2022 EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

POTA TURNS THREE!

Patrons of the Arts launched in February 2019. As we celebrate our third anniversary, we thank our generous members and dedicated board members for their commitment and hands-on work year round.

THE EDGE ISLAND INSPIRED ART TURNS ONE!

We began with the works of 23 artists filling our shelves at THE EDGE in February 2021. We now feature 43 artists. It is delightful to work with every one of them. They fit well with our saying, “We love to do fun things with fun people”! In addition to the shop in the lobby of the Anchor Inn, we also have our gallery in the hotel’s restaurant. So far we have displayed paintings and photographs by Mona Craig, Tasse Geldart, Roger Gosselin, Shelley Humble, Eiko Jones, Jill Paris Rody, Alyssa Penner, and Kim Wolton. Sales over the past year have put over $13,000 into the hands of our artists. We have also raised $4,000 for POTA to distribute to the community, providing opportunities and celebrating our visual and performing artists.

NORTH ISLAND COLLEGE BURSARY

Making a difference to an aspiring artist, POTA has provided a $1,000 bursary to another Fine Arts student. Martha warmed our hearts with “I am so thankful and grateful for receiving this award. This is my chance for art therapy… As a mother of four… I can show my children… to never give up on your dreams.”

40th ANNUAL MEMBERS’ SHOW

The Campbell River Arts Council and the Art Gallery are thrilled to have presented local and north island artists’ works for FOUR DECADES of Members’ Shows! This year’s exhibit began amid snowstorms of January and runs through February 26. POTA is providing three cash prizes to artists who receive People’s Choice Awards. Be sure to visit the Campbell River Art Gallery and cast your vote!

RIVERCITY PLAYERS KAYAK

The theatre world has been challenged over the past few years with the global pandemic. Rivercity Players is showcasing performances once again and inviting audiences to attend. This is wonderful news and provides us with the opportunity to celebrate and support them. POTA is delighted to provide Rivercity Players with $1,000 to bring the play Kayak onto the Rivercity stage in February and March.

HIGHWAY 19 CONCERTS

Lucas Schuller has kept us apprised of what’s happening with his concert productions – and they’re ready to return to the fabulous Rivercity stage. In January 2019, POTA committed $1,000 to assist in presenting Vancouver’s music intima vocal ensemble in concert. Postponed due to the pandemic, the concert is now going ahead on March 4.

POTA’S WEARABLE ART FASHION SHOW

We are determined to bring this back! This magical extravaganza of exquisite wearable art is scheduled for Saturday, October 15, 2022. POTA’s first Wearable Art Fashion Show was an absolute hit and we’ve been impatiently waiting to do it again. Have a look at the Campbell River Mirror’s coverage of it here and you’ll see what we mean!

2021 EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

THE EDGE ISLAND INSPIRED ART

As you enter the Anchor Inn lobby you are introduced to THE EDGE. Overlooking the ocean, it’s a captivating boutique that offers an exquisite selection of island inspired art. THE EDGE began when former POTA Director Charlotte Deptford initiated a partnership for POTA with Bev Herperger, General Manager of the Anchor Inn. Charlotte had her Ultimate Gift Boutique in the lobby and, as she was retiring, she envisioned POTA providing opportunities and supporting artists and artisans with a new shop. Voilà! A dream came true in February. The Anchor Inn provides us with the space and assists with sales transactions. All of our attention is on our artists – 23 to start! 

WORDS ON THE WATER YOUTH POETRY

When Words on the Water was cancelled this year, Angel Murphy tried something new. She organised a poetry contest for youth from grades 9-12. It was wonderfully successful and they were delighted to have received such a large number of entrants. POTA provided prizes for the talented winners.

NORTH ISLAND COLLEGE BURSARY

Always thrilled to make a difference, POTA has provided a $1,000 bursary to a North Island College Fine Arts student for a second year. The grateful recipient responded with, “I was unsure if a [fine arts education] was ever going to happen… Your generosity has helped a young adult realize [that I] can follow my dreams… Miracles do happen if we put ourselves out there.”

39th ANNUAL MEMBERS’ SHOW

The much-loved Members’ Show was presented by the Campbell River Arts Council and the Art Gallery. Acknowledging local and north island artists, it was presented online as a virtual gallery, and at the Campbell River Art Gallery. It was a spirit-lifting celebration of artistic talent. POTA provided prizes for People’s Choice Awards.

ART+EARTH FESTIVAL POP UP PAINTERS

Once again, we were part of the ART+EARTH Festival, which is running for several months this year. In July we sponsored a Pop Up Painters event downtown. Eleven painters brought their paintbrushes and easels and set up outside of businesses. It was a fun opportunity for shoppers to meet them and ask questions about their art. POTA provided two prizes for painters.

