Keeping It Living Art for the Estuary Now, Then & Future

Project Watershed's "Art for the Estuary" Fundraiser
Then, Now and Future

The Comox Valley Project Watershed Society is holding its sixth annual Keeping It Living art campaign which raises funds for the protection and restoration of the K'ómoks Estuary. This year's title "Then, Now and Future" asked artists to capture their vision of the past, present and future of the estuary. Internationally renowned local K'ómoks First Nation artist Andy Everson has created an image for this year's campaign entitled "Stillness".

Art submissions for this year's campaign will be on display at the Pearl Ellis Gallery at 1729 A Comox Avenue from May 12-31. During this time all pieces will be available for silent auction with half the proceeds going to the artist and half to the fundraising campaign. The silent auction can be accessed on Project Watershed's website www.projectwatershed.ca. Limited edition prints of Andy Everson's work will be on sale at the Pearl Ellis Gallery as well as at Project Watershed's offices 2356A Rosewall Crescent, Tintown and online at www.keepingitliving.ca.

To celebrate this year's campaign Project Watershed will be holding the "Upstairs Downstairs" Gala Event at the Pearl Ellis Gallery on May 23 from 7-9 pm featuring:

Upstairs (Pearl Ellis)

• A Silent Auction
• Andy Everson's estuary artwork"Stillness"

Downstairs (Lion's Den)

• A "taste of the estuary" including Hollie Wood Oysters, 40 Knot winery, smoked salmon and Natural Pastures cheese.
• A Live Auction of 5 jury selected art submissions from this year's campaign
• A Presentation on Project Watershed's estuary projects
• Keeping It Living limited edition print sales

Tickets to the gala are available for $20 online at www.keepingitliving.ca, at the Pearl Ellis Gallery, and the Comox Valley Art Gallery. Your ticket will enter you for door prizes including an Andy Everson limited edition print, a gift certificate to Yiamas Greek Restaurant and wine from 40 Knots vineyards.

Project Watershed is a small non profit but with community support they have achieved much success and have ambitious plans for the future. Initiatives for protecting and restoring the K'ómoks Estuary include:

• Working on internationally important Blue Carbon research
• Planting salt marsh and eelgrass to mitigate climate change
• Modifying the Airpark lagoon to be better habitat
• Supporting local archeologists in groundbreaking research
• Preparing to make a bid for National Historic Status
• Working towards the purchase and restoration of the Fields Saw Mill property

There will be many ways to donate to Project Watershed's efforts to restore the "salmon highway" and reduce effects of global warming at the Gala evening including: becoming a member or volunteer, buying art cards, prints or posters, bidding on the Silent Auction artwork or the Live Juried Auction as well as making a donation and becoming informed.

For More Information: Visit www.projectwatershed.ca or www.keepingitliving.ca.
The site is receiving more art and is being updated until April 30/2015
To BID on any artwork you may register and bid at the sites provided.