Acres of Dreams is a travelling exhibititon produced by the Canadian Museum of Civilization in collaboration with the Library and Archives Canada. The exhibit is on display now at the Nanaimo Museum in the Vancouver Island Conference Centre on Commercial Street.  It was developed to mark the centennials of Saskatchewan and Alberta, both of which gained provincial status in 1905 thanks largely to the people and events depicted in this exhibit. 

Between 1896 and the outbreak of the Great War in 1914, about two million settlers from Europe and the United States poured into the Canadian Prairies in the greatest single wave of immigration in Canada’s history. 

Acres of Dreams: Settling the Canadian Prairies revisits the unprecedented marketing campaign led by the federal government that lured immigrants into Western Canada.  It also examines the origins, motivations, and experiences of the settlers who forever changed the prairie landscape and played an essential role in building Canada.

The exhibition highlights the dazzling array of posters, pamphlets, slogans, contest, travelling dispays, and lecture tours used in the marketing campaign led by the government, railway companies, steamship lines, and other business interests.  The invitation to settle the Canadian Prairies – touted with slogans such as “Free Farms for the Millions,” “The Land of Opportunity,” and “The Last Best West” – embraced by individuals and families from as far away as Russia.

An afternoon not to be missed.  This celebrated Elder of the Snunéymuxw First Nation began writing books for children in 1981. Her latest book, Legends and Teachings of Xeel’s The Creator is her first book for teens and adults. She started writing this book at age 74 and spent 10 years on the project.

When: Saturday, June 26, 2010 – 1:00 to 3:00pm – donation
Where: Nanaimo Museum on Commercial Street

As well as being an author, Ellen is a skilled teacher, story-teller and medicine woman. She was Elder in Residence at the University of Vancouver Island for a number of years. She promotes and enjoys sharing her knowledge of the Snunéymuxw history. During this presentation Ellen will speak about the culture of her people using traditional methods of story and song. Admission is by donation and refreshments will be available.

Wonders of the Night Sky
When: Saturday, June 19, 2010 – 10:00am to 4:30pm – donation
Where: The Nanaimo Museum

There will be five video presentations from guest speakers from the Nanaimo Astronomy Club.  Telescope displays and a video projector using a 3D dome screen showing planets and the moon will be some of the highlights.  There will also be a display showing meteorites and moon dust from the Apollo missions, stickers, pictures and posters from the Canadian Space Agency.  Speakers include: Greg Arkos, Gail Conway, Pal Virag, William Weller and Rich Fortier.

“Through A Child’s Eyes”, is a Nanaimo Museum Photography Contest for students, ages 8 to 16.    Submit an 8″x10″, colour or black and white, unmounted photograph on one of the following themes:  The Bastion, Anything Coal Mining or Use Your Imagination.  Applications are  available now at the Nanaimo Museum on Commercial Street.  Contest deadline is 5:00pm, Saturday, July 24 and the winners of this contest will be announced during the museum’s ChowderFest on Saturday, August 7th.

The Nanaimo Museum needs volunteers to help fire the noon cannon downtown at the Pioneer Waterfront Plaza.  All training is provided.  Call Arvon Brunt at 250-753-1821 or visit Nanaimo Museum website.

Lama Tsundu from Tibet is creating a sand mandala which is an exacting and intensely artistic process. Special sands are brought from India and then hand colored ‐ every detail has a spiritual significance for the monks of Tibet.

The Green Tarra Sand Mandala is under construction right now:
Daily Viewing at the Nanaimo Museum Lobby;
Each day begins at 10:00 am with a 20 minute meditation session
Tuesday, May 25th ‐ Saturday, May 29th
10:00 am ‐ 5:00 pm ‐ creation of the mandala
Sunday, May 30th
10:00 am ‐ 2:00 pm ‐ creation of the mandala
Destruction of the mandala and procession to the harbour Sunday, May 30, 2010 at 2:00 pm

Jessica Sandy is VIU student working on her BA honours research project.  Her project involves piecing together the names and stories of the over 100 names on the Nanaimo Cenotaph First World War section.   The problem is finding out what happened to these soldiers who served the country.  Sandy is looking for your letters or pictures and other memorabilia which can be recorded and documented for historical records.  For more information visit Canadian Letters and Images Project or contact Nanaimo Museum

Le Bateau by Sarah Nind

The Painted Photograph show is on until May 10th featuring three artists’ works who have painted over black and white photos.  Here is an excerpt describing  Sarah’s work ……”the works are dark yet vivid at the same time. Oil paint lusciously tints the once black and white photographic background; the technique is reminiscent of turn of the century hand-tinted daguerreotypes, vibrant yet obviously not original color.  The color adds a strange flavor to the photos, converting the serene images”….  Sounds like an interesting first show for the Nanaimo Museum,  hope to have a chance to stop by.