Welcome to the Collaboration Studio
This space is an invitation for community contribution, for artist production, an incubator for collaboration and a platform offering visibility for diverse cultures and lived experiences.
A Place Called Cumberland
Through our latest Collaboration Studio project, explore the transformative power of shared space as a gallery, an artist incubator, and a platform where diverse voices converge.
Dive into Cumberland’s storied past and vibrant present through the voices of twelve authors in A Place Called Cumberland, a newly published collection that delves into everything from legendary railway disasters and coal mining struggles to tales of mountain biking and mycology. The accompanying exhibition, A Place Called Cumberland: A Publication Exhibition, amplifies these stories with interactive displays and multimedia installations that immerse you in the layers of Cumberland’s history.
Together, the book and exhibition capture lesser-known narratives—from the untold stories of Chinese and Italian immigrant miners to the enduring impact of Japanese-Canadian families like the Ogakis. Learn about figures like Joe Naylor, the quiet yet powerful influence behind labour leader Ginger Goodwin, and meet the bold pioneers like Dr. Irene Mounce, who contributed to the fields of science and hospitality in this resilient community.
This project celebrates Cumberland’s role as an arts, culture, and recreation hub in Vancouver Island’s Comox Valley, making visible the intertwined histories and diverse values that make it a truly unique place. Join us in the Collaboration Studio to connect with these compelling stories, add your own voice to the space, and experience Cumberland from a new perspective.
STUDIO PROJECT SUPPORT
Thank you to the Y.P. Heung Foundation for their generous support, which made this project possible and allowed it to grow into a meaningful, community-created anthology.
The Collaboration Studio is a dynamic, participatory studio space within the Cumberland Museum & Archives designed to foster community-driven cultural production and engagement. Rooted in the belief that every visitor is a cultural contributor, the Collaboration Studio transforms the traditional museum experience by prioritizing individual lived experiences and inviting audiences to actively participate in shaping Cumberland’s cultural narrative. The studio activates projects that explore contemporary community issues through collaborative inquiry, creative challenges, and dialogue. Visitors of all ages and abilities can engage in tactile, thought-provoking activities that celebrate process over product, encouraging repeat visits and deepening relationships with the museum.
Projects are informed by local histories, artistic practices, and partnerships with schools, artists, and organizations, offering opportunities for storytelling, performance, and visual contributions. Anchored by values of accessibility, cultural safety, and inclusivity, the Collaboration Studio aspires to build a thriving, care-centered cultural community where the voices, knowledge, and skills of all participants enrich Cumberland’s evolving cultural histories.
Do you have a project of interest and are looking for a collaborative partnership? Tell us more.
OFF THE PRESS!
Join Ian Bowles of Black Cat Skateboards as he demonstration the pressing of raw maple boards into a skateboard deck. Drop in between 11 – 11:30 am.