Arts Advocate

When Nadia Rieger came to town just a couple of years ago now, she didn’t really know what the reception would be like for someone looking to do what she does.

She came here wanting to open a small gallery where local artists could show off and sell their creations, as well as teach art to anyone wanting to learn, so she opened the Crow’s Nest Gallery and Studio in Willow Point. She never expected to be called a hero for it.

“I guess it feels good to know that I’m helping people find or develop their passion for art,” she says, after finding out her name was on the list for this year’s Local Heroes Awards. “People often tell me how I’ve helped them heal from something or get through a hard time and that they’re so thankful that I’m here because now they have an outlet and a place for them to show what they do and share their talents and that I encourage them.”

Because some people, she has come to learn, can’t live without art.

“There are just some people who can’t live without creating, without being artistic, and I have a place where they can do that and I offer it to anyone, of all ages, even if they can’t afford it. Because I remember when I found out that art was what I needed in my life, and there’s really nothing better than helping someone else find that out, too.”

Advocacy is about passion, and if there’s one thing Heidi Cuff has, that’s it. 

Serving as the marketing and programming coordinator for the Tidemark Theatre, she brings that passion to work with her every day. It also kind of spills over into everything else she does.

“I love my job, I love what I do and I love this community,” she says. “When those things line up in life, I think that excitement and passion naturally overflows. I’m also in a really unique position at the theatre, which connects me to many different facets of our community on a daily basis. Those connections have allowed for some pretty rad projects and collaborations.”

And “collaboration” might be the operative word there, because as much work as Heidi puts in to making things happen in the arts scene in Campbell River, she’s the first to admit it wouldn’t be enough without the work everyone else puts in, too. 

“There are a whole lot of us creatives in the arts scene ‘trenches’ here,” she says, “all working hard together to help each other and to elevate our collective organizations and practices. It’s one hundred percent a team effort.”