Comox Valley Art Gallery

Comox Valley Art Gallery CVAG is a public art gallery featuring contemporary, experimental and applied art.

The COMOX VALLEY ART GALLERY was established by a group of artists as the Central Island Arts Alliance, under the umbrella of the Comox Valley Community Arts Council . CIAA achieved British Columbia society status and federal charitable organization status in 1974. From its inception, it has been recognized by the Cultural Services Branch of the Province of BC with grant fundi

ng to support operations. One of the first art centres located outside Vancouver and Victoria, the CIAA held visual art exhibitions, operated a co-operative shop featuring local crafts, and organized and promoted performance arts and festivals. The Renaissance Faire, an annual arts and entertainment fair, was the major fundraising activity supporting the operations of the CIAA. In 1997, the Board of Directors moved to change the name to COMOX VALLEY ART GALLERY to more properly reflect the core business - that is visual art exhibition programming. The Gallery Shop continues to promote regional arts and raise funds for the Gallery. May 2005 saw the realization of a long term plan by the Board of Directors for COMOX VALLEY ART GALLERY - relocation to a new venue in a municipally owned building - the former Courtenay Fire Hall. The Gallery occupies the main floor and lower level of the new Comox Valley Centre for the Arts. This building provides four exhibition galleries and, for the first time, workshop space for educational programming and an environmentally secure archive room. With its award winning design and higher profile location, CVAG attracts attention to downtown Courtenay and the Comox Valley . This has been a boon to the Gallery and the Gallery Shop, attracting a broader audience and interest in visual art. The new building - Comox Valley Centre for the Arts - brings together a number of arts organizations under roof - with the intention that these groups will be able to work together more closely and build on each others successes.

Artist Tricia Wasney will lead participants in a workshop to create Memorial Medals to honour an important person, anima...
09/02/2026

Artist Tricia Wasney will lead participants in a workshop to create Memorial Medals to honour an important person, animal or event. This is a contemporary take on the Victorian practice of mourning jewellery where items of the deceased, usually hair, were fashioned into wearable jewellery.

In her upcoming exhibition 'The things that hold us', Wasney has included twelve medals made to honour loved ones who have died.

The free workshop will be held the morning that the exhibition opens: Saturday, September 19, from 11am - 12:30pm.

Participants need to bring a personal item to include in their pin. Keep in mind these are small, delicate objects — so choose personal items accordingly!

This activity is best suited for individuals aged 10 and older.

Spaces are limited! To sign up, email [email protected].

Learn more: https://www.comoxvalleyartgallery.com/events/memorial-medals-artist-facilitated-make-art-workshop/.

Please note: CVAG exhibition spaces are temporarily closed for install until our next exhibition — 'The things that hold...
09/02/2026

Please note: CVAG exhibition spaces are temporarily closed for install until our next exhibition — 'The things that hold us' by Tricia Wasney — opens on Saturday, September 19. Doors will open at 10am to view the new artwork, and an artist talk will be held at 1pm that day.

In the meantime, CVAG’s curated gift shop, Shop⋮Made, will remain open from 10am - 5pm, Wednesdays – Saturdays.

Learn more: https://www.comoxvalleyartgallery.com/exhibitions/the-things-that-hold-us/.

Having artist Michael Campbell with us was the perfect way to conclude our summer programming at the Comox Valley Art Ga...
09/02/2026

Having artist Michael Campbell with us was the perfect way to conclude our summer programming at the Comox Valley Art Gallery, which revolved around his exhibition 'Field Recordings of Icebergs Melting'.

Following words from Elder Barb Whyte, CVAG executive director Glen Sanford, and CVAG director of curatorial programming Denise Lawson, Michael gave a talk about his art practice and answered lots of great audience questions.

Thank you all for coming to see the show this summer!

Image credit: Gabriella Wong Hernandez.

Comox Valley Arts made a lovely post acknowledging the many individuals involved in making Pulse on the Plaza - Pride Pa...
08/31/2026

Comox Valley Arts made a lovely post acknowledging the many individuals involved in making Pulse on the Plaza - Pride Party the success that it was (read it below).

