CVCAS Celebrates with 20/20 Vision

There’s two really big events to celebrate as we roll into the second half of summer.

First, the COVID Era is loosening its grip on communities as more people get vaccinated, which means live events can be planned, and as of this writing, are already taking place in the Chemainus Valley (toes and fingers crossed).

Second – and it seems a remarkable coincidence – the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society is celebrating its 20th year of bringing communities together through the arts. July 31, 2001 was the day it officially became a society, and set out on its mission to encourage creativity in the region.

How are those two news bytes connected? Hard as the COVID Era has been, it’s also challenged community organizations like the CVCAS to believe in their mission, innovate, and continue bringing programs and services to audiences.

The arts remained an important counterweight to struggles people in the Chemainus Valley have faced over the past yearand-a-half; the CVCAS has emerged stronger and more committed than ever to celebrating the joys creative energy brings through good times and bad.

So over the coming months we’re going to look both ways – into the past and into the future – as we cross the divide. We’re going to Celebrate 20/20 Vision, 2001 to 2021 and Beyond, and we hope you’ll join us.

To get a perspective on the future, we have to look to our origins. So we’ll be posting short conversations with some of the founders and main supporters of the CVCAS. Their spirit lives on in CVCAS’s mandate, and sharing their anecdotes gives us a chance to acknowledge their contributions, rededicate to our mission, and have a few laughs along the way.

Our 20th is also an opportunity to invite people to join the CVCAS, bringing fresh perspectives and renewed energy into the fold. The volunteers who make the arts happen in the Chemainus Valley are young at heart – the camaraderie and focus of their shared dedication to the arts helps keep them that way! But, like most community organizations, the CVCAS needs to broaden its base by engaging younger members in particular.

So you are invited to Celebrate 20/20 Vision with the CVCAS. Final arrangements are still in the works, but we’re hoping to mark the occasion with entertainment, applause, and cake! Stay tuned to CVCAS.ca for future announcements, or follow Facebook.com/ CVCAS.

CraigSpencerWriter.ca