exhibitions

Upcoming Exhibitions
2023 – Earth: Root of Life Nov.2 – Dec. 20
2023 – Baskets: The Judy Hill Collection – Educated by a Basket Sept. 6 – Oct. 25
2023 – Noboru Sawai / Yuko Yamamoto – Art of the Boundary
July 12 – Aug. 26
2023 – Mimigwesiwak – The Little People of the Cree and other art by Graham Pettman May 18 – July 5
2023 – A Feminine Vision – works by Maggie Hazell-Rosen March 16 – May 13
2022 – IceBear: Dreams of a Dreamer in the Modern Age
2022 – Summer Art Fair
2021 – Forest: Breath of Life
2021 – Forest: Breath of Life / Youth in the Arts online exhibition
2019 – Upon Reflection
2019 – The Suitcase Project
2018 – Estuary: Cradle of Life
2018 – Expressions of Interest
2023 a Feminine Vision: works by Maggie Hazell-Rosen
Cowichan Public Art Gallery
126 Ingram Street, Duncan, B.C.

The Cowichan Public Art Gallery Society (CPAG) is pleased to announce the opening of its interim home.
CPAG has taken over the lower level of the Green Door Building, located at 126 Ingram Street in downtown Duncan, and will open its doors on March 16th with a retrospective exhibition of the work of Maggie Hazell-Rosen.
Maggie’s work is distinctly feminine, with a warm colour palette and often displaying a strong sense of humour. It’s easy to recognize these qualities in the work that has been assembled for this retrospective exhibition, which is a very small sample of her total oeuvre. Most of the earliest works shown are abstract oil paintings on canvas or masonite; owning to her having developed an allergy to turpentine, her work after 1970 expanded to include acrylic paintings, etchings and other prints, and drawings, many of which include some watercolour or coloured pencil elements. She had a firm but relaxed line, which really drew out the personality of her subjects.
The full page about this exhibition can be seen here: a Feminine Vision – works by Maggie Hazell-Rosen
Photos of the exhibition, March, 2023
(photos by Dorian Melton)
2022 IceBear: Dreams of a Dreamer in the Modern Age
Cowichan Valley Arts Council Gallery
Cowichan Community Centre, 2687 James Street, Duncan, B.C.

This major solo exhibition of the internationally renowned Ojibway artist IceBear, titled The Modern Age Dreams of a Dreamer, ran from July 29 to August 19 at the CVAC Gallery, in the Cowichan Community Centre, at 2687 James Street in Duncan, BC.
Photos of the Artist talk given by IceBear, August 16, 2022
(photos by Dorian Melton)
Exhibition Curator Kimberley Stanger says: “We are extremely excited that IceBear has agreed to bring his works to the Duncan community and become involved in one of the very first Cowichan Public Art Gallery exhibitions of this calibre. IceBear has a unique and poignant perspective of our world that must be shared.”
IceBear was born into the Ojibway community known as Chippewas of Nawash, on the Bruce Peninsula just north of Wiarton, Ontario. He was one of those unfortunate children gathered up in what came to be known as ‘the Sixties Scoop’. He was raised by the state but, by rare good fortune, found support for his art at the day school he attended. A nun who recognized his talent took on the challenge of getting him into formal art training at a very early age. Then, the first positive male role model in his life, a high school art teacher named Jim Henderson, spent time with a troubled young artist and set his feet on a path forward.
From his initial strong graphic images with clear aboriginal roots to the wild abstracts that now fill walls, his work over the years has explored multiple genres and themes, in two and three dimensions, governed only by the visions that fill his head. His work has been exhibited in France, Italy, Austria, New York, Dallas, Sacramento, Beijing and Taiwan, and many points in between. Major public artworks can be found in Sidney and Victoria, BC.
Additional information about the artist can be found on his website: icebearstudios.com
The full page about this exhibition can be seen here: IceBear: Dreams of a Dreamer
2022 CPAG Summer Art Fair / July 16 – August 27
Green door property
126 Ingram Street, Duncan, B.C.

The CPAG Summer Art Fair tied into the Duncan Farmers Market and took place on the Heritage Green Door property, now owned by the Cowichan Public Art Gallery (CPAG), and featured local visual artists.
CPAG’s purpose is to advance the public’s appreciation of the arts by producing public art exhibitions, presentations, and arts events, and by providing a forum for qualified artists to exhibit, present, or perform their artistic works through participation in such events.
Images of the Summer Art Fair
( photos by Dorian Melton )
Participating vendors
Catherine Fraser
Cindy Friesen-Ford
Becky Hennessey
Jock Hildebrand
Roger Jackson
Julie King
Wilma Millette
Bev Thompson
Linda Weech
2021 Forest: Breath of Life / CVAC Gallery, July 28 – August 24
Cowichan Valley Arts Council Gallery
Cowichan Community Centre, 2687 James Street, Duncan, B.C.

