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A&E column: Easter Eggspress is back, plus plenty of art to enjoy

Metal art on display at Imagine That! gallery
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Girls in the Rain by Robert Sears. Sears has a show on now at the CVAC gallery in Duncan. (Robert Sears painting)

Get ready for a three-day celebration of Easter in Duncan, as the BC Forest Discovery Centre brings back its popular Easter Eggspress.

This event was put on hold the last two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but it’s back for 2022 on April 16 to 18.

“This event has been a popular spring tradition for more than 10 years and was so popular prior to COVID that we are very excited to celebrate it for the entire three-day Easter long weekend,” said Chris Gale, manager at the BC Forest Discovery Centre. “We have missed seeing our regular members and the families that make so many of our events their family traditions and we are so happy to be open for the three days to celebrate Easter.”

Activities include an Easter scavenger hunt with goodie bags at the end, supplied by Save-On-Foods, unlimited train rides on the Green Hornet as well as a concession and the opportunity to explore the Forest Discovery Centre property.

Admission is $8 for children three to 12 years old (everyone younger gets in free), and $10 for adults, seniors and youth. The centre is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The BCFDC says other special events planned for 2022 include Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Canada Day, a truck show, Kid’s Day, Labour Day, Halloween and the Christmas Express.

If you get a yearly family membership, admission into all events is included.

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Two new art shows at the Cowichan Valley Arts Council galleries in the Cowichan Community Centre in Duncan explore “the mystery and beauty of our surroundings.”

Up now until April 14 is Island Visions in the Annex. It features magical realist work by Robert Sears, who grew up in New York before moving to Cowichan Bay. His work is inspired by Japanese realists Hiroshige and Hokusai, says a press release for the show.

Also on now until April 30 is Sense of Place.

Sense of Place features the works of Sharron Campbell, Angela Andersen, Rory MacDonald, Nan Goodship and Peter Spohn.

“The group will be well-known to the region’s arts community,” said a press release.

Campbell was commissioned to create a piece for the new Cowichan Hospice, and did a panorama landscape of the Cowichan estuary.

“I love it for its openness and light and because it is central to the ecosystem of the area,” she said.

Spouses Spohn and Goodship taught at Sunrise Waldorf School. Andersen has received several scholarships, including for her leadership in community art, where she taught the subject for 18 years. MacDonald is a member of the Federation of Canadian Painters.

From April 16 to 30 the Warmland Calligraphers will set up their spring show.

“The talented artisans turn penmanship and poetry into visual art in these very collectible pieces,” said a press release.

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Imagine That! gallery on Craig Street in downtown Duncan is also getting ready to feature new works in their windows for the month of April.

Beginning Friday, April 1 until Friday, April 29 Metal Art by Matt Glanville and Enamels by Margot Page will grace the display spaces.

Glanville is described as “a welder, metal fabricator, and machinist who creates large sculptural metal pieces designed for the yard, garden, or interior spaces.

Vancouver Island sea life has inspired him since childhood.

He enjoys the challenge of creating structural pieces that reflect his childhood memories and enhance the inherent beauty and strength of the steel.”

In contrast, “Margot has been creating enamel jewelry and plaques for more than 40 years. She makes items which have a useful purpose besides being lovely to look at. She adds her enamel pieces to note blocks, bookmarks, vases, journals, and more.”

Stroll by for a look.

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The metal art of Matt Glanville will be featured in the window of Imagine That! gallery in downtown Duncan for the month of April. (Matt Glanville sculpture)


Andrea Rondeau

About the Author: Andrea Rondeau

I returned to B.C. and found myself at the Cowichan Valley Citizen.
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