A short discussion illustrated by the work of three well known maritime artists and an exquisite new model of the Spanish schooner, Santa Saturnina.
The threat of “foreign” invasion into “their” seas in the wake of the tumultuous fur trade prompted Spain to explore in Northwest Pacific waters, at the farthest reaches of their American empire, from 1774 until 1796. As UBC professor Tomas Bartroli noted, it was a brief presence, abandoned after 1795 with the conclusion of the Nootka Convention agreements.
The Euro American incursion into Pacific Northwest waters collided with the millennia old cultures of the Indigenous peoples. The dimensions of that conflict of cultures remains a matter of ongoing concern and the need for reconciliation is acknowledged.
Even so, the amazing feats of ship building skill, navigation and seamanship undertaken by the early explorers warrants recognition. Following the Spaniards departure from the scene their explorations have gone largely unsung. Few people now know the stories behind the many Spanish place names still found on our coastal features.
Local popular historian Kim Davies has put together a collection of paintings by Mark Myers, Gordon Miller and Steve Mayo illustrating key events in this history. Comox master model builder Bruce Ellis has produced an exquisite model of one of the little ships that carried out these early Euro American explorations of our waters.
Join us for an evening presentation and discussion.
Timing: The lecture starts at 7:00 pm. Doors open at 6:30 pm.
Speakers: Local popular historian Kim Davies
Tickets: $5 for Historical Society members; $6 for general public. Advance tickets recommended. Tickets can be purchased over the phone by calling 250-334-0686 ext 2.
Also check out other Arts events in Courtenay, Fine Arts events in Courtenay.
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