Sampler Workshops
Exploring Meaning
Through Art & Patterns
with Julie Sirmul
January 24th – 10am to 2pm
Shawnigan Lake Community Centre
This class will invite you to look inward to explore the ground of curiosity and ease through discussion and meditation, discovering our personal symbology through self-inquiry, collaborating with the natural world. In this space of deep slow relaxation our creativity can blossom. We will use paint, collage, and printmaking to take away an art piece that will offer us meaning and understanding.
Some supplies provided, participants are also welcome to bring/share materials!
Laura has a background in literature, languages, art, and music. She went on to study healing and energy work, shamanic sound journey, divine feminine mystery school, meditation, intuition, and mediumship, and the gene keys. Laura enjoys empowering children & adults on their path of self-awareness and transformation.
Winter Solstice Singalong
Call For Visual Artists
Recognition & Recollection
An Intersection of Art and Health
Recognition and Recollection aims to amplify the impact of art on mental health. Artists know how important creating and experiencing creativity is for well-being. This initiative magnifies the significance arts and culture have on our mental health and the human experience. Artists are invited to submit work that explore the following themes: · Mental Health Challenge · Memory, Consciousness & the Self · Alzheimer’s & Cognitive Decline · Art as Health Advocacy · Mental Health & Complex Social Issues · States of Being (ie; joy, sadness, reflection…etc)
This show is a collaboration between the Five Arts Guilds of Cowichan Valley Regional District; CSAG (Mill Bay, Cobble Hill and Shawnigan Lake, CVAC (Cowichan Valley Arts Council), Arts at Cowichan Lake, Arts Council of Ladysmith, and Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts and the CVRD Arts and Culture. The show will be held January 8th to February 28th , 2026 in the lobby of the Cowichan Arts Centre Theatre.
To submit your work for this show contact Diane at hello@cowichansouthartsguild.com before Dec 10th, 2025.
Whimsy Turns One!
In celebration of World Storytelling Day and the Spring Equinox, enjoy these videos of Whimsy’s story throughout her first year.
Whimsy has received many warm birthday wishes:
“Happy Birthday Whimsy!! You have been a wonderful addition to our community, bringing artsy projects to young and older!!! Thank you for all you are doing for our community!! My apologies for sending regrets to your birthday invitation but I am playing joyfully on the shores of Loreto, Baja, Mexico.”
– Marian Davies
“Whimsy emerges from her cocoon last year, March 20th, 2024”
CREATORS CIRCLE
Formerly Makers Circle and Fearless Friday Painters.
Note: Creators Circle meetings have moved to Fridays.
A space for makers, painters, & ‘artists at heart’ to gather & work on their projects in the company of other creatives. Great opportunity for shared conversation & inspiration! Runs September through May. First session free to drop in and see if you would like to join us! Free to members!
Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist; the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.”
The grown ups of Cowichan South Arts Guild help children and youth of all ages in the community harness their creativity through their Inspire Youth Arts program. Studies show that the arts promote creativity and encourage neural connections while developing self expression and building healthy self esteem and relationships. CSAG president Jennie Stevens, who is also the coordinator of their IYA program, said the guild created the IYA arts tent as a way to provide art activities and keep youngsters engaged, and entertained at community events such as Cobble Hill’s Music in the Park series.
“It has since been very successful,” said Stevens.. “We have anywhere from 60 to 80 kids that come through that art tent every Thursday night in the summer. We set up open-ended activities for both kids and their families who come out, and we provide all the materials for free through the arts guild. Whatever they create, they get to take home with them.”
“Opportunities to engage in the arts helps us to find & express the truth of who we really are.”
Our Sponsors
Cowichan South Arts Guild acknowledges that we gather together to live, learn & create on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish peoples. We give thanks, and recognize with appreciation, the cultures that have come before us.
Sampler Workshops
Exploring Meaning
Through Art & Patterns
with Laura Sirmul
January 24th – 10am to 2pm
Shawnigan Lake Community Centre
This class will invite you to look inward to explore the ground of curiosity and ease through discussion and meditation, discovering our personal symbology through self-inquiry, collaborating with the natural world. In this space of deep slow relaxation our creativity can blossom. We will use paint, collage, and printmaking to take away an art piece that will offer us meaning and understanding.
Some supplies provided, participants are also welcome to bring/share materials!
Laura has a background in literature, languages, art, and music. She went on to study healing and energy work, shamanic sound journey, divine feminine mystery school, meditation, intuition, and mediumship, and the gene keys. Laura enjoys empowering children & adults on their path of self-awareness and transformation.
