Online: April 17 to May 21, 2026
Opening Reception: April 10 • 7 – 9 pm • more info

Acrylic and Oil Paintings in the Mezzanine

Elders in Our Midst connects and celebrates seniors across British Columbia who have contributed to climate action in their communities. Through intergenerational interviews and hand-painted portraits by Joy Hanser, the project highlights the unique experiences, knowledge, and efforts of these Elders. Youth-led interviews bring these stories of senior climate action to life, while the accompanying portraits offer a visual tribute to their impact, inspiring people of all ages to recognize the diverse ways we can care for our planet and foster community-driven climate action.

The goal of Elders in Our Midst is to inspire the wider society to embrace and care for elders and value their many contributions to society. Nominations were gathered over several months and then sorted to portray a wide range of senior climate actions, from everyday caretaking to longer-range strategic campaigns. These are people like you and me who have found a purposeful role in mobilizing seniors to speak out for climate action, advocating for marine protection zones, revitalizing traditional Indigenous knowledge, growing and sharing local and sustainable food, reconnecting children with nature, practicing eco-friendly repair and reuse, and using the creative arts to strengthen cultural resilience.

The Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC) is the oldest environmental group in Canada. Established in 1969, the goals of SPEC are focused on creating a healthy environment we can call home. The SPEC Elders Circle is composed of a diverse, yet united group of individuals who honour each others’ unique creativity, which allows them to leverage their individual strengths to share their legacies, disseminate their wisdom and make a difference in the world, particularly in climate-related initiatives.

Website: spec.bc.ca/EldersCircle