Arts Alive Opening Celebration
Arts of all kind in nature
Thursday
Jul 06, 2023
5:00pm
Venue McNeill Bay
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Arts Alive is Oak Bay Parks, Recreation and Culture’s annual public art program where sculptures are selected by a peer jury to be displayed for up to a year at outdoor sites in our municipality. They are on temporary loan by the artists who are sponsored by a local business or community group.
Each year, the Municipality of Oak Bay considers purchasing public art from the Arts Alive program to become part of its permanent public art collection. Between July and November 2023, the public is invited to vote for their favourite artwork. The 3 sculptures that received the most votes will be evaluated by the Arts Alive Jury to determine which artwork will earn the title of ‘People’s Choice,’. This sculpture will be among the sculptures considered for purchase.
The theme for Arts Alive 2023 is “What is Home.”
Join us at the Arts Alive Opening Celebration! Immerse yourself in a captivating fusion of art and music as Pacific Opera Victoria singers serenades each magnificent sculpture of 2023. Follow along on bike for a unique, rhythmic journey through the city or hop on our exciting tour to witness the enchantment unfold. Don’t miss out!
Mayor’s Welcome & Garden Reception: 7:25pm
Directly following the tour, mingle with the artists, sponsors and supporters who have made this program possible.
Accessibility options available. Please contact [email protected].
TOUR: 5:00–7:15pm
Geoff is a dancer, choreographer and teaching artist. Geoff has worked locally with Ballet Victoria (company member 2007-2013), Pacific Opera Victoria (supernumerary since 2007), Kaleidoscope Theatre for Young People, and on numerous independent projects. Currently a Teaching Artist for Pacific Opera Victoria, he creates and facilitates interactive programs which visit classrooms across the CRD, sharing the magic of the performing arts with students, educators, and newcomers of all ages.
Allison Ward is thrilled to be performing again in her beloved hometown. She has returned from Europe where she was accepted into one of Paris’ most prestigious conservatories before moving to Leipzig, Germany to continue her operatic studies. While in Europe, she performed La Contessa in Le nozze di Figaro in Luxembourg where she also won the Nei Stëmmen International Vocal Competition.
Allison holds an Opera Diploma from the Vancouver Academy of Music and a BFA in Theatre from the University of Victoria. She has been a member of Pacific Opera Victoria’s chorus for eight seasons and sung multiple comprimaria roles. She is also involved in the company’s community engagement program Opera Etc. and has brought opera to people at the Oak Bay Tea Party and Car Free Day YYJ, to volunteers at HeroWork, and to retirement homes through the Coloratura program.
Emerging Canadian soprano, Chelsea Kutyn, is excited to make two company debuts this season, first with Manitoba Opera in their Digital Emerging Artist Program, followed by her first appearance with the Regina Symphony Orchestra and her Messiah debut. Doing her best to follow the advice of mentor Ben Butterfield who said, “Don’t bore me!” Recently, Kutyn was a featured soloist with the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra (WSO), and debuted two roles; “Susannah” from Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro with Manitoba Underground Opera, and “Magda Sorel” in Menotti’s The Consul with Opera NUOVA.
“Kutyn was magnificent…capturing the full range of Magda’s anger, exasperation and ultimate despair chillingly…her depth of characterization and technical command owned the room”(Opera Canada). To add to the excitement, this year Chelsea completed her M.Mus and is getting married! Chelsea is the 2022 recipient of the John Mears Achievement in Music Award from ProArt Alliance, and winner of the Rose Bowl, George H. Price Memorial Scholarship, and WSO Community Concert Award from the Winnipeg Music Festival.
Canadian tenor Tim Carter is a graduate student in music at the University of Victoria. His debut performance with Pacific Opera Victoria is in the filmed production of Jake Heggie’s For a Look or a Touch. Having engaged in many new works and devised productions, Tim has a passion for showcasing modern narratives through the medium of opera. He believes that the strength of this genre lies in the ability to highlight modern issues through a sound world that evokes a passionate response from listeners.