Local Arts

It's a whale of a display. An eight-foot high fibreglass orca embellished by artist Sheila Williams in honour of the Vancouver Aquarium's late whale, Bjossa, has been dazzling Gibsons since its unveiling in Williams' front yard on April 17.

The Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 140, cordially invites the public to Expo of the Arts, the largest indoor, juried artist/artisan venue of its calibre, showcasing both local talent and a select few from off-Coast.

The Sunshine Coast music scene is particularly blessed with some very fine wind players, who will be showcased on Sunday, April 25, at Gibsons Heritage Playhouse at 7:30 p.m.

Pender Harbour artist June Malaka comes from a big family - 14 kids who grew up in Alberta. Art was part of their upbringing, she says. "There weren't a lot of resources; we'd sit around in the evening and draw," said Malaka.

Word of Mouth Productions forthcoming play, In Spite of the Booze, written and performed by the very talented Anne Marie Lindell and directed by Scott Harris, weaves music, dance, film and theatre into a study of a young, unmarried expectant mother's

Davis Bay potter Laurie Rolland is about to receive three letters after her name: R.C.A.-the mark of an artistic honour.

Working quietly in one's studio is not enough for six artists who belong to the Gibson's Landing Gallery Artists' Co-op.

Gibsons United Church is presenting fantasy theatre in a hilarious, upbeat comedy by John Patrick. Everybody Loves Opal runs from April 23 to 24 and May 7 to 8 with shows at 7:30 p.m. at the Gibsons United Church Hall on Trueman Road.

Spring is bustin' out all over the Coast, and nowhere is it more evident than in the many galleries where seasonally-themed shows have opened this week.

CBC calls him, "The best kept secret in the Canadian piano world." According to the Waterloo Chronicle, "Russian-born Alexander Tselyakov is Canada's new man at the top.