The Cowichan Lake Arts Centre Celebrates Its First Year Anniversary
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The Cowichan Lake Arts Centre (CLAC) is a vibrant hub of creativity located in Youbou, on the shores of Cowichan Lake. As an artist-cooperative, the centre is committed to supporting local artists and ensuring that the majority of the sales go back into their hands. The centre has been a labour of love for its members, who have worked tirelessly to bring their vision to life. The centre serves the Cowichan Lake area, Nitinat, Honeymoon Bay, Mesachie, Skutz Falls, and Lake Cowichan, providing a creative space for artists to showcase their work and connect with the local community. CLAC is a place where artists can come together, share their ideas, and learn from each other. Whether you are a seasoned artist or just beginning, CLAC welcomes all to their diverse and creative environment. As an artist-cooperative, CLAC is committed to supporting local artists and ensuring that the majority of the sales go back into their hands. By doing so, the centre is helping to preserve the local art scene and promote the work of talented artists in the area. The centre’s members are passionate about their craft, and their dedication to their art is evident in the beautiful works of art that they create. CLAC has been a huge success since its official soft opening on April 27, 2024.
“We celebrated our one-year anniversary of signing the lease during our AGM in February,” said CLAC president Loretta Puckrin. “It was a short AGM and a wonderful party. Having a fixed base for our members and workshops has been a goal for most of our existence and it is, although a lot of work still, a wonderful feeling of accomplishment.”
The centre features an art shop for local creators, an open studio where artists can create for free, and a venue for art exhibitions and music performances.
CLAC offers a wide variety of reasonably priced workshops that cover a range of disciplines while catering to all skill levels
The centre is also a great place to show the creative works of students at Lake Cowichan Secondary
CLAC has been well-received by the Youbou community, especially
CLAC, which is located right next door to Arise Coffee Shop formerly known as Cassy’s Coffee House, has been a joy to visit. The centre’s members have put their heart and soul into creating a welcoming space for artists and visitors alike. As Loretta Puckrin, CLAC president, said, “It has also been a joy to see the vision of some of CLAC’s members come to life through the major changes that have been done to the store front since they first opened their doors around this time last year.”
The centre’s members have worked hard to create a space that is not only beautiful but also functional. From the open studio to the art shop, every detail has been carefully considered to create a welcoming and inspiring environment. As Loretta Puckrin, CLAC president, said, “When we first started we had no budget, and it was a struggle to ensure we had enough funds to guarantee our first year of rent. At the beginning, we repurposed display items which were donated and never thought about thinking of what we would like to have. Our objective was just to meet the targeted opening date. As we gained experience and had some time operating the facility, we had time to think.
