Summer Newsletter
As summer settles into the Comox Valley, we hope you'll take time to enjoy all that is happening at the Pearl Ellis Gallery. This season brings new exhibitions, opportunities for artists, creative gatherings, and fresh work on display not only in our main gallery, but also in our Satellite Galleries and Spotlight on Craft. We look forward to welcoming you this summer.
Congratulations to Our 2026 Bursary Recipient!
We are delighted to announce that Graye Szilvassy, a recent graduate of G.P. Vanier Secondary School, has been awarded the 2026 Pearl Ellis Gallery Bursary. The $1,000 bursary supports an emerging artist from the Comox Valley who is pursuing post-secondary studies in the visual arts.
Graye has already made a remarkable contribution to our local arts community through exhibitions, mural projects, community publications, volunteer work, and professional creative collaborations. This fall, she begins the next chapter of her artistic journey at Concordia University in Montreal, where she will pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Arts.
In her application, Graye wrote about her desire to create art that helps people feel seen by exploring themes of identity, connection, and healing. We are proud to support such a talented and thoughtful emerging artist and look forward to following her artistic journey.
Please join us in congratulating Graye and wishing her every success as she begins this exciting new adventure!
Graye receiving the 2026 Pearl Ellis Gallery Bursary from Kelly Selden, Bursary Coordinator.
Audible Art
Occurs last Saturday of every month | 6:00–11:00 pm | Lion's Den
Join us for an evening of creativity and connection! Hosted by Nate Schmold in partnership with the Pearl Ellis Gallery, Audible Art transforms the Lion's Den into a cozy creative space with tables, atmospheric lighting, and ambient music designed to inspire.
Our next gathering is Saturday, July 25. Bring your laptop, sketchbook, knitting, painting, writing project—or simply come to spend time with other creative people.
Admission is $5 at the door, or free for Pearl Ellis Gallery members.
Current Exhibition: Shared Ground: Collaborative Art
There's still time to experience our current Themed Exhibition before it closes on July 18.
Shared Ground: Collaborative Art celebrates the creative possibilities that emerge when artists work together. In an art world often focused on individual expression, this exhibition highlights co-creation—artworks developed through genuine collaboration between two or more artists. The exhibition showcases shared vision, creative process, and collective authorship, offering visitors a fresh perspective on how artistic partnerships can produce something truly unique.
Coming Soon: Artist's Initiative Exhibition — Through Her Eyes
July 21 – August 5
Featuring the work of:
Lin Auerbach
Fernanda Gimenez
Judy Johnston
Cindy Powell
Wink Richardson
Iris Schurz
Laura Tait
Our next juried Artist's Initiative Exhibition, Through Her Eyes, invites viewers to explore the rich and diverse perspectives of seven accomplished women photographers. United by a common theme, each artist brings her own experiences, emotions, and artistic vision to the work, demonstrating how a single subject can be interpreted in countless ways.
This compelling exhibition celebrates the many ways personal perspective transforms everyday moments into extraordinary visual stories.
More to Discover
There's more to discover beyond our featured exhibitions. Be sure to explore Spotlight on Craft in the gallery and visit our Satellite Galleries at the Comox Public Library and Comox Valley Sports Centre to enjoy even more artwork by Pearl Ellis Gallery members.
Our next Spotlight on Craft exhibition runs July 21 to September 12 and features:
Thom Rypien – fused glass
Glenn Gustafson – woven wall hangings
Deborah Louise Kurtze – ceramics
Comox Public Library(on view until September 5)
Enjoy a beautiful collection of watercolour paintings by Teresa Hart.
Comox Community Centre (on view until September 6)
Across all seven display cases, artists Josh Klassen and Nate Schmold present Mind Meld: The Brainstorm, an exhibition of solo and collaborative painting. The show blends abstract expression, cartoon imagery, street-art energy, and experimental processes, bringing contemporary art into an accessible community setting.
Josh Klassen and Nate Schmold present Mind Meld
Calls for Submissions
Inspired by what you've seen? Here are two upcoming opportunities to exhibit your own work at the Pearl Ellis Gallery.
Members' Showcase: Abundance
Submissions are still being accepted for our next non-juried Members' Showcase, Abundance. The submission deadline is July 21, and the exhibition opens on August 18.
Members' Showcases are open to all current Pearl Ellis Gallery members and celebrate the creativity and diversity of our artistic community.
Giftables 2026
Our popular Giftables call for submissions is open until September 30.
This two-week holiday pop-up exhibition runs November 9–21 with extended gallery hours. It features a wonderful selection of locally handmade artwork and fine craft, all priced with holiday gift-giving in mind. It's one of our most popular annual events for both artists and shoppers.
New TV Display Thanks to a Generous Donation
You may have noticed the large-screen TV recently installed behind the front desk. This welcome addition was generously donated by Urban Systems and will help us share more information about our exhibitions, programs, artists, and upcoming events through a rotating slideshow.
Mounted on an extendable arm, the screen can also be positioned for artist talks, presentations, and future educational programming.
Our sincere thanks to board member Roberto Binda, tireless volunteer Nate Schmold, and the wonderful team at Urban Systems for making this valuable addition possible.
Welcome, Leah Gies!
We're delighted to introduce Leah Gies, our new part-time Administrative Assistant.
Since joining the gallery at the beginning of June, Leah has already become an invaluable member of our team. Her work helps keep our exhibitions, programs, and day-to-day operations running smoothly, allowing us to continue expanding the opportunities we offer our members, artists, volunteers, and visitors.
Working alongside our dedicated Board of Directors and committed volunteers, Leah is helping us move our vision forward:
To be a dynamic and inclusive hub that inspires art lovers and nurtures creatives.
Every exhibition we present, every event we host, and every new initiative we undertake is made possible by the generosity, creativity, and dedication of our members, volunteers, staff, and supporters. Thank you for being an important part of the Pearl Ellis Gallery community.
We wish you a wonderful summer and hope to see you at the gallery soon!
