Details
- Contact: Bernice Ramsdin-Firth
I have loved the arts since I was a child, spending many Sundays with my father at the Royal Ontario Museum and The Toronto Art Gallery or wandering the Don Valley.
After marrying and giving birth to five daughters, I went to Douglas College for a number of years as a mature student, and have had several shows both in Vancouver and elsewhere. I taught clay sculpture in Maple Ridge and painted a mural for the town. I also wrote a musical pantomime, ‘The Tinder Box’ which was staged by The Maple Ridge Players and then staged by the Ladysmith Players on V.I. After moving to Vancouver Island in 1998 I wrote another, more serious play ‘The Naming of Charley Salmon’ and won the Victoria Playwrights’ competition. I then joined the Chemainus Writers Group collaborating on a book of short stories ‘The Oyster Speaks’ which I also illustrated and then I began a series of four illustrated books written for young people, ‘The Other Side of Magic’.
Meantime I painted a mural for the Lion’s Club of Duncan to help celebrate Duncan’s 100th birthday. And also began working in stone as well as working on another book, ‘Once Upon A Future’ for young adults.
My partner Gord and I have always been attracted to Hornby Island and now have a cottage there. We go as often as we can, enjoying the special nature of this lovely place, close to nature and the sea. And with the wonderful Hornby Festival, who could ask for more?