November 2025 OCAC Newsletter

A monthly publication celebrating the arts, creativity, and culture of the Oceanside region.

Welcome to the November 2025 OCAC Newsletter. As the year draws to a close, creativity continues to shine throughout our Oceanside arts community. This issue is full of inspiration, ideas, and opportunities to engage with the many artistic voices that make our region so vibrant.

We begin with a thoughtful interview with Parksville City Councillor Sylvia Martin, who shares insights on the role of arts and culture in local community life. Her perspective highlights how creative spaces contribute not just to personal expression but to the vitality of the whole region.

Our Travels to Paris feature takes us abroad with a local artist’s reflections on the timeless galleries and art-filled streets of Paris—a reminder of how travel renews creative energy and perspective. Closer to home, West Coast Painting explores how artists in our region capture the rugged beauty, light, and texture of Vancouver Island’s landscape.

Browsing the Web provides a curated list of online resources for artists, from virtual galleries to learning platforms—perfect for exploring new techniques or finding inspiration during quieter studio days. In Stress Be-Gone, we take a gentler turn, looking at how artmaking offers calm, balance, and emotional clarity in our busy lives.

Our Exhibitions section highlights new shows at the McMillan Arts Centre, the Bayside Gallery, and local studios, showcasing an exciting range of works by Oceanside artists. We also feature Creativity and Grief, an introspective piece about how art can help us navigate loss and transformation, turning emotion into meaning.

And with the holiday season just around the corner, there’s plenty to look forward to. Don’t miss Christmas FunFest, the UP! OCAC Members Exhibition, and the MAC Gift Shop’s Christmas FIZZ.

Wherever this season takes you—whether discovering art close to home or connecting with creative minds afar—we hope this issue offers a spark of inspiration and a reminder of the joy that creativity brings.

— Brian Sutton
communications@oceansideartscouncil.com