Paintings are being shown at Arbutus Arts

Dropped off 3 paintings at Arbutus Arts yesterday and so we'll see how that goes. I believe the opening for the season is the Friday of the May Long Weekend although I think my paintings will be on display as of next weekend.

I am in the process of making up a little write-up about myself to go on the backs of the paintings and just completed my profile page so that I can leave a profile / artwork portfolio with the Manager, Nicki.

Becoming a part of the Community

I have now been living on Hornby Island the better part of a year. I'm still extremely in love with this place and have enjoyed meeting all kinds of new people. Although I already knew this, the one big thing that I'm amazed at is just how much community spirit there is here and how many people give so much of their time and energy to make this island the best it can be. I'm truly astonished at the generosity and caring of people here.

Just this week a new Medical Clinic was opened with over $300,000 fundraised by the community.......the building is absolutely stunning and even has an emergency room and lab. There is another project being undertaken which involves building houses for people that can't afford property here but may have grown up on Hornby and wish to stay. It should also attract people from off island that can work in a trade or other venture on the island who may otherwise have not been able to afford to do this. 20 acres of land was donated for this purpose by a couple on the island. The houses will be owned but not the property making it easier for people to buy into the market.

On that vein of thought of being a part of the community, I have now joined "H.U.G.G.S. "(Hornby's United Grandmothers and Grand Sisters). The focus of this group is to fundraise for and support the grandmothers living in sub-Saharan Africa who are bringing up all the orphans whose parents have died from HIV/Aids. H.U.G.G.S. is is one of many groups across Canada under the umbrella of the Stephen Lewis Foundation. My first project for them was to paint a stool which will be auctioned off at the Hornby Island Festival in the summer. There will be over 50 chairs and stools painted by various locals and well-known artists in the auction as part of this fundraiser.

I also just joined the Health Care Society and will hopefully join one of the Art's Societies or groups soon.