Gifts of Artwork Enrich VIU Cowichan Campus

A donation of original art by BC artists to VIU Cowichan Campus was cause for celebration by (l-r) George Smyth, Justine Auben Drummond, Christiane Smyth, Dr. Ralph Nilson, Warren Weir, and (seated) Bruce Blyth.

May 13, 2015 - 3:00pm

Original art by talented BC artists will grace the walls of Vancouver Island University’s (VIU) Cowichan Campus, thanks to two generous donations.

Long-time Cowichan Valley resident and avid art collector and supporter Bruce Blyth has donated an original painting to VIU Cowichan Campus titled Howe Sound 2010, by Vancouver Island artist Peter Lawson.

Blyth regularly frequents exhibitions by the Cowichan Valley Art Council, and in 2010 purchased the painting he would eventually donate after he was struck by its beauty. Upon his 90th birthday last year, he decided to donate the painting to VIU Cowichan Campus.

VIU Cowichan also recently received a donation of a collection of First Nations prints from the Salish Weave Collection. Titled Box Sets I & II, the donation of 18 prints by Victoria residents Christiane and George Smyth represents work by seven different First Nations artists, six of whom reside on Vancouver Island.

The Smyths were encouraged to donate Box Set I & II by one of the artists represented in the collection, lessLIE (Leslie Robert Sam), a VIU alumnus. Box Set I & II is a collection of Coast Salish graphic art rendered through the serigraph, or silkscreen printing process. Artists represented in the collection are lessLIE, Andy Everson, Luke Marston, Susan Point, Dylan Thomas, Maynard Johnny Jr. and Chris Paul.

Donors of the artworks were recognized in a special reception at VIU Cowichan Campus May 6.

At a special reception and unveiling of the donated artworks May 6, Cowichan Campus Academic Administrator Warren Weir recognized how the art donations enrich the campus.

“The Smyth’s Salish Weave donations represent the integral relationship VIU has with its Coast Salish First Nations partners, supporters, faculty, staff, and students,” Weir said. “The Blyth donation reinforces the essential connection VIU has with the West Coast in general, and Vancouver Island specifically.”

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