Due to COVID-19, the annual Salish Sea Lantern Festival and parade did not proceed as planned; however, in its place ArtSea presented the Salish Sea Festival: A Week of Lanterns, August 16-22, 2020.
ArtSea offered several opportunities to ‘build-your-own lantern’, with online lantern-building tutorials (below) and small, in-person workshops. During the week of August 16th to 22nd, ArtSea invited the entire community to light up their lanterns (with battery-operated lights) each night at 7pm. Lanterns were displayed on front lawns, hung from a balconies, or displayed in front windows and porches. Participants sent us their address and photos of their displays to be added to the interactive map (see below – it has been viewed almost 6000 times!) so that we could share photos and the location of lantern displays for the community to enjoy (from home, or by viewing the display in person). And prizes awarded for the best lantern displays; the displays were amazing and the competition was tough!
Thank you to our wonderful community for the success of the 2020 Salish Sea Festival: A Week of Lanterns! We were so impressed with the beautiful and creative lanterns that were displayed, and by the participation and enthusiasm of so many residents and organizations on the Saanich Peninsula (and beyond). We are already looking forward to the 2021 Salish Sea Festival: A Week of Lanterns, so get your creative juices flowing, and keep building your lanterns and planning your beautiful displays (online lantern tutorials below). This event is a wonderful opportunity to be creative and get involved with your community, in a time when connection is most important!
Salish Sea Festival: A Week of Lanterns, Details and Interactive Map
| Dates: | August 16 – 22, Daily at 7pm |
| Where: | Various Locations around the Saanich Peninsula |
| Address: | See Interactive Map |
| Presented By: | ArtSea Community Arts Council and the Community! |
| Committee Lead: | Wayne McNiven Jennifer Witvliet, Artistic Director |
| Contact: | Wayne McNiven vicepresident@artsea.ca |
Media Coverage
There is lots of buzz about the Salish Sea Festival: A Week of Lanterns. Check out the links below.
CHEK News – Vital People
Our friend, Veronica Cooper, profiles the Salish Sea Festival: A Week of Lanterns with ArtSea Community Arts Council. Vital People is sponsored by the Victoria Foundation.
Victoria Buzz
Harbour Living, event listing
Interactive map icons
Use this map to find out where to see lantern displays August 16-22, starting at 7pm daily (fish icons), pick up jellyfish lantern kits (jellyfish icons), attend lantern-building workshops (balloon icons); scroll around, zoom in, click icons for more information and photos. Also, don’t forget to send us your Lantern Display Location (submit using the form below) so that the community can enjoy your beautiful display!
Submit your Lantern Display location
Will you join the lantern display? Send us your location and we will add a pin to the interactive map.
PRIZES for the Best Lantern Display!
Prizes for the best display:
Generously donated by Michelle Holmes.
First Prize
1 Year Family Membership to the Shaw Center for the Salish Sea.
Second Prizes (there are two)
A gift certificate to Buddies Toys in Sidney, BC.
A gift certificate to Island Blue Art Store in Sidney, BC.
How to win prizes:
Share your lantern display photos!
1. Share your photos on Facebook
Post your photos on Facebook and tag @ArtSeaSalishSeaLanternFestival OR Share your photos directly on the Salish Sea Lantern Festival Facebook page
2. Submit your photos to ArtSea
Send us your photos and address so that we can share your photos and location on the Salish Sea Festival event map.
Tip: have your community block, cul-de-sa,c or street plan a lantern display together! And Don’t forget to stop by the Pier Hotel and Holmes Realty in Sidney to see their Salish Sea Lantern Display for inspiration.
Build Your Lanterns
Online Lantern Building Tutorials
ArtSea is producing online lantern-building tutorials so that you can make lanterns at home! Check the list of materials needed, get creative, and then display your lanterns during A Week of Lanterns, August 16-22!
