After the votes were tallied, the winner of the People’s Choice Award at the annual Cowichan Valley Fine Arts Show was Never Give Up, Jordan Blackstone’s compelling painting of an eagle. Blackstone is a former architect who moved to Vancouver Island from the BC mainland in 2017. She is a wildlife photographer based in Qualicum Beach and she does some teaching online as well as working on wildlife tours out of Campbell River. For the award, she receives a gift certificate from Monk Office/Island Blue. In addition, CVAC jurors handed out six other awards.

There were many reasons to celebrate this year. The Cowichan Valley Fine Arts Show attendance was back to 2019 pre-COVID levels at close to 2,000 people, and there were many new art viewers online as well. If you missed the show in person, you can still see it online at https://cowichanvalleyartscouncil.ca/cowichan-valley-fine-arts-show-2022-gallery/

“Our annual fine arts show is an exceptional event that really touches people who are impressed with the variety and depth of talent as well as the wonderful curation in our great venue,” said President Janet Magdanz.