Turning Creativity into Purpose
Kalin McDowell is a multidisciplinary artist whose work is defined by creativity, functionality, and sustainability. Originally from Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, Kalin spent her early years moving between Saskatchewan and North Dakota before settling in British Columbia a decade ago. For the past four years, she’s proudly called the Alberni Valley home.
With a degree in philosophy and minors in art, politics, history, and archaeology, Kalin is a lifelong learner and maker. She has explored a wide variety of community art classes—from pottery to mixed media—and brings that same curiosity to her personal practice. Her home serves as both studio and sanctuary, with the living room, kitchen, and even the deck becoming creative workspaces.
Kalin’s artistic journey spans over 30 years. Photography has been a passion for decades, while her experience in painting, sewing, jewelry making, sculpture, and inventing has evolved over the last 20 years. Most recently, she has embarked on a powerful new path: transforming waste into functional and sculptural art. This recycling initiative blends innovation with environmental responsibility, turning discarded materials into pieces that serve a real purpose.
At the heart of Kalin’s work is a love of problem-solving. Whether she’s crafting a multi-functional walking stick or inventing a new artistic solution, her goal is always the same—create something useful, meaningful, and lasting. She believes that even art should serve a purpose and be part of the solution, not the problem.
Deeply inspired by nature and driven by a desire for efficiency, Kalin’s work is a response to the world around her. The raw beauty of Vancouver Island grounds her, while her passion for sustainability fuels her creative activism. Through her recycling project, she hopes to encourage others to see that living a low-waste lifestyle can be simple, impactful, and even fun.
What makes Kalin unique isn’t just her art, but the way she connects with people. A life spent moving often taught her that being genuine and unapologetically herself was more valuable than trying to fit in. She brings that openness to her work and interactions, creating a space where others feel welcome and seen.
To learn more, connect with Kalin via email or through the QR code linking to her website and socials. She’s currently promoting her recycling project through demos at local farmer’s markets, selling upcycled creations, and planning workshops to inspire community action.
This is more than art—it’s a movement. And Kalin invites you to be part of it.
