qMAS' New Assistant Curator: Ava Hansen

In April qMAS welcomed new Assistant Curator Ava Hansen. A little bit about Ava... she grew up in the town of Tofino and moved to Victoria to earn a Bachelor of Arts with a major in art history and visual studies and a minor in history, graduating in 2017. She completed her Professional Specialization Certificate in Visitor and Community Engagement in 2023 and is currently studying Cultural Resource Management through the University of Victoria. Prior to moving to Powell River, Ava and her partner Paul spent three seasons in the Kootenays and Rocky Mountains.

Ava has worked in a variety of institutions including the University of Victoria’s Legacy Art Galleries, the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies, and the Tofino Clayoquot Heritage Museum. She also has a background in kayak guiding and nature programming. She is especially passionate about public programming and looks forward developing a relationship with the community of Powell River and those in the qathet Region.

Other areas of particular interest that she brings to her work at the museum and wishes to expand upon are Indigenous history, history of the landscape, and oral histories. An avid hiker and kayaker, she is looking forward to exploring local trails, getting out on the water, and camping this summer.

The Sing Family - Article Sources

"New Steam Laundry", Powell River News Vol.2, April 11, 1929: Page 1.

"Local News", Powell River News Vol. 2, April 11, 1929: Page 4.

Powell River Digester 1941 Edition

"Work Started on New Store", Powell River News Vol. 9, July 30, 1936: Page 1.

"Sam Sing to Be Buried", Powell River News Vol. 10, January 1, 1937: Page 1.