October is the month of Halloween, Diwali and vibrant foliage, but it's also a fitting occasion to stop in at your local art gallery. Here are some indoor sights to see at the galleries during these cool fall days. UVic's Legacy Art Gallery downtown: two new exhibits til Dec. 6 | 630 Yates St. The Legacy Art Gallery is offering two new exhibitions: Salish Lines and nunuukwin (we sing): (re)connecting to the natural and spiritual worlds through song. Salish Lines is a selective retrospective of the art and life of STAUTW artist Doug LaFortune, curated by Dr. Andrea N. Walsh. A carver for more than 40 years, LaFortune has been commissioned for various totem pole projects, including his welcome figures that flank the entrance of First Peoples House at UVic. This exhibition will include an archive of drawings, inviting visitors to dive into decades of his work. Nunuukwin (we sing): (re)connecting to the natural and spiritual worlds through song is curated by hapinyuuk, Dr. Tommy Happynook of Huu-ay-aht First Nation and is based on his personal connections to his homelands and ancestors. It looks at nuucaanul songs as a way of creating and sharing knowledge and teachings, both between people and the natural and spiritual worlds. Madrona Gallery: Robert Amos - Painting Victoria | Oct. 11-25 | 606 View St. amos-oakbayavenue-14x215-wc [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/oakbay/2025-september/amos-oakbayavenue-14x215-wc.jpg;w=960] This painting of Oak Bay Avenue by Robert Amos is one from his newest publication, Painting Victoria, highlighted at Madrona Gallery in October. Madrona Gallery An exhibition of paintings showcasing Victoria over the years celebrates the launch of Robert Amos’ newest publication, Painting Victoria. Robert will be in the gallery for the opening reception, Oct. 11 from 1 to 3 p.m., to discuss the new book. Copies will be available for purchase throughout the exhibition. Visit madronagallery.com [https://www.madronagallery.com/] for more. The Avenue Gallery | 2184 Oak Bay Ave. This month, the gallery features the works of Mary-Jean Butler, Aileen Vantomme and Eunmi Conacher. ce108-memories-30-x-60-acrylic-on-panel-4900 [https://www.bpmcdn.com/f/files/oakbay/2025-september/ce108-memories-30-x-60-acrylic-on-panel-4900.jpg;w=960] Memories by Eunmi Conacher, 30 x 60 inches, acrylic on panel. Courtesy The Avenue Gallery Mary-Jean Butler's new oil paintings reflect the rugged landscape of B.C.'s coastline. Her education in both fine art and graphic design plays a strong role in the stylization of her work. Aileen Vantomme is a ceramic artist working in stoneware using coil and slab-built methods. Her latest work, 'Keepsakes', are stoneware vessels inspired by the natural beauty of discarded seashells. "Each piece features an irregular edge created from the coil-built process, a reminder of its handmade origin," Vantomme said. Her textures and forms are enhanced with custom-formulated stains and glazes, and are fired using both oxidation and pit-firing methods. Eunmi Conacher has a formal education spanning the globe: Hong-Ik University in Seoul, Korea, The University of Sydney, Australia, and Tsukuba University in Japan. Since immigrating to Canada over 25 years ago, Conacher has lived in Whistler, Nanaimo, and now calls Sooke home, drawing inspiration from the natural beauty of the Island. She is an associate member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and an elected member of The Society of Canadian Artists. "I describe myself as a contemporary, impressionist and expressionist artist," Conacher said. "My work is more an expression of the mood in the scene rather than a realistic picture of the scene. The result I strive for is a painting from the heart."
More
Less
