Welcome to Oceanside Arts Magazine — Issue 2

Welcome to Issue 2 of Oceanside Arts Magazine, published by the Oceanside Community Arts Council. With this second issue, the magazine continues to take shape as a space for artists, writers, and arts organizations to share work, ideas, and perspectives that reflect the richness of creative life in our region and beyond. 

At the centre of this issue is our feature artist, Yuan Wen, whose multidisciplinary practice spans printmaking, mixed media, and installation. Through an in-depth conversation and a selection of images, we explore her use of paper and bamboo, her interest in ritual and material process, and the ideas shaping her upcoming exhibition A Temporal Dimension at Visual Space in Vancouver. We are also pleased to feature Cherie Daly, a Toronto-based abstract painter whose bold, intuitive approach to painting emphasizes colour, movement, and emotional resonance.

A strong thread running through this issue is reflection on artistic practice—how it changes, deepens, and responds to lived experience. In Changing Direction, Cynthia Frenette shares a candid and insightful account of her creative evolution, tracing her path from graphic design and illustration into fine art and licensing. Her article speaks directly to the challenges many artists face: balancing personal satisfaction, financial realities, and the courage required to shift direction when something no longer feels right.

Issue 2 also brings together a range of contributing voices that expand the conversation outward. Brandy Saturley, in Beyond the Big Three, examines how regional and independent art communities are reshaping the Canadian art landscape. Terri Bowen continues her Travelling for Art’s Sake series with an art-focused journey through Munich, while other articles explore why studio tours matter, the value of hearing artists speak in their own words, and how storytelling and music keep cultural traditions alive.

From the wider arts community, this issue includes coverage of current exhibitions and initiatives, including Transcendent Thresholds at the Comox Valley Art Gallery and Bleached by the Sun: Perspectives on Chinatown, alongside curated Art Picks, arts news, and highlights from the McMillan Arts Centre. Together, these pieces reflect an arts ecosystem that is diverse, engaged, and deeply connected to place.

Issue 2 represents the growing network behind the magazine—artists, writers, curators, and volunteers who share their work and perspectives with openness and care. We hope these pages encourage curiosity, spark new connections, and invite you to stay engaged with the creative life of the Oceanside region and beyond.

— Brian Sutton
Editor, Oceanside Arts Magazine