Visual artists display their work at the Exhibition Hall at Beban Park's Social Centre.

Demonstrate your artistic talents on Sunday, February 12, as you collaborate with two local artists to produce a painting on that day.

We invite artists to exhibit their work during the Festival. For more information, contact Sylvie Lamoureux

Majie Lavergne, Nanaimo

Majie Lavergne is an abstract painter (acrylic) from Nanaimo. Born in Paris, he has resided in Nanaimo for six years. The abstract art movement that evolved in Paris after the War has strongly influenced his painting style. Because Majie's painting implies form, it engages the viewer's imagination immediately. His works have been exhbited in Paris, in the South Hamptons in the New York State and in numerous art galleries in British Columbia.

Majie Lavergne's Website

Johanne Galipeau, Nanaimo

I grew up in Quebec's Eastern Townships et I have been living on Canada's West Coast for more than 20 years. I have studied both visual and graphic arts, but over the years, I have worked and travelled throughout Canada with numerous children's theatre companies and a theatre that featured giant puppets. I have written, illustrated, and published three children's books, under the title of Un oiseau, une lune et un piano (A bird, A Moon and A Blue Piano), published by Éditions Guérin.

As a multimedia artist, I enjoy all art discplines. However, painting remains my preferred art form. I am fascinated by the creative process and the way in which images manifest themselves on canvas intuitively and with playing with colour, light and textures. I am always motivated and inspired to create good paintings.

My paintings can be found in various private collections in England, Canada (including Quebec), the United States, France, and Spain.

Catherine Williams, Nanaimo

Catherine Williams has worked with mosaics for many years and has recently begun to work with stained glass. She especially enjoys working with colour and the pieces of glass to create unique works. She is noted for mosaic murals, mirrors, and paintings.

Since Catherine is an environmentalist, many of her works feature carefully chosen re-used pieces of glass. Catherine shares her time as well with four sons, gardening, and creative design.

Derrill Shuttleworth, Gabriola Island

Derrill paints, sketches, and illustrates using watercolour, acrylic, pen and ink. His works comprise landscapes, portraits, life drawing, and architectural illustration. Derrill  never forgets to have fun sketching and painting in life drawing sessions, cafés, clubs and in the great outdoors (often using house beer or ocean water as his medium). He is always on the lookout for the special instant that defines the moment.

Derrill Shuttleworth's Website

Janet McDonald, Nanaimo

Now based in Nanaimo, Janet McDonald was born and raised in Montreal. She has been part-time artisan for most of her life with her interests ranging from stained glass jewellery, mosaics and decoupage, to glass painting. It was not until 2009, after being inspired by an artist on Hornby Island, that Janet tried painting (in acrylics) and fell in love. Her passion for colour and light shine through her work, in addition to a splash of a soul and a wisp of whimsy. The natural world will provide this emerging artist with a lifetime of inspiration.

Carla Stein's Website

Carla Stein, Nanaimo

"I gravitate towards acrylics, water-based oils, or watercolors because they lend themselves to a variety of applications including brushwork, palette knife, wiping, and glazing. I have recently started working with pastels and mixed media. Regardless of the medium, I often find my hands and clothing as colorful as the piece I am creating! My intent is to develop a feeling of fluidity within form, deep color and varied textures, all serving to elicit an emotional response."

Carla was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois, but has made her home in Canada since 1975. She currently lives in Nanaimo, British Columbia. Carla received a Diploma in Fine Arts from Fanshawe College in London, Ontario. Her work has been exhibited in a wide range of Canadian galleries and shows. Both originals and prints are held in private collections.