Laura Rechwan | BIOGRAPHY
Artist, Public Artwork, Consultant & Facilitator

Laura Rechwan is a lebanese-canadian artist living and working in Colwood, BC, in the traditional Lands of the Lekwungen-speaking Peoples, the Songhees and Esquimalt Nations.

She holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Entrepreneurial Management from Royal Roads University (2020), studied Studio Art and Art History at Concordia University in Montreal (2017-2018), and received a Visual Arts Diploma with honours from Camosun College (2015). 

Laura uses her combination of creative and entrepreneurial experience to connect the community through arts-based projects.

Active Studio Practice

Laura’s artistic practice centers around giving a physical form to the intangible energies surrounding us. Play is an important part of her process; having the freedom to experiment.

Laura’s practice spans many mediums - from ceramics to welding to drawing and everything in between. Clay is part of the earth and the smell of the raw clay reminds her of digging in the mud. She loves working with molten metal and sparks, often welding sculptures out of found materials. The majority of her pieces have significant recycled/upcycled components. 

Collaboration plays a large part in Laura’s artistic practice. She often seeks out groups and collectives with other creative individuals, and enjoys collaborating across disciplines to create projects which encompass diverse art forms. 

Laura’s artwork gives a voice to intangible energies and silent struggles. Sharing her work is an opportunity to start a conversation with the community, sometimes even sparking dialogues surrounding difficult topics, such as environmental protection, anti-racism or accessibility. 

Laura received BC Arts Council funding in 2023 for a metal and mixed-media sculpture project titled “Connective Tissue” which highlights the experiences of individuals with invisible disabilities.

Public Artwork & Community Engagement

Laura has a public artwork installation at Colwood Corners as part of a partnership with the City of Colwood and Onni Development Group. Laura has public artwork in the City of Langford’s public collection at Station Avenue. Laura has also displayed public artwork with the City of Victoria’s Art Kiosk program. She has also installed temporary illuminated sculptures as part of the Westshore Arts Council’s Light Up the Hills Festival, and has other artwork that is on display in local businesses and offices as part of private collections. 

Laura has over ten years of experience in Arts Administration & Community Engagement, including organizing gallery exhibitions, outdoor festivals, education programs, and other community-based activities. She has worked for the Arts & Culture Colwood Society and the Coast Collective Art Centre, as well as volunteering for other organizations such as the Sooke Fine Arts Society’s adjudication team.

Laura was a selected BC Culture Days Ambassador in 2021. Laura completed the artist-in-residence program with Art Starts in Schools in 2023. Laura has facilitated workshops in partnership with Kickstart Disability Arts Centre, ArtStarts in Schools, Esquimalt Community Arts Hub, Society for Arts on the South Island, and the Westshore Arts Council.

Laura is passionate about the transformative power of the arts and continues to seek opportunities to share creativity in her community.