Cowichan Valley residents and former students of the Cowichan Station elementary school have turned to an unusual fundraiser to raise money for windows for their old school.
The school was boarded up in 2007 after a century of use, and quickly turned into an eyesore.
The sight of the boarded-up windows inspired local residents to work together to turn the old schoolhouse into a gathering space for the arts, culture, sport and recreation. The Cowichan Station Area Association has already opened up parts of it as a community centre, called the Hub at Cowichan Station.
But the heritage windows are still boarded up and in need of repair.
To raise funds, the group has asked local artisans, with the support of the Cowichan Valley Arts Council, to transform the unsightly boards into art.
The group is planning to auction the painted windows to raise money for repairs, so light will once again shine into the 105-year-old structure.
You can place bids on the art until July 7, in person or by email. Some works have a minimum reserve bid specified by the artist. View the art at cowichanstation.org/let-there-be-light-slideshow. To place a bid, contact [email protected].
For more information, call Madelaine MacLeod at 1-250-710-7551 or [email protected]. The organization also has a website, with information and history at cowichanstation.org.
