Lobby Art Gallery

Todd McAneeley & Angel Ariel

March 6 – April 27, 2026

About Todd McAneeley:
Todd was always interested in working with wood. He finally got serious about it in 1996 when he took a benchwork joinery course in Duncan, BC. Just a few years after he finished the course, Todd opened a furniture making business and it involved custom furniture and kitchens, mostly in the Cowichan Valley. He did that for ten years and not long after, in 2011, he began working for Live Edge Design until 2025. In 2014, he began carving wildlife. He continues to create wildlife sculptures because of his love of nature. Todd has received a first-place award and a second-place award from international online art contests in his recent endeavors. Todd has a studio with his wood art on display that is available to check out with a scheduled appointment.

About Angel Ariel:
After moving from Cuba to Canada in 2002, Angel Ariel spent many years performing magic shows with his wife aboard cruise ships worldwide. In 2020, his creative focus shifted from stage to studio, where he began carving expressive faces from wood. Working primarily with cottonwood bark and driftwood, his sculptures embrace the natural textures, cracks, and imperfections of each piece, allowing the character within the wood to guide the final form. Each carving reflects a lifelong devotion to storytelling, transformation, and human expression.

This exhibit is called, Green Men and Wood Spirits. Wood Spirits are thought to protect travellers and are often carved into walking sticks. The Wood Spirit is a European legend originating from villagers who made long journeys through the forest. On calm days when the wind lays low, there is a sense of peace and tranquility in the forest. The Green Man is a mysterious, ancient figure appearing as a male face made of or surrounded by leaves, symbolizing nature, rebirth, and the cycle of growth.

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.