January Newsletter
Shapes & Lines: Heather MacDonald-Sorochan
Happy New Year! As we step into 2026, we’re looking ahead with optimism and enthusiasm. The coming year brings new exhibitions, fresh opportunities for artists, and meaningful moments of connection within our community. We’re delighted to share what’s on the horizon and to welcome you into another inspiring year at the Pearl Ellis Gallery.
Artist Initiatives for 2026
We are pleased to announce the jury results for our upcoming Artist Initiative exhibitions for 2026. The jury had the difficult task of selecting this lineup from a large number of strong submissions.
Our 2026 Artist Initiative exhibitions are:
February 3–28: The Flowing Movement of Birds — Solo exhibition by Tashi Draper
April 28–May 23: Embedded: material • place • presence — Duo exhibition featuring Lori Kenney and Dione Dolan
July 21–August 15: Through Her Eyes: Seven Women Photographers— Lin Auerbach, Fernanda Gimenez, Judy Johnston, Cindy Powell, Wink Richardson, Iris Schurz, Laura Tait.
October 13–November 7: In the Moment — New work by Jo C Willems, Kate Bridger, and Lynn Hood
Current Exhibition
On view in the gallery this month is the first of our themed exhibitions, Shapes and Lines. We invite you to take a break from your busy day and drop in to see how our creative community has interpreted this intriguing theme.
80th Anniversary of the Town of Comox
On Wednesday, January 14, 2026, the Town of Comox will mark its 80th anniversary with a Community Open House at the Comox Archives and Museum and the Pearl Ellis Gallery from 6:00–8:00 pm.
A highlight of the celebration is a special museum exhibition; 80 Years, a Comox Time Capsule, which will remain on display over the coming months. This exhibition offers a thoughtful look back at the people, stories, and moments that have shaped Comox, inviting visitors to reflect on the past while considering what we carry forward into the future.
We encourage you to stop by during the open house or return later to spend time with this meaningful exhibition.
Membership Renewal
Many of you are already taking advantage of our easy online membership renewal for 2026—thank you! Let’s keep the momentum going.
Whether you’ve been a long-time supporter of the gallery or are new to the area and curious about what we do, now is the perfect time to join or renew and stay connected with our vibrant artistic community.
2025 Member Survey
For those of you who have been involved with the gallery over the past year, we would love your feedback. Our short 2025 survey will remain open for your input until the end of January and will help inform our strategic planning.
Please take a few minutes to share your thoughts.
Closing
As we begin this new year, we are grateful for the creativity, generosity, and sense of community that continue to shape the Pearl Ellis Gallery. Thank you for your ongoing support—as artists, volunteers, members, and visitors. We look forward to another year of shared inspiration, connection, and discovery.
