The Galloping Goose Regional trail holds a special place in Mo and Jan Mosely’s hearts.
The Langford couple walk or ride their bikes on portions of the nearly 60 kilometre-long trail several times a week. A walk on the Goose gives them time to relax, re-charge and enjoy the beauty surrounding them.
“The Galloping Goose became our passion immediately. We love it,” Jan said. “It inspires us artistically, spiritually and it inspires us to stay on track physically. It’s just a wonderful experience… It’s safe, peaceful and has so much history and you can just imagine what it was like for the people back then.”
The natural beauty of the trail has inspired other artists as well. The Mosleys, as well as a number of other artists whose work depicts the Goose, will be on display as part of a new exhibit at the Coast Collective Gallery and Art Centre.
Galloping Goose: Urban and Rural Landscapes showcases 55 pieces from 23 artists of views along the trail that stretches from downtown Victoria to Sooke.
“For people from out of town, I’m hoping it will give them another look at what we have to offer in our community and for any locals, I’m hoping it will give a new perspective on our communities to people who might not already see it that way,” gallery manager Laura Rechwan said. “As a community arts centre, why not promote our community and what we love about it and show our appreciation for it.”
For the Mosleys, the exhibit is a chance to share their love of the trail with others. Dave’s piece called “Reverie” is a watercolour painting of a portion of the trail near Matheson Lake, while Jan’s piece was done using alcohol ink and depicts the more historical side of the trail called “Next Stop Leechtown.”
The duo started walking and riding bikes on the Goose when they moved from Abbotsford to Victoria when they retired four years ago. They quickly fell in love with the trail – Jan even started a nordic pole walking group called the West Shore Pole-R-Bears, which walks the Goose frequently.
Dave’s love of the trail began to permeate other aspects of his life as well. An artist for the past 20 years, he’s created many landscape paintings featuring different sections of the Goose recently. While Dave has had his work on display in Abbotsford in the past, this is the first time the couple will be showcasing their work as part of the same exhibit.
“I hope, just like the both of us have found a great appreciation for nature and God’s creation, that they would get a sense of that as well and really appreciate seeing nature reflected in the various forms we have,” Dave said of the exhibit.
The exhibit runs Aug. 22 to Sept. 9 at the art gallery (103-318 Wale Rd.), which is open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
There will also be a meet the artists reception on Saturday, Aug. 25 from 1 to 3 p.m., as well as an interactive pop-up market from noon to 4 p.m. in the parking lot between the art gallery and Sooke Road.
The pop-up market includes local and interactive art, live music, pizza and refreshments.
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kendra.wong@goldstream