Soft Shore where land and water meet

An interactive art installation McMillan Arts Centre July 6 to September 1, 2019

The Oceanside Community Arts Council and the McMillan Arts Centre are thrilled to announce their summer 2019 art installation project. Soft Shore: where land and water meet is an exploration of texture, colours and art methods in celebration of the beauty of the natural ocean shore landscape. Featuring a myriad of artistic styles and narratives, Soft Shore blends fibre, metal, glass, photography, acrylic and watercolour in a community’s homage to the spectacular natural scapes of the Oceanside shoreline.

Following the outstanding success of his Monet reVisited glass project, Installation Designer, Robert Held brings together internationally celebrated artists to create a unique art interaction experience.

“We are so fortunate to be working with Christopher Smith (Glaskrafter Art Glass), Nelson Shaw (Blue Heron Steel Studio) and renowned artists Joe and Ray Bob of the Snaw-Naw-As First Nation as well as Haa’Yuups (Ron Hamilton) of the Nuu-Chah-Nulth First Nation.” Supported by the Pacific Salmon Foundation and the Mid Vancouver Island Habitat Enhancement Society, the exhibit features key components of cast glass salmon sculptures, steel grasses and herons and Held’s handcrafted “herring ball” piece made entirely of art glass. Gracing an entire wall, Haa’Yuups’ painted salmon screen together with art pieces created for the exhibit by Joe and Ray Bob will make this an “unforgettable collection”, says Held. “We are incredibly excited to announce that the digital images of Christina Mittermeier, internationally celebrated National Geographic photographer, activist, writer and adventurer will now join this exhibit in a state of the art Digital Gallery, a first of its kind in our area”

Our ocean shoreline is such an exciting and inspirational art narrative. We are welcoming some of the province’s most celebrated visual and sculptural artists who are coming together to create a rich and emotional homage to the natural beauty that surrounds us. Soft Shore: where land and water meet is a spectacular and unique art event which reminds us of the awesome responsibility we have to maintaining healthy natural environments. Jennifer Bate, Executive Director, McMillan Arts Centre

Soft Shore’s educational series promises students of all ages a fun and interactive exploration of local habitats, salmon species territories and insight into the vital ecological relationships between all those who reside here. The Exhibit Opening will feature a blessing ceremony by local Snaw-Naw-As First Nations as well as dignitaries, invited guests, featured artists and Arts Council members to officially welcome this spectacular art exhibit to our community. Visit us at www.mcmillanartscentre.com.