MISSA is all about the magic that happens when friends who love art and the creative process gather together. View the special events listed below where students, faculty and guests, have the opportunity to connect, create and socialize over the 2 weeks.
Dust off your glad rags – life is an event to dress for! Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts presents Homecoming a Celebration of the Arts our gala dinner event to celebrate:
There will be live musical entertainment from Karel Roessingh & Joey Smith and a presentation from the 2026 Ambassador of the Arts Award winner Cathy Jefferson about her work.
Come dance the night away on the shores of Pedder Bay and help us celebrate another great year of MISSA summer arts programing.
Take part in the Silent Auction and bid on some amazing art for your home or a special gift.
Tickets for day students and off campus guests are $40.00. If you are staying on campus you do not need to buy a ticket; it is included in your accommodation fees.
Thursday, July 23
Cocktail hour 5:30pm to 6:30 pm
Dinner 6:30pm-7:30pm
Silent Auction bidding stops at 8:30pm
Music 7:30pm – 9:30pm
Each year MISSA recognizes a member of the arts community who, through the calibre of their work and commitment, have made a significant difference to the growth and development of arts and culture in British Columbia.
This year’s Ambassador of the Arts is Cowichan Valley Ceramic Artist Cathi Jefferson.
Cathi Jefferson has been creating salt fired stoneware for more than thirty years. Her studio and gallery is located in the heart of the beautiful Cowichan Valley on southern Vancouver Island near the town of Duncan. She is a founding member of the Cowichan Artisans, a diverse group of talented full time professional artisans. She makes finely crafted functional pottery as well as beautiful unique sculptural pieces, all inspired by the wonderful natural setting in which they were created. Cathi is a recipient of the Carter-Wosk BC Creative Achievement Award. She has taught ceramics at UVic, an demonstrated throughout North America, the UK and Korea. Cathi is a big supporter of MISSA is and a favourite instructor. Congratulations Cathi and thank you for your contributions to our creative community and the Arts in BC.
The following have been recognized by MISSA as Ambassadors of the Arts:
Jack Shadbolt | Myfanwy Pavelic | Jack Wise | Murray Adaskin | Carole Sabiston, O.B.C. | Rosita Tovell | Mavor Moore | Colin Graham | Fran Willis | PK Page | Bill West | Pat Martin-Bates | Walter Dexter | Lorna Crozier, O.C. | Patrick Lane | Norman Yates | The Newman Family: Victor, Edith, Marion and Carey | Martin Segger | Valdy | Robin Hopper, O.C., R.C.A | Shelagh Rogers | William Zuk | Gary Karr | Susan A. Point, O.C | Sheryl MacKay
The great time-honoured tradition of GUMBO Night returns to MISSA!
Here is how it works:
There will be live musical entertainment from local musicians – HDC.
Tickets for day students and off campus guests are $40.00.
Resident students staying on campus must purchase a $10 ticket to receive their handmade bowl, gumbo meal is included in this price.
Did you know our fundraiser will help us to raise the funds we need to build a new atmospheric kiln for MISSA and Pearson College? Come, wile away the evening with us on the shores of Pedder Bay and help us celebrate another great year of MISSA summer arts programing while supporting our kiln project and the amazing art programing we continue to offer. Forty years is just the beginning!
**If you are interested in donating a ceramic bowl (or two!) to this fundraising event, you can drop off your donations to MISSA Central during Pearson. If you are a Victoria resident, you can connect with us at ed@missa.ca and we will arrange for drop off or pick up. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!
This fundraising event has been happening at MISSA for many years and started as “Gumbo Night” an evening outside by the soda kiln at our Pearson College location, where gumbo was served in ceramic bowls. In 2022, in our new location at Shawnigan Lake School, this fundraiser changed to the “Chow-Down” and chowder was served in bread bowls. A draw was made and participants won some bowls that were donated. In 2023, we switched things up again and served ice-cream ( blueberries and chocolate sprinkles too) at this “JUST DESSERT” event. Each ticket holder received a donated bowl. Thank you for continuing to participate in this fun filled fundraiser! Fundraising will be going towards the building of a new kiln.