Build a Paper bag Lanternu003cbru003eOnline Tutorial (simple)
Materials needed: Paper bag, tissue paper, electric tea light, felt pens, scissors, glue stick.
Build a Balloon Lanternu003cbru003eOnline Tutorial (moderate)
Materials needed: Balloon, plastic cup or small container, tape, white glue, paint brush, tissue paper, scissors, hold punch, string or ribbon, and an electric tea light.
Build a Jellyfish Lantern Kitu003cbru003e-Kits available locally! (simple)
Visit the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea Store, Island Blue in Sidney, or Buddies Toys to pick up your Lantern-building kit – all materials and instructions are included.
Check out some Jellyfish Fun Facts
- Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea
- How to Grow a Jellyfish – Seaside Magazine
- Jellyfish of the Sea – San Juan Safaris
- Record Jellyfish Sightings – JellyWatch
- The Fried Egg Jellyfish – The Marine Madness Blog
- Jellyfish 101 – National Geographic Wild
- Lion’s Mane Jellyfish: The Biggest Jellyfish In The World – Trend Max
- Immortal Jellyfish, The Creature that Defies Death
- Bionic Jellyfish – Advanced Science News
- Dangerous Jellyfish – Planet Deadly
Lantern Building Workshops
- Children’s workshops to build balloon lanterns.
- Adult workshops to build a heart or small fish lanterns.
- Jelly-fish lantern kits (build-your own) available at the Shaw Centre for the Salish Sea, Buddies Toys, and Island Blue in Sidney, BC.
Children’s Workshop at Greenglade Community Centre
A family-friendly workshop to build a simple balloon lantern and celebrate the Salish Sea Festival: A Week of Lanterns.
- Cost: $5, all materials provided
- Date: August 6th, 2020
- Time: 6-7:30
- Place: Greenglade Community Centre
- Duration: 1.5 hours
Children’s Workshop at McTavish Academy of Art
A family-friendly workshop to build a simple balloon lantern and celebrate the Salish Sea Festival: A Week of Lanterns.
- Cost: $5, all materials provided
- Date: August 10th, 2020
- Time: 3-4pm
- Place: McTavish Academy of Art.
- Duration: 1 hour
Sign up for Adult Lantern Building Workshops – Various dates and times (see below)
Build your own 3D fish lantern or heart lantern (to honour essential workers) and celebrate the Salish Sea Festival: A Week of Lanterns. PLEASE NOTE: IF YOU SIGNED UP FOR A WORKSHOP AND HAVE NOT RECEIVED A FOLLOW-UP EMAIL, PLEASE RESUBMIT YOUR WORKSHOP REGISTRATION BELOW.
- Cost: $25, all materials provided (payment made at the workshop)
- Date: Various (see below)
- Place: ArtSea Gallery in Tulista Park
- Duration: 3 hours
The Annual Salish Sea Lantern Festival will return…
The Salish Sea Lantern Festival is a celebration of light, community and artistic expression. The opening festival includes performances by Renee Sampson and the SENĆOŦEN Immersion singers and thier traditional songs, and Holly Arntzen and Kevin Wright of The Wilds, sharing their Eco-Rock vibes, and original songs about the Salish Sea. Following the performances, members of the community participate in a procession of beautifully illuminated, hand-built lanterns that reflect in the waters of the Salish Sea.
Photo Credit: Bob Orchard
Photo gallery from the 2020 Salish Sea Festival: A Week of Lanterns
rhdr
Photo gallery from the Annual Salish Sea Lantern Festival
Join the Lantern Festival Volunteer Committee
Would you like to join this fun team and help organize the the Salish Sea Festival: A Week of Lanterns, or help out with a lantern-building workshop? Apply online or Download an Application Form; or Learn more about the volunteer positions available for the Lantern Festival.
Thank You to Our 2020 Partners and Generous Sponsors
Please support these community-minded businesses that helped to make the Salish Sea Festival: A Week of Lanterns a success!
Inland Blue Printing Co. Ltd.
