Culture
Museums & Galleries
Museums
Courtenay & District Museum & Paleontology Centre
The first stop on the Great Canadian Fossil Trail is the Comox Valley. The Courtenay & District Museum & Palaentology Centre offers year round fossils site tours and has on permanent display a cast of a fossilized twelve metre long Elasmosaur dinosaur, the fossil of which was found along the banks of the local Puntledge River. Also enjoy exciting local First Nations and early pioneer artifact displays
Comox Air Force Museum and Heritage Airpark
The history of the Comox Air Base and West Coast military aviation is housed at the Comox Air Force Museum and Heritage Airpark. Peruse the extensive reference and photo library then take a stroll outside and walk right up to the museum’s airpark where eight historic aircraft are on display.
Cumberland Museum & Archives
The history of Cumberland depicts the history of coal mining. The museum houses artifacts from the largest Chinese settlement north of San Francisco, who were the workers for the coal mines. Wander through a replica of a turn of the century coal mine and view the tools and equipment used to mine the coals and keep the workers alive. Learn about the mine explosions and those miners that lost their lives mining in Cumberland.
Comox Archives & Museum
The Town of Comox was built around the Comox harbour and its history is one of maritime lore, farming and pioneer life. The museum features a display depicting the renowned naturalist Hamilton Mack Laing, who made Comox his home. Personal research assistance services and tours are available upon request.
Nim-Nim Interpretive Centre
Explore the history of the K’omoks First Nation at the Nim-Nim Interpretive Centre located on the traditional lands of the original Pentlatch People. The centre is named after the late Chief Joe Nim Nim and on display you will find his beaded headpiece and carved cane as well as photos of him, his family and other K’omoks people.
Find your guide to Comox Valley Museums and Heritage here.
Galleries
I-Hos Arts Gallery
The First Nations art gallery located on the K’omoks Band lands. Find a collection of traditional and contemporary northwest coast artworks, crafts and artifacts from local and regional First Nations artists.
The Comox Valley Art Gallery
The area's contemporary public art gallery and offers year-round exhibits from regional and national artists, international film series and workshops. They are located in a restored fire hall, downtown Courtenay.
Muir Gallery
The Muir Gallery, operated by the Comox Valley Community Arts Council, is host to a variety of exhibitions featuring community artists as well as community and regional juried art shows. The Muir Gallery is also host to literary events, workshops and presentations.
Pearl Ellis Gallery of Fine Arts
This unique gallery, run entirely by volunteers, features exhibitions and sales by established and emerging local artists. Located across from the Comox Centre Mall (lower level of 1729 Comox Avenue).
Look for other galleries and artist studios throughout the Comox Valley as well as art for sale in cafés, boutiques and many arts and cultural events held throughout the year.
The Comox Valley is an ArtBC Cultural Crawl 2009 participant - click on the logo below to discover the many ways to become involved in Comox Valley Culture.
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