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Sable Island horses subject of artist’s talk

Joan Larson to speak to PROBUS club Jan. 16 at Bayside in Parksville
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Qualicum Beach artist Joan Larson stands on Sable Island. In her Jan. 19 address to the local PROBUS club

Qualicum Beach artist Joan Larson of the Creekside Studio is coming to Parksville to speak to the Parksville PROBUS Club in two weeks time.

“The Central Island has a real thirst for knowledge in art,” said Aileen Fabris, who is on the PROBUS speakers committee.

Larson is an equestrian painter. She has painted a series showcasing the RCMP Musical Ride and the wild horses of Sable Island, the latter of which will be the basis of Larson’s address to PROBUS members.

“I will be talking about my experiences and showing photos from my trips to Sable Island,” she said.

“There’s something about horses and horse art that really grabs you,” said Fabris.

According to a news release from PROBUS, Larson is a senior member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, a member of the American Academy of Equine Artist and holds the Premier Pastelist designation with the Pastel Society of Canada. She has 25 years of professional achievements which include international shows, awards and documentaries.

Larson won’t be the only person presenting to PROBUS this year. According to Fabris, a speaker with “some knowledge of the community” comes to each of the group’s meetings.

The group, which Fabris describes as a a club for retired and semi-retired professional and business men and women, meets on the third Monday of every month at the Quality Bayside Resort for coffee, muffins and socializing. “It’s a social club mainly,” she said, also adding that younger business people are also welcome to join if the meeting time is convenient for them.

A membership is $15 per year and Fabris said there are around 120 people in the group at the moment. Aside from meetings, she said PROBUS members also get together for outings and a Christmas party each year.

Larson will speak at the PROBUS meeting on Jan. 19. The meeting starts at 8.30 a.m and Larson will take the mic from 9:30-10:30 a.m. The meeting will cost $5 for members; however, Fabris said to encourage more people to join the social group, the talk is open and free to first-time prospective members.