MISSA Talks and Open House Self Guided Studio Tours
MISSA TALKS ARTIST PRESENTATIONS
You’re invited!
Please join the creative community at Metchosin International Summer School of the Art for an evening of presentations from MISSA’s 2026 Art Instructors. Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts is a mouthful, isn’t it? We affectionately call it MISSA for short. Take some time out to attend one evening or both for some creative stimulation and good company. Showing up is a great way to show your support and to see for yourself what MISSA is all about. You won’t regret it! All are welcome!
Monday July 20, 2026, 7:30pm – 8:30pm, Max Bell Theatre, Pearson College, five MISSA Artists will present about their work and process:
Monday July 27, 2026, 7:30pm – 8:30pm, Max Bell Theatre, Pearson College– five MISSA Artists will present about their work and process:
OPEN HOUSE AND SELF GUIDED STUDIO TOURS
Saturday Evening Open House and Self Guided Studio Tour
You’re invited!
Take a tour through the art studios of Metchosin International Summer School of the Arts at Pearson College and see what is going on. Maybe you are curious about what happens at MISSA during our annual summer programing? Or maybe you are a neighbour who wants to see some art and show your support for our creative community? Maybe you are a former student and want to say hello to old friends? Showing up is a great way to show your support and to see for yourself what MISSA is all about. Won’t you come? We would love to meet you!
Saturday July 18, 2026, and Saturday July 25, 2026
7:00pm – 8:30pm
650 Pearson College Drive
FREE all are welcome
Saturday, July 25th open house and studio tour will include a silent auction, check out the auction in the Dining Hall and take a chance – bid on a great piece of art!
Bidding ends at 8:30pm.
Day students (and guests) who wish to join us for dinner or breakfast may purchase meal tickets. For any students staying on campus and checking in on Friday or Sunday, dinners on these evenings are included in your accommodation package. For all students, day and resident, lunch is included in your tuition, but If you are a guest to the campus and wish to stay for lunch, you can buy a lunch ticket here too.
Stay late on a Monday, buy a dinner ticket and then stick around for the MISSA Talks. Day students wishing to join the Welcome Dinners the evening before a workshop starts can buy dinner tickets for Friday July 17, Sunday July 19, Friday July 24, or Sunday July 26. Maybe you want to work late in the studio and don’t want to leave campus for dinner… buy a dinner meal ticket. Or join your cohort for breakfast… buy a breakfast ticket!
Select the date for the meal you wish to purchase so we can let the kitchen know the dates we will have extra mouths to feed.
Student Art
Take home a piece of artwork you have had your eye on! Items in all artistic mediums are welcome! MISSA students generously donate a piece of their own artwork and the bidding starts right away! The bidding closes on Sunday at 12:45 for the 2-day weekend group and 12:45 on Friday for the 5-day weekday group. This opportunity is just another way to take home a piece of MISSA magic!
MISSA Mugs
A highlight every year is to pick up your very own $25 “MISSA mug” to enjoy a beverage while you are on campus. There are so many sizes and designs to choose from! The mugs are a great memento of your time at MISSA and they make wonderful gifts too. The mugs are donated by past and present students and the money raised goes towards MISSA programming.
**If you are interested in donating a mug(or two!) please drop them off with one of our friendly volunteers at MISSA Central. You can also contact the MISSA Office in Victoria (778-966-4772) should you wish to drop them off ahead of time. Your generosity is greatly appreciated!
MISSA Merch
MISSA Central is the place of information for all things MISSA and the buy awesome merchandise! There is a range of items for sale including aprons, tote bags, t-shirts, zip- hoodies and sweatshirts. A sign will be posted with store hours.
