Local Photographer shows photos to aid water charity

 

            Photographer Sascha Porteous doesn’t think he is going to be able to change the world, but he does want to bring some of it to the Comox Valley in pictures and at the same time help bring the gift of fresh water to communities in need.

          

Sascha grew up in Comox and graduated from Highland Secondary.  With a keen desire to travel, and a degree from NIC in Professional photography under his belt, he has spent the past 4 years roaming the globe.  His travels have seen him visit and work in Europe, Indonesia, Australia, Fiji and New Zealand.  But most recently his love for surf and photography blended together in an epic voyage that many young people dream of but never attempt.  Together with his best friend Joel Morrison, the two outfitted a panel van for long distance travel and set off driving down the pacific coast with two intentions, to hit every hot surf spot possible and photojournal everything.  The trip lasted over a year and they made it as far as Lima, Peru.  Of course along the way they experienced far more than incredible surfing and stunning scenery.  They met many fascinating people, developed lasting friendships and learned to speak Spanish. But perhaps most importantly they learned a greater awareness of our consumer driven North American lifestyle and a greater appreciation for the more basic needs of everyone such as the fundamental element of water.

          

Now in an effort to act on his experiences he is holding a photographic exhibit sponsoring the group “charity: water”, which is a non profit organization with the stated purpose to “bring clean and safe drinking water to developing nations.”  The same exhibit held recently in Victoria at Dales Gallery was met with great success.  The pictures on display are all enlarged on a borderless canvas palate.  With the contrasting vivid colour and textured medium there is a unique and almost painterly feel to many of the images.

These photographs from North, Central and South America will be shown at Gordon Ross Photography studio, 2314 Rosewall Crescent, (Tin Town) Courtenay.  The opening night promises to offer much to all who attend.  DJ’s Earthtone and UpsidedownNinja will be playing well into the wee hours of the night. There is a well stocked bar of beer and wine. Entry is by donation.  Perhaps best of all is the raffle of sponsored gifts, generously donated by local businesses, such as Locals restaurant, The Atlas Cafe, Simons cycles, Timeless Snow and Sk8, Trousers and Toscanos Restaurant. All money from the raffle draw, bar sales, donations and profits from art sales are going to Charity: Water. Opening night is Friday, 23^rd of October. The photos will be showing for a week if you can’t make it out for opening night.

          

For all who have an interest in surfing, photography, travel, art, having a good time or who want to help support Charity: Water, please make a point to drop in to Gordon Ross Photography studio on Friday. Doors open 7:00pm.