One of OUR Ecovillage’s co-founders is returning to the land she helped build — and she’s bringing a room full of artists with her.
On Sunday, March 30th (10am–3pm), OUR Ecovillage is hosting the closing celebration of the Cowichan Valley Arts Council’s Cowichan Art Program for Seniors — a day-long excursion built around the theme of Many Hands.
That theme has deep roots here. Tlithl’Kawi (Rupert Scow), the Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw artist and carver whose vision catalyzed the Many Hands gallery exhibition at CVAC, calls OUR Ecovillage home. This excursion brings the conversation that began in the gallery back to the land where it lives.
Guests will be welcomed into Tlithl’Kawi’s workshop for tea, conversation, and teachings, followed by a celebration lunch. In the afternoon, OUR Executive Director Brandy Gallagher will share the vision and daily practices behind the Art of Community at OUR Ecovillage, with a guided tour of the land to close the day.
And woven through all of it — Elke Cole, co-founder of OUR Ecovillage, will be here. Many of the structures you walk through on the land exist because of her.
When: Sunday, March 30 · 10:00am – 3:00pm
Where: O.U.R. Ecovillage, Shawnigan Lake (meet on site; carpooling encouraged)
Cost: $15 (includes lunch)
Register through the Cowichan Valley Arts Council →
About Elke Cole
Elke Cole is a designer, builder, and educator specializing in natural building, with projects in Africa, India, Costa Rica, and beyond. She is a co-founder of Cobworks and runs her design practice, Houses That Love You Back. She coordinated OUR Ecovillage’s natural building programs for many years and remains available for consultation and facilitation.
