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I l o n a B e i k s , EDITOR When one tugs at a single thing in nature, he finds it attached to the rest of the world. - John Muir Art is an expression, a mirror of t h e p e o p l e w e are a n d t h e place w e live in. British C o l u m b i a , particularly the w e s t coast, is h o m e to a rich First Nations culture a n d art. Rich, because it reflected a n d respected the rich natural e n v i r o n m e n t that e n a b l e d a respected a n d revered art to thrive. W e s t coast First N a t i o n s art w a s n o t separate from the e n v i r o n m e n t , b u t o f t h e environment. Sadly, s o m e w h e r e a l o n g t h e way, modern civilization has d r a w n a line of s e p a r a t i o n , b e t w e e n culture, economy, spirit - a n d ultimately, perhaps most profoundly, nature. Recently, at t h e o p e n i n g t o t h e W o v e n Passages exhibit at Cityscape Gallery, I s a t next t o A u d r e y Rivers, w h o h a d given t h e m o v i n g o p e n i n g a n d c l o s i n g blessings. A s p e o p l e m o v e d a m o n g s t t h e artwork, she looked a r o u n d at t h e w o n d r o u s w e a v i n g s of 4 generations of First Nations w o m e n . Yes, she a c k n o w l e d g e d , t h e pieces w e r e extraordinary. C o m p l e x , simple a n d p o w e r f u l . " B u t w h a t I really w a n t e d to talk about w a s t h e C e d a r . . . " sighed Audrey. " W i t h o u t it, w e d o n ' t have any of this." A n d from that conversation, I m a d e a note t o write a n article about the importance of s a l m o n t o w h o w e are as a people in this place. Culturally, spiritually a n d economically. W h y a m I w r i t i n g a b o u t an e n v i r o n m e n t a l issue? Because it's not just an e n v i r o n m e n tal issue. In t h e year I w a s a w a y from t h e m a g a z i n e I learned that t h e s a l m o n crises, the decline of s a l m o n stocks, crosses t h e e c o n o m i c a n d e n v i r o n m e n t a l lines that have been d r a w n . Artists k n o w this. So I urge y o u t o participate in t w o exhibits this fall that s h o w c a s e s a l m o n . In September, t h e C o h o Society o f the North Shore is h o l d i n g a n u m b e r o f events to celebrate t h e miracle of s a l m o n Let's h o p e that ceramic fish aren't the only type that future generations experience. returning t o North Shore rivers a n d streams. A m o n g s t a variety of activities, there w i l l be a Visual A r t Exhibition of photos a n d other 2d i m e n s i o n a l art w o r k depicting s a l m o n or salmon-related activities a n d scenes o n streams a n d w a t e r w a y s (Park Royal S h o p p i n g M a l l , September 1 - 8). A t t h e Seymour A r t Gallery (Oct 10 - N o v 20) e x p e r i e n c e a multi-media installation by David Lam; The Last Cycle of the Salmon, is a c c o m p a n i e d w i t h special music t o underscore t h e w o r k a n d is highlighted w i t h 70 ceramic s a l m o n . Captivating Kids Crafts Capilano Mall and Lewiscraft are pleased to offer F R E E Kids Crafts. Your little ones will be captivated by the artistic adventures and our great projects are sure to keep them busy! Join us for great craft fun... always on the first Saturday of e a c h month! First Saturday of every month N o o n - 4 p m / in front of Lewiscraft kids crafts! C a p i l a n c r ' * ' / C u s t o m e r Service: 604-980-8561 M a l l 935 Marine Drive, North V a n c o u v e r 2 September | October