Events

Someday Somewhere Beautiful Book Launch Event @ The Concert Gallery, McMillan Arts Center | May 31, 2025 at 6PM

'Someday Somewhere Beautiful', the debut poetry book of Parksville poet, Sophia Conway, is being celebrated with an evening of poetry readings, conversation, and appetizers in the Concert Gallery of the McMillan Arts Center, Parksville.

The poetry book, inspired by the poet's own journey to motherhood, is praised as "a unique contribution from one of the diverse voices that have made a mark in poetry" by Kamal Parmar, Past Poet Laureate of Nanaimo, and "A beautiful collection!" by Canadian League of Poets' member, Jennifer Cox.
Jennifer Miller, Executive Director of Crossroads Pregnancy Center in Nanaimo, will be speaking to the amazing charitable work her organisation is doing in the Oceanside area. Visit www.cpcnanaimo.com for more. Copies of the book can be purchased ahead of time on Amazon or through the publisher at kelsaybooks.com. This event will be photographed, video recorded, and/or livestreamed.

Haiku Exhibition @ Coombs Butterfly World | May 10 & 11, 2025

In celebration of my upcoming 'Crumbs & Constellations' book launch, Coombs Butterfly World will be exhibiting 20 poems from the book across their gardens and greenhouses for Mother's Day weekend (May 10 & 11). Between 10 am-4 pm come dive into haiku poetry and marvel at their stunning free-flying butterflies! Appropriate for all ages and easily accessible. [Regular admission rates to the gardens apply] Learn more about the book & exhibition here!

'Shelf Memories' @ The MAC | May 1st to June 30th

My 2024 photo series, Shelf Memories, is coming to The McMillan Arts Center in Parksville, Vancouver Island. This is an opportunity to view the photographs up close, watch a prerecorded interview of myself explaining the series and diving into specifics, and see the photographed books in person (to take home if you wish!) Along with an informative pamphlet on the photo series, there will be a map showing all the free libraries in the Parksville area, many of which the books originated from. This is the launching exhibition for their newly renovated digital art gallery, also known as The Cloakroom Gallery. Keep an eye out for more details coming soon. Learn more about the book here!

Sakura Days Japan Fair, Vancouver | April 13-14, 2024

Join me at the Sakura Days Japan Fair in Vancouver this April for a two-day celebration of Japanese art, culture, food, and more! I will be hosting a 30-minute haiku workshop at 1PM during the festivities at the Experience Japan Tent, and performing two spoken-word pieces of my haiku from the Floral stage (situated by the VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Center) on Saturday, one at 11:50AM and the second at 2PM.

Here's the official write-up of the workshop: Join Vancouver-Island-based poet, Sophia Conway, as she leads an interactive workshop introducing the ancient Japanese poetry form of traditional haiku. Hear the poetry of the old Haiku Masters; Bashō, Buson, Issa, and Shiki, and practice writing your own! This is a fun and introductory class for all ages.

More information about the event itself here!

Workshop Resources

Haiku Society of America

British Haiku Society

Haiku Canada

Irish Haiku Society

Australian Haiku Society

African Haiku Network

The Haiku Foundation

Haiku International Association

About Haiku [The Poetry Foundation]

About Haiku [The Academy of American Poets]

The Haiku Masters [World-in-Words]