Salmon and local waterways will be the focus of a Qualicum Beach community art project for BC Culture Days this fall.
Local artists will design and paint 50 wooden fish, which will be temporarily mounted near Beach Creek, according to organizer Diane Moran.
The colourful fish will be unveiled at an event on Sept. 24, which happens to also be B.C. and World Rivers Day.
“I wanted to capture celebrating B.C. and World Rivers Day and so that’s where the whole fish idea came in,” said Moran, who has been an advocate for rivers and streams oriented initiatives for many years. “One of the things I’ve always done is use art as a catalyst for change and to inspire people.”
Templates for the fish are available at the office of Adam Walker, MLA for Parksville Qualicum, located at A-184 Second Ave W in Qualicum Beach.
Moran has also been encouraged by collaboration with local environmental groups such as Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society (MVIHES) and Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute (MABRRI). That assistance is in addition to support from local businesses and community groups.
The Mid Island Woodworkers Guild have donated wood and two of its volunteers will cut out 29 of the fish. Moran already received 21 cut out fish from MVIHES.
Dolly’s Home Hardware donated painting supplies as well as materials for mounting the fish at Beach Creek. Qualicum Art Supply and Gallery will offer a discount on supplies for people painting the fish.
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The fish will be primed yellow, to connect the art project to campaigns promoting awareness of riparian conservation.
It will be a multi-generational project, with students at Ballenas Secondary School, Kwalikum Secondary School, as well as local retirement homes already expressing interest.
Everyone is welcome to enter and the only limiting factor will be if all 50 wooden fish are picked up.
The Sept. 24 event will also feature public education interactive displays from MVIHES and MABRRI along with other guests. There will also be a hands-on paper fish art activity. All ages are welcome. Keep in mind the event will be outdoors by the beach so dress for all weather and conditions.
After a temporary stay outdoors near the Qualicum Beach Visitor Centre by Beach Creek, the fish will move to the lower lobby of Qualicum Beach Town Hall on Sept. 26, where they will be displayed until Oct. 13 during regular business hours (Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.)
Fish art designs can be emailed to Moran at moraninthemoon@gmail.com.
The fish must be painted and complete by Sept. 5.
More information about the Qualicum Beach Culture Days Hub is available online.
