create expressive, semi-abstract works inspired by the West Coast. Her pieces can be found at Bayside Gallery in Parksville, and her work is also available in smaller formats, including art cards.

To read the full article, go to https://alberniarts.com/featured-artists/muriel-a-bush/

06/01/2026

What's Up in the Alberni Valley!

In This Week’s What’s Up (June 1–7)

We’ve got some exciting events happening this week!

Don’t miss your last opportunity to check out the Seize the Clay Display at the Alberni Valley Museum before it wraps up.

Be sure to explore this week’s events, support local, and cure your FOMO!

See you out there! 🎉

05/29/2026

Artists: GET PAID TO BE CREATIVE! 🎨
We're always so happy to be able to provide paid arts opportuntiites in the Alberni Valley, and right now we have two!
There is only one week left to apply for the ColourFest art activity - apply with your fun and unique idea to be selected as the winning artist.
Deadline to apply is next Friday. To learn more and see all the art opportunities for the summer, check our website: alberniarts.com/events/summer-opportunities-for-artists

05/25/2026

We need your feedback! 👋
We're currently in a stage of reinvention, but we can't do it without our community helping guide the way! We've done a lot of work in the past year, working with specialists, holding roundtables and surveys, all to get to where we are today.
We've developed a 2026-2029 "Strategic Plan", essentially a roadmap for the next three years, as well as a rebrand that reintroduces us as the modern, dynamic arts council we are.

We're introducing both via feedback forms where you can see the plan and rebrand, and offer your suggestions as to where we should go next.
▪ Find the Strategic Plan Feedback form at alberniarts.com/spfeedback2026
▪ Find the Rebrand Feedback form at alberniarts.com/rebrand

A HUGE thank you to everyone who have helped us along the way - our staff, board, volunteers, and members!

05/22/2026

SUMMER ART OPPORTUNITIES 🌻
Whether you want to lead a community art activity or display and sell your work, there's something for you this summer! Apply online at Alberniarts.com

Here's what's open right now:
⚓ Port Day Call for Artists – Lead a creative, inclusive art activity at Port Day on June 13th, $100 honorarium + $50 for materials. Open to all disciplines: murals, textiles, sculpture, storytelling & more. Deadline: June 5th
✨ ColourFest Call for Artists – Lead a creative, hands-on art activity at ColourFest on July 18th, $250 honorarium + $150 for materials. Same great concept as Port Day! Bring people together to make something meaningful. Deadline: June 5th
🖼️ Arrowsmith Animal Hospital Community Exhibit – Show your work at Arrowsmith Animal Hospital! Pieces sell directly off the walls. Opening Reception June 18th from 5pm - 7pm. Deadline to apply: June 13th.
⬛ "Square Show" – Got a 10"x10" piece? Display & sell at the Visitor Centre for 13 weeks this summer. No consignment fee, art is sold directly off the wall! Deadline to apply: July 3rd.
🌧️ "Retro Raincoast" – Display your work at Turn of the Tides thrift store in August. No size limit, no consignment fee. Theme: the beauty, history & spirit of the west coast. Deadline to apply: July 27th

NOTE: You must be a member to exhibit artwork in our community gallery program. We acknowledge the financial support of the Province of British Columbia, City of Port Alberni and the Alberni Valley Community Foundation.

A special thank you to our event hosts: & Arrowsmith Rotary Port Alberni
As well as the exhibit hosting site: Arrowsmith Animal Hospital , & Turn of the Tides

Don't miss these chances to share your creativity with the community! 🌞