Members: $18 / Non-Members: $28
Winter Solstice Singalong
Call For Visual Artists
Recognition and Recollection aims to amplify the impact of art on mental health. Artists know how important creating and experiencing creativity is for well-being. This initiative magnifies the significance arts and culture have on our mental health and the human experience. Artists are invited to submit work that explore the following themes: · Mental Health Challenge · Memory, Consciousness & the Self · Alzheimer’s & Cognitive Decline · Art as Health Advocacy · Mental Health & Complex Social Issues · States of Being (ie; joy, sadness, reflection…etc)
This show is a collaboration between the Five Arts Guilds of Cowichan Valley Regional District; CSAG (Mill Bay, Cobble Hill and Shawnigan Lake, CVAC (Cowichan Valley Arts Council), Arts at Cowichan Lake, Arts Council of Ladysmith, and Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts and the CVRD Arts and Culture. The show will be held January 8th to February 28th , 2026 in the lobby of the Cowichan Arts Centre Theatre.
To submit your work for this show contact Diane at hello@cowichansouthartsguild.com before Dec 10th, 2025
Whimsy Turns One!
In celebration of World Storytelling Day and the Spring Equinox, enjoy these videos of Whimsy’s story throughout her first year.
Whimsy has received many warm birthday wishes:
“Happy Birthday Whimsy!! You have been a wonderful addition to our community, bringing artsy projects to young and older!!! Thank you for all you are doing for our community!! My apologies for sending regrets to your birthday invitation but I am playing joyfully on the shores of Loreto, Baja, Mexico.”
– Marian Davies
“Whimsy emerges from her cocoon last year, March 20th, 2024”
Creators Circle
Formerly Makers Circle and Fearless Friday Painters.
Note: Creators Circle meetings have moved to Fridays.
A space for makers, painters, & ‘artists at heart’ to gather & work on their projects in the company of other creatives. Great opportunity for shared conversation & inspiration! Runs September through May. First session free to drop in and see if you would like to join us! Free to members!
BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS
Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist; the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.”
The grown ups of Cowichan South Arts Guild help children and youth of all ages in the community harness their creativity through their Inspire Youth Arts program. Studies show that the arts promote creativity and encourage neural connections while developing self expression and building healthy self esteem and relationships. CSAG president Jennie Stevens, who is also the coordinator of their IYA program, said the guild created the IYA arts tent as a way to provide art activities and keep youngsters engaged, and entertained at community events such as Cobble Hill’s Music in the Park series.
“It has since been very successful,” said Stevens.. “We have anywhere from 60 to 80 kids that come through that art tent every Thursday night in the summer. We set up open-ended activities for both kids and their families who come out, and we provide all the materials for free through the arts guild. Whatever they create, they get to take home with them.”
Sampler Workshops
Winter Solstice Singalong
Call For Visual Artists
Recognition and Recollection aims to amplify the impact of art on mental health. Artists know how important creating and experiencing creativity is for well-being. This initiative magnifies the significance arts and culture have on our mental health and the human experience. Artists are invited to submit work that explore the following themes: · Mental Health Challenge · Memory, Consciousness & the Self · Alzheimer’s & Cognitive Decline · Art as Health Advocacy · Mental Health & Complex Social Issues · States of Being (ie; joy, sadness, reflection…etc)
This show is a collaboration between the Five Arts Guilds of Cowichan Valley Regional District; CSAG (Mill Bay, Cobble Hill and Shawnigan Lake, CVAC (Cowichan Valley Arts Council), Arts at Cowichan Lake, Arts Council of Ladysmith, and Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts and the CVRD Arts and Culture. The show will be held January 8th to February 28th , 2026 in the lobby of the Cowichan Arts Centre Theatre.
To submit your work for this show contact Diane at hello@cowichansouthartsguild.com before Dec 10th, 2025
Whimsy Turns One!
In celebration of World Storytelling Day and the Spring Equinox, enjoy these videos of Whimsy’s story throughout her first year.
Whimsy has received many warm birthday wishes:
“Happy Birthday Whimsy!! You have been a wonderful addition to our community, bringing artsy projects to young and older!!! Thank you for all you are doing for our community!! My apologies for sending regrets to your birthday invitation but I am playing joyfully on the shores of Loreto, Baja, Mexico.”
– Marian Davies
“Whimsy emerges from her cocoon last year, March 20th, 2024”
BOOK CLUB SELECTIONS
Pablo Picasso once said, “Every child is an artist; the problem is staying an artist when you grow up.”
The grown ups of Cowichan South Arts Guild help children and youth of all ages in the community harness their creativity through their Inspire Youth Arts program. Studies show that the arts promote creativity and encourage neural connections while developing self expression and building healthy self esteem and relationships. CSAG president Jennie Stevens, who is also the coordinator of their IYA program, said the guild created the IYA arts tent as a way to provide art activities and keep youngsters engaged, and entertained at community events such as Cobble Hill’s Music in the Park series.
“It has since been very successful,” said Stevens.. “We have anywhere from 60 to 80 kids that come through that art tent every Thursday night in the summer. We set up open-ended activities for both kids and their families who come out, and we provide all the materials for free through the arts guild. Whatever they create, they get to take home with them.”
“Opportunities to engage in the arts helps us to find & express the truth of who we really are.”
Our Sponsors
Cowichan South Arts Guild acknowledges that we gather together to live, learn & create on the traditional lands of the Coast Salish peoples. We give thanks, and recognize with appreciation, the cultures that have come before us.
