Seeing and Being Seen, the Mental Health Group Show, will be on exhibit at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre from Sept. 14 to Oct. 16. Four years ago the SC Mental Health and Addictions Services held a highly successful exhibit at the Arts Centre. They recorded many positive results including, “connecting clients living in mental health facilities with an activity in the community, bringing attention to mental health issues and work on reducing the stigma against mental illness, and demonstrating the philosophy that art is for everyone.”
They’re doing it again. They’ve brought together mental health staff and clients from all of their programs and hosted three workshops facilitated by local artists in the community. The result is the show, Seeing and Being Seen. The opening reception, Wednesday, Sept. 14 from 7 to 9 p.m., will feature live music and an interactive exercise led by Chad Hershler of Deer Crossing the Art Farm. The Arts Centre at 5714 Medusa (at Trail) in Sechelt has gallery hours of Wednesday to Saturday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. See www.sunshinecoastartscouncil.com
Coffee House
This Friday, Sept. 9, the School of Music Coffee House in Madeira Park will be another evening of great entertainment. The line-up is: Edmund Arceo, tenor-folk, pop songs; Mark Brezer, popular local singer/guitarist; Geue Boys, youth pianists (Brison, Ethan, Caleb); Spirit Singers, Harbour Gospel Group. Coffee and goodies will be sold. It’s a $10 suggested donation at the door of the School of Music. Doors open 7 p.m.; music at 7:30. To perform or for information, call 604-883-9749 or see www.penderharbourmusic.ca
Playback
On Saturday, Sept. 10 those groovy rockers, Playback, return to the Gibsons Legion to play more tunes from the ’60s and ’70s. Starts at 8 p.m. Members: $5; guests with members $10.
Plein Air
Artist Jan Poynter writes that as part of the International Plein Air Painters (IPAP) worldwide, Paint Out Artists are welcome to gather Sept. 10 and 11 and enjoy painting outdoors together in Gibsons Landing again this year. Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 10 and 11, meet up at 10 a.m. and at 1 p.m. at the Visitor Info Centre (across from Molly’s Reach). This is a very informal meet-up – there will not be any hosted event, exhibition or activities this year as in the past. No fee, registration or sign up – just show up.
Films for fall
The Sunshine Coast Film Society opens their season with a highly rated comedy/drama, Last Cab to Darwin, on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. at the Raven’s Cry Theatre in Sechelt, and on Monday, Sept. 12 at 7:30 p.m. at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons. Rex, a charming cab driver with terminal cancer, decides to make a solo 3,000 km journey to Darwin through the Australian outback. The painful reality of facing certain death brings anger, withdrawal and isolation, but Rex soon discovers that sharing all of that is what it means to be alive. If you buy the 2016/17 membership for $20, it will cost you $5 to attend each film. Or, if you become a Friend of the Film Society for $99, you have free admission to all films until Aug. 31, 2017. You can purchase online via PayPal gateway (www.scfs.ca) or at the door.
Forst pottery classes
Learn how to centre clay and make vessels such as mugs and bowls, how to trim them and attach handles. Pat Forst leads students at her spacious studio in Gibsons. They are suitable for beginner and intermediate students. Classes are Mondays, Sept. 12 to Oct. 17, 10 a.m. to noon or 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The fee is $225 plus materials. To register call 604-840-0304 or email [email protected]
Goldmoss show
Goldmoss Satellite opens a new show at 1338 Franklin St. (Callister Brewing) in Vancouver on Sept. 10 with a reception from 6 to 9 p.m. There are seven artists involved, most connected with the Sunshine Coast, including Goldmoss owners and artists Lee and Bon Roberts. Show runs until Nov. 10. See more at Goldmoss.com
Singers wanted
If you are a woman who loves to sing, Arbutus Sounds Chorus wants to meet you. Arbutus Sounds Chorus is having an Open House on Tuesday, Sept. 13 at Roberts Creek Community School at 7:30 p.m., and they invite you to come out and see what they are all about. The Chorus is a chapter of Sweet Adelines International, a worldwide organization of women devoted to the joy of singing four-part, a cappella harmony in barbershop style. For more information, call Jean at 604-886-3298 or see arbutussounds.org
God at Creative
Creative in the Creek is on Thursday, Sept. 15 at 7:30 p.m., (doors open 7) at the Gumboot Café in Roberts Creek. Donations accepted at the door. God put in an appearance at the last Creative in the Creek, and host David Roche writes: “Turns out God will be staying in Roberts Creek until the U.S. election is over and has agreed to show up again.” Jane Covernton reads poetry about welcoming new people into the Creek (which makes God feel welcome). And they offer an open mic, especially for those who are shy creatives. You will have an incredibly welcoming audience of friends and neighbours. As always, a feast of community creativity.
NFB night
In conjunction with Sunshine Coast Welcoming Communities, Gibsons Public Art Gallery presents National Film Board film night on the third Thursday of every month, starting Thursday, Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. Snacks and discussion will follow the film. For further information, call Pat at 604-886-0531 or 604-886-3266 or Maria at 604-865-0170.
Cookie week
In support of The Nutcracker ballet as performed by the Coasting Along Theatre Society, this year’s Tim Hortons Smile Cookie Campaign will be donating 100 per cent of the proceeds to The Nutcracker ballet 2016. Smile Cookies are an extra-large, melt-in-your-mouth, chocolate chip cookie with bright smiley face icing. You can pre-order cookies to be delivered between Sept. 12 and 18. Just send an email to [email protected], saying how many dozen and when you would like them delivered, with cash or cheque made payable to Coasting Along Theatre Society (CATS). For more information, see www.CoastingAlongTheatre.org or call 604-989-6050.
Noon deadline
Send your notice of arts events by Tuesday at noon for Friday’s newspaper to [email protected] or phone 604-886-4692. Please include a contact person’s phone number or email in your notice.
