A book celebrating the array of authors in the province is launching at the Nanaimo Museum this Saturday (Nov. 24).
The book, 111 West Coast Literary Portraits, printed by Mother Tongue Publishing, features photographs by Barry Peterson and Blaise Enright, text composed by the authors profiled and an introduction by Alan Twigg.
It pairs the photographs and author’s text. The film was hand-processed by the photographers to ensure its quality.
The launch event at the museum runs from 1-4 p.m. The Nanaimo Museum and Mother Tongue Publishing collaborated on the event and the special portrait exhibit.
The exhibit will be on display until Jan. 31. It features the black and white archival photographs and text written by the authors showcased in the book.
The launch also includes readings by local authors profiled in the book.
Gabriolan author Katherine Gordon, one of the local writers included in the book, said each author’s intro is very different and gives people a quick snapshot of who the authors are. She decided to take an excerpt from previous work.
“The piece I selected is called Landed Immigrant – I selected the ending,” said Gordon. “I wanted to find something that says something about me so if someone reads it they can learn a little bit about how I write and who I am.”
Gordon said when the book arrived in her hands a week ago she was blown away by the finished product.
“It’s very powerful and engaging. It’s a lovely vision the photographers and publisher had. I’m very proud to be part of it,” said Gordon. “I just fell into it when I opened it. To have this kind of celebration in a very tangible way is very special.”
Gordon was photographed in her greenhouse.
“It feeds my soul and creative spirit,” said Gordon about the space.
Gardening has influenced her writing. She has written several pieces from a spiritual and cultural perspective on gardening.
Authors portraits on display include: Jack Hodgins, Barry Broadfoot, Kim Goldberg, Kate Braid, Marilyn Bowering, Katharine Gordon, Mairuth Sarsfield, George Szanto, Tim Lander, Gregory Scofield, Stephen Reid, Des Kennedy, Anne Cameron, Joe Rosenblatt, Keith Harrison, Joy Kogawa, Jane Rule, Vera Manual, Joanne Bealy, Evelyn C. White and Linda Rogers.
The book and portraits will also be exhibited over the next eight months at various locations throughout the province.
arts@nanaimobulletin.com