West Coast Art Magazine
Oceanside Arts Issue 3 – A West Coast Art Magazine Rooted in Place
On the eastern shores of Vancouver Island lies Oceanside, a coastal region shaped by salt air, long horizons, and a pace of life that invites reflection. Encompassing the City of Parksville and the Town of Qualicum Beach, along with Nanoose Bay, Coombs, Errington, French Creek, Bowser, Deep Bay and Qualicum Bay, the region forms a vibrant cultural corridor within the Regional District of Nanaimo.
Oceanside has long attracted collectors, artists, and cultural patrons drawn to its luminous coastline and contemplative atmosphere. A remarkable concentration of creative talent has taken root here, supported by the dedicated advocacy of the Oceanside Arts Council. At its heart stands the McMillan Arts Centre, a historic schoolhouse transformed into a dynamic arts hub housing three galleries and educational space that fosters both emerging and established voices.
Now in its third issue, Oceanside Arts magazine reflects this thriving ecosystem. While grounded in regional programming and artists, its scope extends outward, connecting readers to art travel and cultural initiatives across Canada and beyond.
West Coast Art Magazine – Oceanside Arts
This issue highlights the practices of Elfrida Schragen, Kyle J. Bennett, Elspeth Pratt, and Sarah Beck, alongside thoughtful features on community engagement. Nazanin Shoja reflects on her 15-year involvement with BC Culture Days, and Diane Moran shares insights into Mindfulness in May, a youth exhibition in Qualicum Beach. Readers are also transported to Petra, Jordan, and invited into the Harvard Art Museums to explore the Forbes Pigment Collection, 2,500 historic pigments examined through an audio tour led by conservation experts.
For collectors, publications like Oceanside Arts offer more than coverage. They provide context. They trace the threads between artist, place, and patron, illuminating the cultural fabric that gives artwork lasting resonance.
On the West Coast, the tide carries more than water. It carries stories.
Oceanside Arts Magazine Issue 3
