On Dec. 14th, the City of Port Alberni will be voting in a by-election for a candidate to sit on council. The candidates are as follows: Shinahkoh Couture, Debra Hamilton, Richard Huneault, Tom Verbrugge and Brennan Wauters. Note: Scott Lemkay has stepped down from the race and was removed from this article December 4, 2024.

We asked each candidate in email two important questions about their support and vision of arts and culture in Port Alberni. We would like to share their responses with our members and community at large, and we hope you take these responses into consideration when voting on December 14th.

Q1: “What is your perspective on the importance of arts and culture in Port Alberni?”

Shinahkoh Couture response:

My perspective is the Arts and Culture are of vital importance to the Community and Peoples of this valley (and beyond). It is a way to share our histories, to record current events for prosperity, and to grow a collective appreciation of what inspires and renews us to love our home on the island.

Debra Hamilton response:

I believe that increased access to arts and culture is a foundational and essential component of a vibrant and livable Port Alberni. Our community is immersed in a wealth of artistic and cultural expression, from the oral history and storytelling of the Tseshaht and Hupacasath peoples to the carving, painting, and weaving traditions of the Nuu-chah-nulth. These traditions are complemented by the vibrant plays and musicals at the Capitol Theatre, the stunning murals that adorn our town, and the many artisan and craft fairs that showcase local talent. Port Alberni is undeniably rich in its cultural offerings.

The Rollin Arts Center, historically a magnet for artists and art lovers, laid the groundwork for artistic engagement in the community. Today, The Grove gallery reflects the evolution of the Arts Council and highlights the innate resilience and adaptability of the arts in all communities.

Arts and culture serve as a mirror for the beliefs, values, and lived experiences of the Alberni Valley and beyond. They are not just forms of expression but a way to connect, celebrate our identity, and enrich our lives. Supporting and fostering access to these cultural assets will continue to shape Port Alberni into a community we can all be proud of.

Richard Huneault response:

I believe that arts and culture play a huge and important role, not only in Port Alberni, but in the everyday lives of individuals. Arts and culture have already played a significant part in our history and education. Monuments and art installations help teach history and honor our past. For example, growing up in Calgary, Alberta, I learned about the Famous Five because I walked past their statues downtown and asked my mother who they were when I was very young.

Expression is a fundamental right, and without it, we could not hold our government accountable. Sometimes this expression takes the form of satire in comics or plays, or criticism in lyrics and music. People’s happiness and mental health are heavily influenced by arts and culture, particularly as they relate to identity, community, and heritage.

 Arts and culture also play a huge role in boosting tourism, which can bring in new income for our community. That influx of tourism helps reduce the tax burden on local residents and businesses by increasing revenue from outside sources, which in turn supports our community’s growth and sustainability.  

In short, I would say that arts and culture play a very important role in everyone’s life here in Port Alberni.

PS I would suggest reading “The Picture of Dorian Gray” by Oscar Wilde for more interesting ideals and concepts around art 🙂

Note: No response received from Tom Verbrugge or Brennan Wauters

Q2: “If elected, what would you do to strengthen the presence of arts and culture in the community?”

Shinahkoh Couture response:

Without being privy to current initiatives this us a trickier question to answer, however what I would like to see and put forward is a wider community interaction and understanding of what our Culture towards the Arts can be. For example I feel there are many opportunities to bring historic photos “off the pages” and into the minds of Alberni residents through murals, specifically along the Quay to Quay pathway and the future buildings erected there. I would like to promote public art events by Indigenous artists, including marking Culturally Modified Trees and historic sites on the Valleys Tourism Maps. Also having discussions and presentations of weaving, beading, and carving planned for all the community to see during pre-existing events like the 5 Acre Music Festival,  Salmonfest, etc. I would love to plan chainsaw carving competitions, utilizing trees planned for removal along the streets of Port Alberni, that would create a walking tour while the community votes on a winner. We could then place the sculptures along our pathways or in front of businesses. 

In short I believe that there is not a single community member whose lives are not affected or remembered through our valley’s Art and Culture and when we celebrate that, we all become closer and more enriched for it.

Debra Hamilton response:

If elected as City Councilor, I will prioritize strengthening arts and culture in Port Alberni, recognizing its profound impact on individuals, families, and our entire community.

Art helps us explore identity, fosters a sense of belonging, and has proven benefits on mental health and wellness. Beyond these vital contributions, arts and culture are also significant economic drivers. Through cultural tourism, creative economies like arts and crafts markets, and shared studio spaces, we have the opportunity to grow Port Alberni’s local economy. I will work to ensure the City’s Economic Development staff proactively seek opportunities, grants, and incentives from all levels of government to support these initiatives.

During my tenure, I will advocate for arts and culture to be a focal point in the distribution of grants-in-aid and community investment programs. I will also push for collaborative approaches to negotiating space rentals and user fees for arts and culture initiatives to make these programs more accessible.

One particular area I intend to address is the City’s responsiveness and collaboration in updating street signage and tourism marketing for The Grove, which, in the context of the CAC’s contribution to our community, is the equivalent of the Rollin Arts Center. It is essential to showcase local heritage and enhance opportunities for public art installations in and around City spaces and buildings. A visible and vibrant arts presence will foster a stronger sense of community identity and pride.

Angela, you and I have spoken about the importance of the City supporting non-profit organizations with dollars, manpower, and resources so they can focus on creating the collective impact that municipal governments cannot achieve alone. A strong and vibrant Community Arts Council is critical to making the arts accessible to all residents—not through simple subsidies, which may not be feasible given the City’s current financial constraints, but through strategic partnerships and collaboration.

I believe the newly established role of Manager of Community Safety and Social Development must recognize the Arts Council as an integral part of any gaps analysis being conducted. This role, tasked with making recommendations to advocate for funding from other levels of government, should include arts and culture as a key component of social development planning. Arts and culture are not just about entertainment; they are vital to a thriving, inclusive, and forward-looking community. The Community Arts Council deserves a strong voice at the table.

Richard Huneault reponse:

If elected, I’d strengthen the presence of arts and culture in our community. The first event I attended when I moved to Port Alberni was the Langauge Pole revitalization ceremony, and I was so honored to meet so many passionate people in our community, including local artists like Cecil Dawson. That experience showed me how much our community values its arts and culture, and I want to build on that.

I’d prioritize increasing funding and grants for local artists and cultural organizations, ensuring that resources stay within our community to support homegrown talent. In my experience living in Calgary, I saw too much funding go toward bringing in external artists, while our local talent was overlooked. If elected, I’d work to change that by focusing funding on local creators and cultural initiatives that directly benefit our community, rather than spending taxpayer dollars on talent from outside.

Establishing clear cultural policies would also be important—policies that focus on increasing arts access, preserving our local heritage, and incorporating public art in new developments. I’d also be in favour of advocating for creating more spaces where artists can showcase their work, like galleries and community centers, and I’d work on making sure those spaces stay accessible for everyone.

I’d make sure we’re preserving and promoting our cultural heritage, including Indigenous traditions and landmarks. This means working closely with Indigenous communities to honor and share their stories. Public events like festivals and art fairs are a great way to connect people with culture, so I’d support organizing or funding more of these to showcase local talent and boost tourism.

My support could be seen in the form of promoting events or voting in favour  of grants or tax breaks for individuals or businesses that support these ideals and events

Finally, I’d create strong partnerships with local artists, schools, and organizations to expand arts programming, and make sure that arts and cultural policies reflect the diverse interests of our community. I believe that the role of government should only be that of support and never censorship.

Note: No response received from Tom Verbrugge or Brennan Wauters