THE EDGE SHOP & RESTAURANT GALLERY

THE EDGE Island Inspired Art shop continued to be a success into the summer months, paying over $3,000 from sales to our artists. We expanded by adding an art gallery to the Anchor Inn’s waterfront restaurant. Our first installation featured works for sale by Mona Craig, Tasse Geldart, Eiko Jones and Jill Paris Rody. We installed a roadside sign promoting THE EDGE. Thank you to Dan Samson and Erika Haley of RE/MAX Check Realty for providing the signpost. Heather Hughson created the dazzling sign with Pavel Barta’s logo design.

GRANDMOTHERS TO GRANDMOTHERS SILENT ART AUCTION

This wonderful group raised money for the Stephen Lewis Foundation through a silent art auction. One of their members – Tasse Geldart – generously donated a painting. Tasse’s art captures the beauty of nature that is just outside of our door; this painting was of a scene from Elk Falls Provincial Park.

STUART CLARK’S HIDE AND SEEK MURAL

Downtown Campbell River BIA has brought art to the streets with a series of murals by local artists. POTA sponsored Stuart Clark’s Hide and Seek photo. Look for it on the wall near RBC.

2020 EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

TIDEMARK THEATRE SPRING AND SUMMER DRAMA CAMPS FOR YOUTH

POTA sponsored mentors for both camps. This was an exciting opportunity for youth to delve into the world of performance and all that makes it happen – lighting, sound, action! 

NORTH ISLAND COLLEGE BURSARY

A $1000 bursary was awarded to a Fine Arts student who demonstrated an all-out work ethic and a passion for the arts.

DOWNTOWN WEARABLE ART WINDOW DISPLAY – JULY-AUGUST

The Wearable Art Show took on a new look as designers from the fall 2019 fashion show, Amy Louise (Mother), Tami Bennett (Beyond the Blue), Mona Craig (Lucky Dress), and Charlotte Deptford (Queen of Hearts), provided their pieces for display in the former Needles and Arts Centre window. The display was amazing and brought a smile to passersby. This was truly a partnership event! A quick drop into Mercedes Lane Too and La Tee Da and our request for mannequins was fulfilled. Kris at Impressions Custom Framing and Arts Supplies provided us with lighting and the Tidemark Theatre provided spotlights. 

WEARABLE ART SHOW HEADING OUT IN OUR HATS – AUGUST

Reality – the fall 2020 Wearable Art Show was not going to happen. So, what shall we do instead? How about a wearable art summertime event? Voilà! We sent out a challenge to design and create hats. Adult and child artists took up our challenge. We had an amazing array of hats that downtown shops displayed in their windows. Everyone who participated received gift certificates from shops in the Downtown BIA. Laughter and a sense of connection with our community happened in spades. POTA was the talk of the town!

POP UP PAINTERS – AUGUST

One beautiful August day we adorned our downtown streets with pop up artists. It was a wonderful success. Shoppers stopped by to have a look and chat with the artists. There were gift certificates for the painters, shoppers for the shops. Watch for events like this in the future.

YOUNG AT ART – NOVEMBER

Nadia Reiger’s Crow’s Nest Gallery hosted this event. Creative young artists participated and POTA provided $450 in prize money that was awarded in the form of gift certificates.

2019 EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES

CAMPBELL RIVER GARDEN TOUR – JULY

What a wonderful weekend! It was a record with 291 tickets sold. The gardens were beautiful, the visitors appreciative, and the 25+ artists and musicians amazing. This was a collaborative event with POTA partnering with the CR Garden Club and the City of CR as hosts.

RIVER CITY ARTS FESTIVAL – JULY

An Art Zentangle experience with Barb Round and Penny Gosselin was sponsored by POTA and CR Arts Council.

Zentangle creates amazing art by drawing patterns called tangles, a method designed by Rick Roberts and Maria Thomas. All you have to be able to do is to make elemental strokes, and a world of patterns begins to unfold as you are guided through a relaxing (thus the zen), fun, and easy method. It’s magical!

ART + EARTH FESTIVAL CELEBRATION: AN EVENING SOIRÉE – SEPTEMBER

POTA hosted an enjoyable evening soirée at the Campbell River Museum on behalf of the Festival. POTA featured the unveiling of original art work from four local artists: Eiko Jones, photography; Jill Paris Rody, painting; Ellen Statz, pottery; Alex Witcombe, Drifted Creations. There were also readings from local writers and music. Guests met the artists, celebrating their art in a relaxed social setting.

ART + EARTH FESTIVAL ART SHOW: ULTIMATE GIFT BOUTIQUE – SEPTEMBER

Charlotte Deptford’s Ultimate Gift Boutique showcased Campbell River artists’ works that reflected an art and earth theme.

WEARABLE ART FASHION SHOW – A FUN AND FUNKY EVENT – OCTOBER

This fabulous evening featured choreographed presentations by visual and performing artists on stage in the Tidemark Theatre. Designers and models dazzled the audience.

For photos and more information go to the Wearable Art Fashion Show Page.