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DeCosmos outgrows space at MAC

Art group goes from analog to digital with new tech at PCCC
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Artist Jean Delaney, standing, demonstrates her technique of painting acrylic on wood during a monthly meeting of DeCosmos Artists Society at the McMillan Arts Centre. The group will now be holding its monthly meetings at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre. — File

The DeCosmos Fine Arts Society has seen a big growth in membership, and has voted to move their meetings out of the MAC.

The McMillan Arts Centre has been home to the more than 50-year-old arts group since 2002, said DeCosmos president Susan Rogers.

The group will continue to be affiliated with the MAC, she said, with Tuesday painters continuing to take place there, as well as various workshops.

But the larger, general meetings will now take place at the Parksville Community and Conference Centre, Rogers said.

“We just decided we needed room to grow, and the MAC has kind of limited space for what we need,” said Rogers.

Since dropping to a low membership count of approximately 50 several years ago, DeCosmos has grown to 103 members, and continues to welcome new additions.

Another reason for the move was to provide a better view of demonstrations to members.

At the MAC, the group had used a table with a larger mirror to show members what a demonstrator was doing, but it can be quite difficult to see, especially from the rear seats behind about 100 members.

“We thought it was time to bring us into this century and get some technology into our group,” said Rogers.

In addition to the June vote to move the group, the membership also voted to purchase camera equipment to project what a demonstrator is doing onto a large screen at the PCCC.

“It’s a much better option for our group,” said Rogers.

DeCosmos’ next general meeting will be Sept. 21 at the PCCC from 1-3 p.m. The meeting is a chance for existing members to re-register, as well as for new members to join, or for guests to see what DeCosmos is about.

There will be a demo, as as well as refreshments and social time.

The cost to become a member is $25 from Sept. to Aug., while guests can attend for $5. For more information about the group, go to decosmos.org.