A five-year old collaboration between two very different Metchosin organizations—the Metchosin ArtPod and the Metchosin Foundation—has produced a new fusion of nature and art: a set of Insect Art Cards.
The first two years of BC Art Nature Card projects merged the artistic talents of 72 Vancouver Island and area artists under the coordination of Memet Burnett at Metchosin ArtPod, the scientific enthusiasm and financial support of the Metchosin Foundation, and the avian knowledge of naturalists at the Rocky Point Bird Observatory under the supervision of birder extraordinaire Ann Nightingale. The result was two sets of popular Bird Art Cards. In 2022, the bird sets were joined by a deck of Mushroom Art Cards.Thirty-six different artists participated in that project.
After a year’s hiatus and with the prodding of a batch of artists keen to take on yet another kingdom, insects became the focus for 2024. This new art card project tapped into the expertise of Claudia Copley, Entomology Collections Manager and Researcher at the Royal BC Museum. The texts provided by Claudia for the back sides of the cards are fascinating and informative. Flip the cards over and you will see the gorgeous work of 36 local artists who donated images of their artwork for this fundraiser.
The launch party for BC Art Nature Cards 2024: INSECT Deck happened on National Insect Appreciation Day, 8 June, at Bilston Farm, 4185 Metchosin Road, between 1-3 pm. Many of the artists and people from the general public attended. The people who came joined in an insect “hunt” for the images in the set that had been posted around the grounds. Claudia and Darren Copley took people around the grounds for a look at live insects. Neville Winchester brought display posters about Metchosin’s five-year insect study with Malaise Traps.
The Insect Art Card launch was helped by a kind and timely grant from the West Shore Arts Council.
