The Gibsons Art & Words Festival is an annual four-day celebration where local writers and visual artists collaborate to create original works, presented through exhibitions, readings, workshops, and live performances at the Gibsons Public Market.

For the 2025 festival, I was paired with local author Marion Crook to create an installation inspired by her autobiography, Always On Call.

Painting Title: A Conversation With Cleo

Dimensions: 19.75” x 19.75” x 3”

Medium: Acrylic and found objects on wood panel

Description: This interactive art installation features a medical bag that opens to reveal a collection of relics representing stories and themes from Marion's book. Inside are items such as a vintage map of the Cariboo, photos from her life on the family farm, and a tribute to the family pig, Cleo. While Marion’s autobiography centers on her experiences as a nurse in rural BC, it also explores the intricate balance of family life—managing a farm, raising children, and practicing nursing. This piece was particularly inspired by a story she shared about Cleo giving birth to a litter of piglets, and the extraordinary bond between the pig and her daughter—a connection so strong, it was as if they could truly understand each other.