Show set up
( photos by Dorian Melton )
Opening night
( photos by Dorian Melton and Ron Nunweiler )
Closing performance
(by Yuko Yamamoto, Cari Burdett and audience members)
( photos by Dorian Melton )
Panel discussion
hosted by Cowichan Public Art Gallery and Sierra Club BC
“Forest: Breath of Life” An inspiring conversation about the intersections of art, climate justice, and forests.
Panel discussion was hosted by Elisabeth Noble, Manager of Donor Engagement at Sierra Club BC and will feature guest panelists Kiran Niet, Regional Coordinator with the Sustainabiliteens; Rande Cook ~ Makwala, hereditary chief of the Ma’amtagila; and Kyle Scheurmann, painter and recent participant in the Eden Grove Artist in Residence program near Fairy Creek.
Watch a recording of the discussion: recorded panel discussion on YouTube

Exhibiting artists
Charlie Barrett
Ilka Bauer
Judy Brayden
Jared B.Angelo Cavagnaro
Lil Chrzan
Emilie Crewe
Gloria Daly
Janine Duns
Diana Durrand
Martina Edmondson
Lori Goldberg
Charlotte Haggart
Cathi Jefferson
Rosalynn K.Lyssa Kayra
Rosa Lynn Korteland
Rory MacDonald
Sara Marreiros
Eileen McGann
Bea Miller
Jessie Na
Shelley Ross
Goetz Schuerholz
Marion Syme
Bev Thompson
Helena Wadsley
Yuko Yamamoto
Christi York
Yifei Zhang
2021 Forest: Breath of Life / Youth in the Arts – Online Exhibition, May 1 – May 31
In co-operation with Sierra Club BC
As the first wave of the Covid-19 pandemic was at this time; this Youth in the Arts exhibition was produced as an online-only event.
2019 Upon Reflection / Blue Grouse Estate Winery, October 11 – 13

Saturday, Oct. 12, 3:00 pm – 5:00 pm CPAG Media Launch.
Friday, Oct. 11 – Sunday Oct. 13, 11:00 am – 5:00 pm “Upon Reflection” an indoor/outdoor exhibition of sculpture by prominent B.C. artists.
The final attendance for this exhibition was 300.
Cowichan Valley Regional District directors voted Wednesday, July 24 to provide a letter of support for the Cowichan Public Art Gallery project after hearing a presentation by CPAG President Jock Hildebrand and Public Relations Chairperson, Dorian Melton. CVRD support follows a similar letter from City of Duncan councilors. Project board members will next present their plans to the North Cowichan Council.
This far-sighted endeavor already has support from publicly funded arts councils, our Member of Parliament Alistair McGregor, our MLA Sonia Furstenau and others. Jean Crowder, our former MLA, is Honorary Chairperson of CPAG. CPAG members number about 150 and rising.
The Cowichan Public Art Gallery (formal name is pending) will measure between 25,000 and 35,000 square feet and will host national and international art (85% of programming) as well as the work of local artists (15% of programming): from painting to sculpture to other visual mediums. The gallery will also offer arts education and awareness programs, promoting the Valley as home to one of Canada’s highest concentrations of artists per capita.
Mr. Hildebrand points out that arts based tourism based on a world-class art gallery in Cowichan Valley will also benefit other galleries on the island as well as local businesses such as hotels, stores, restaurants and bars, generating local jobs.
“This project will become a cornerstone for the Vancouver Island cultural community. As well providing visual arts that otherwise may not be accessible to Island residents, the thirty-five million dollar building will become a major economic driver in these days of diminishing resource-based economies. With seven dollars return for every dollar spent, the community will benefit in all ways.”
CPAG board members are researching funding as well as looking at potential sites and gallery design. They are examining how similar galleries in other cities are operating based on community support, grants from government and private donors, and fundraising.
We want to thank our sponsors, Blue Grouse Estate Winery, and Island Savings Credit Union for their generous support in making this event happen. Our thanks also go to the fine B.C. scupltors who contributed their work to this sculpture exhibition. We also very much appreciate the many dignitaries and special guests who, despite their busy schedules took time to come and share some very supportive thoughts regarding our vision to build a Class “A” Public Art Gallery here in the Cowichan Valley.
Last, but not least, our deepest gratitude goes to our many dedicated volunteers and Board members whose efforts helped to bring this exhibition and Media Lauch to fruition.

Media Launch / reception
Daniel Cline
Chemainus, B.C. www.danielclinesculpture.com
Deborah Wilson
Vernon, B.C. www.deborahwilson.bc.ca
Denis Kleine
Nelson, B.C. www.deniskleine.ca
Fred Dobbs
Victoria, B.C. www.sculptorfred.com
Congratulations to Fred Dobbs on his piece: “The Exchange” being chosen for a Juror’s Award at the 2019 Sidney Fine Arts Show!
Richard Palmer
Palmer Iron Works, Cowichan Station, B.C.
2019 The Suitcase Project / Arbutus Gallery, July 5 – 26
Tuesday July 9, 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm Opening Reception with various performances, Arbutus Gallery.
Thursday, July 18, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm “Global Displacement” public panel and conversation, Mesachie Room, Arbutus Gallery.
Friday, July 26, 10:00 am – 12:00 noon “Landscapes of Injustice” presentation by members of the research collective, UVic., Mesachie Room, Arbutus Gallery.
The final attendance for the Suitcase Project exhibition was 1,029.

Opening night reception
Global Displacement
a panel discussion.
Landscapes of Injustice
a presentation by members of the UVic Research Collective
2019 Estuary: Cradle of Life / Arbutus Gallery, March 4 – 23

The final attendance for this, our second Art Exhibition was 980!
Thanks to all those who made this event a success.
The purpose of this art show was to promote the need to protect our estuary and to learn how we can safeguard this irreplaceable ecosystem.
Why do we need to protect estuaries?
The economy of many coastal areas is based primarily on the natural beauty and bounty of estuaries. When those natural resources are imperiled, so too are the livelihoods of the many people who live and work there. As shown by this art exhibition estuaries provide us with a whole suite of resources, benefits, and services. Some of these can be measured in dollars and cents, others cannot. Estuaries are an irreplaceable natural resource that must be managed carefully for the mutual benefit of all who enjoy and depend on them.
More images coming soon.
Opening night reception
Show take-down
2018 Expressions of Interest / Arbutus Gallery, July 26 – August 14

The final attendance for our first Art Exhibition was 1,101, not bad for our first show!
Thanks to all those who made this inaugural event a success.
More photos to come.