Jennifer Casey and her team at CV/Arts also deserve a shout-out! The local arts council took the reins of organizing Pulse this year, and we couldn't be more appreciative of their effort and contributions to our arts community.

There were so many memorable moments from Pulse on the Plaza - Pride Party on Friday!This was by far the biggest Pulse e...
08/30/2026

There were so many memorable moments from Pulse on the Plaza - Pride Party on Friday!

This was by far the biggest Pulse event that Comox Valley Arts, Q***r Centre Comox Valley, Elevate The Arts, Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association, and the gallery have organized together yet — and our biggest turnout! There was something for everyone to enjoy, with punk energy and family-friendly fun combined into one amazing night of music, art, and community unity.

Thank you to our many talented performers, engaging artists and facilitators, and food and drink vendors. And thanks to Comox Valley Community Foundation, City of Courtenay, Catherine Worthy - Oakwyn Realty Ltd., Comox Valley Airport (YQQ), Comox United Church's Affirming Ministry, Comox Valley Unitarians, and The Old House Hotel for their support.

Image credit: Kat Catchpole.

Reminder: Michael Campbell's Artist Talk starts soon! At 3pm this afternoon, Michael will be at the gallery to speak and...
08/29/2026

Reminder: Michael Campbell's Artist Talk starts soon!

At 3pm this afternoon, Michael will be at the gallery to speak and answer questions about his creative process, the inspiration for his artwork, and his journey as an artist. This is also your last chance to see his exhibition, containing uniquely imagined ships and landscapes that straddle utopian and dystopian worlds.

Learn more: https://www.comoxvalleyartgallery.com/events/field-recordings-of-icebergs-melting-closing-day-artist-talk/.

The summer exhibition at the Comox Valley Art Gallery wraps up today (Saturday) with a special talk and Q&A with our exh...
08/29/2026

The summer exhibition at the Comox Valley Art Gallery wraps up today (Saturday) with a special talk and Q&A with our exhibiting artist!

Hornby Island's Michael Campbell will speak about his exhibition 'Field Recordings of Icebergs Melting' at 3pm, and the exhibition will close at 5pm.

Admission is free/by donation.

Please note: there will be a temporary closure of 5th Street and the 5th Street Bridge until approximately 1pm today. Plan ahead!

Learn more: https://www.comoxvalleyartgallery.com/events/field-recordings-of-icebergs-melting-closing-day-artist-talk/.

Following our fabulously fun Pride Party last night, Pride celebrations continue throughout the Comox Valley. Join the P...
08/29/2026

Following our fabulously fun Pride Party last night, Pride celebrations continue throughout the Comox Valley. Join the Pride Parade from 11:30am today!

Please note: until approximately 1pm, there will be road closures on 5th Street through Downtown Courtenay and across the 5th Street Bridge towards Lewis Park for the Parade.

Before or after, pop into the gallery for the final day of 'Field Recordings of Icebergs Melting'. Artist Michael Campbell will be here at 3pm for a free talk and Q&A about this exhibition.

Come see the 2026 Comox Valley Pride Parade!
We'll be marching down 5th street at 11:30-12:30, this Saturday.
🏳️‍🌈 Walk with us to Pride in the Park! 🏳️‍🌈

We had some crazy weather earlier, but it has cleared up and we've got a full crowd here now in Downtown Courtenay for P...
08/29/2026

We had some crazy weather earlier, but it has cleared up and we've got a full crowd here now in Downtown Courtenay for Pulse on the Plaza - Pride Party! Come join the fun — it's free!

Until 9:30pm tonight, you can find live musical performances, interactive art projects, food and drinks, and community on the street and plaza in front of the Comox Valley Art Gallery.

Stay tuned for more photos!

This event is co-organized by Comox Valley Arts, DCBIA, Elevate and Q***r Centre Comox Valley — with support from Comox Valley Community Foundation, City of Courtenay, Catherine Worthy - Oakwyn Realty Ltd, Comox Valley Airport (YQQ), Comox United Church's Affirming Ministry, Comox Valley Unitarians, and The Old House Hotel.

Image credit: Kat Catchpole.

Address

580 Duncan Avenue
Courtenay, BC
V9N2M7

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

+12503386211

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