Photo (L-R) PS Debra Toporowski, PS Dana Lajeunesse, Minister Anna Kang, Minister Jennifer Whiteside, Interim Executive Director and Curator of Contemporary Art Jenelle Pasiechnik and Art Hive Creative Director Nadine Bariteau.
The CRAG receives certificates of recognition for fostering community engagement and enrichment through contemporary art in Campbell River.
On a recent tour of the gallery, Labour Minister Jennifer Whiteside and Municipal Affairs Minister Anne Kang, along with Parliamentary Secretary for Accessibility Dana Lajeunesse, and Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health Debra Toporowski awarded the art gallery a Certificate of Recognition from Premier David Eby.
The Campbell River Art Gallery was presented with a Certificate of Recognition from the Premier, Honourable David Eby as well as a Recognition Certificate from the Legislative Assembly of BC. The certificate reads, “I am pleased to recognize your [the CRAG’s] commitment to fostering community engagement and cultural enrichment through contemporary art. The range and diversity of media that have been exhibited over the past three decades have undoubtedly intrigued and inspired all who have visited. Your work contributes significantly to the cultural vitality of Campbell River and the surrounding region.”
The CRAG is Campbell River’s only non-profit public art gallery whose mission is to engage the hearts and minds of communities through the diversity of contemporary art. As well as build towards a vision of maintaining a renowned and welcoming space to gather around art that matters.
Interim Director & Curator of Contemporary Art, Jenelle Pasiechnik says, “We are honoured to receive such recognition for the community engaged work we do with the Art Hive, exhibitions, and public outreach, and to know that there are politicians that support caring and inclusive programming that make real impacts in our communities.”
The CRAG hosts three exhibitions annually featuring professional Canadian artists, and an Annual Members’ Show highlighting talented local artists. The exhibitions focus on uplifting and bringing visibility to underrepresented voices within contemporary art. Each exhibition hosts a wide variety of barrier-free programming to the community from artist run workshops, performances, professional artists talks, and more.
Since February 2022, the CRAG has also been facilitating the weekly, artist-run open studio known as the CRAG Art Hive. This studio serves as a space for connection and artistic expression for Peers from the unhoused and lived-experience community. Food and supplies are provided, and guest facilitators are brought in to teach special skills such as cedar bark harvesting, beading, carving, and print-making. Participants are encouraged to create their own designs, and to sell their work as consignors through the CRAG’s Gallery Shop. Many participants have learned to screen-print, and their designs can be seen on shirts and apparel worn around Campbell River and beyond.
The gallery and its programs are by donation to attend; As a registered charity, the CRAG is supported by annual membership fees, donations, and grants from the City of Campbell River, Canada Council for the Arts, and the British Columbia Arts Council, as well as Sponsorships from local citizens and businesses.
To donate please go to: www.crartgallery.ca/donate/
