Lobby Art Gallery
Recognition & Recollection: an intersection of art & mental health
Opening Reception on Jan. 8 from 1–3 PM
Artists know how important creativity is for well-being. The subjective human experience is made universal through the creation of art, for both its maker and the viewers who perceive it. Visual art, music, film, literature, and theatre help us connect and understand each other.
Art is also calming for an anxious society. Studies show that just 45 minutes of creating or engaging with art helps improve mood and well-being by increasing the happiness hormone serotonin and decreasing the stress hormone cortisol. Socializing around artistic activities also fosters social connections, such as going to a workshop, attending a concert, or visiting a gallery. Evoking curiosity increases our empathy.
Luckily, this role of art is deeply appreciated in the Cowichan Region through our five arts councils. These nonprofit organizations facilitate an abundance of creativity in our communities through their galleries, workshops, creative spaces, and performing arts events.
The councils advocate for a deeper awareness of the role of art in a healthy, considerate, and empathetic community. In partnership with the CVRD Arts & Culture Division, they conceived a joint art show to highlight this power of art. The collaborative visual art exhibition offers reflection on the impact of art on our collective well-being.
Recognition & Recollection: An intersection of art and mental health runs for the months of January and February at the CPAC 3rd Floor Gallery. This exhibit of local artists’ work explores themes of memory, consciousness, and the Self. Works that draw on complex social issues and forms of cognitive decline are also presented.
All featured artists are members of at least one of the regional arts councils:
- Cowichan Valley Arts Council
- Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society
- Cowichan Lake Arts & Culture Society
- Cowichan South Arts Guild
- Arts Council of Ladysmith & District
About the Lobby Art Gallery
The 3rd Floor Gallery is located in the large lobby of the Cowichan Performing Arts Centre. It hosts five visual art exhibitions per year and is closed over July and August. The gallery space showcases a breadth of creativity and artistic development, featuring artists who live in the Cowichan Region. The exhibits are seen by the 4,000+ patrons who visit the CPAC theatre every month. Private viewings of exhibits can be arranged by contacting [email protected].
The 3rd Floor Gallery is free for local artists to exhibit their work, either in solo shows or group efforts. Shows are selected by gallery staff to complement the theatre performance season and ensure a varied selection of artistic expression.
Exhibits run between 6 and 8 weeks in duration and are booked well in advance. Artists are fully responsible for installation and takedown of their exhibits. Works must be displayed on the professional gallery hanging system, with limited space for select sculptural works.
Are you a local artist or artistic group looking to showcase your work?
The Cowichan Performing Arts Centre is committed to celebrating the diversity and imagination of local artists. We encourage applications from individuals who identify as part of an equity-deserving group, including Indigenous Peoples, 2SLGBTQ+ folks, newcomers to Canada, and persons with disabilities. Application assistance is available for those who request it.
To learn more about how to apply, please review the Exhibition & Application Guidelines below.
2025 Exhibition Application Guidelines [pdf]