You're right to ask yourself what an "AquaVan" is. Is it a van that can swim? Is it a vehicle of fantastic thirst-quenching abilities?
No! It's the Vancouver Aquarium's BC Hydro-sponsored mobile, um, aquarium, complete with marine life from up and down B.C.'s coast. It's an educational tool for children across the province who can't necessarily visit the Vancouver Aquarium but still need to understand, in person, the subjects of their elementary school science classes. It's meant for children but no doubt parents will feel the urge to poke purple starfish with extended fingers just like their six-year-olds.
The AquaVan will be parked outside the Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre on Sunday, April 3, from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. Aquarium staff will be on-hand with interactive and educational displays of the province's diverse marine life.
Now in its 15th year in operation, the AquaVan is currently making its rounds through the province to, "encourage the discovery of connections between animals, environment and ourselves."
Secrets of Clayoquot Sound exposed in Brackendale
Sadly, it has less to do with region-wide gossip and everything to do with Clayoquot Sound's flora and fauna. But that's okay, because the area around Tofino and beyond includes some of the most dramatic landscapes and fascinating wildlife this side of the Rocky Mountains.
The Secrets of Clayoquot Sound slideshow, presented by Tofino residents Dan Lewis and Bonny Glambeck at the Brackendale Art Gallery on Thursday, April 7, is a stunning photographic essay of the region, it's ecological make-up and how industrial activity threatens it.
The evening will include intimate portraits of the region's landscapes, its people and, yes, plenty of whales, wolves and bears to keep you satisfied, along with commentary by Lewis and Glambeck. Show starts at 7:30 p.m. Entry is by donation.
Arts Council calling all artists for ArtWalk
The point is to get your work seen and appreciated and the best way to do it is to have people walking by it. If you're a Sea to Sky artist, well, ArtWalk is your best option.
The Whistler Arts Council is now accepting applications from all artists who work and reside in the Sea to Sky Corridor, including visual, multi-media or fibre artists, photographers, jewellers or sculptors.
ArtWalk is the Arts Council's flagship event and will run from June 20 to August 31. For the last seven years, ArtWalk has featured work from a variety of artists while local shops and businesses from have acted as host galleries. It provides big exposure for all artists.
Applications are also being accepted from local businesses interested in participating and hosting any of the galleries. The deadline for both applications is Friday, April 15.
For more information or to apply, visit www.artswhistler.com.
Original art by Alison Hodson.
Recipient of the 2009 Sea To Sky Professional Artist Award of Excellence, Alison Hodson, is presenting a collection of original art work at Millennium Place that began on March 28.
Varied in subject matter from urban landscapes to lush forests, her body of work places emphasis on texture and dimension through a unique combination of photographic imagery and textiles.
There will be a fundraiser raffle during the Opening Reception to take home an original art work by Hodson. Each ticket will be $25; the winner will be announced at the end of the evening with proceeds donated to the Canadian Red Cross in effort to help those survivors of the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. There will also be Red Cross donation boxes at the event.
Viewings can be done Monday to Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Sat- closed Sun- call for hours
On March 31 attend and enjoy meeting Hodson during an evening of art, music, wine and food.
In describing her work Hodson says: "I want my work to challenge preconceptions of beauty by bringing attention to everyday subjects, things that most people walk by daily without notice. I invite people to slow down, to open their eyes to their surroundings and to see that in all things there is the possibility of something more."
