The Poetry Gabriola Society (PGS) is a nonprofit charity based on Gabriola Island, BC, Canada.

Our mandate is to support artistic experimentation, development and presentation of literary, spoken word, music and performance art events on Gabriola, with a particular emphasis on experimental and culturally diverse artists and practices.

We have provided a forum for poetry and performance since the year 2000, including the Poetry Gabriola Festival from 2003 to 2010. Our events have included workshops, cabarets, open mics, film screenings, site-specific productions and performance art events. We’ve presented poets, storytellers, songwriters, string ensembles, musical improvisers, historians, and rock stars, as well as practitioners of spoken word, sound poetry, hip-hop, polyvocal collaboration and haiku.

We value risk, innovation and adventure, eagerly embracing almost anything text-based and compelling. We provide support and opportunities for local and regional artists who work in, with and around words, offering grants, book launch support, readings and professional artist fees to local writers and performers.

We also invite artists of national and international renown to present their work in our island community, offers them in turn the unique experience of intimate venue, attentive audience, and pastoral setting.

Contact us

General email: connect@PoetryGabriola.ca

Paper mail: Poetry Gabriola Society, PO Box 387, Gabriola Island, BC V0R_1X0

Become a member

Poetry Gabriola Society memberships are $20 a year (calendar based, and sliding based on ability to pay). Memberships available at any of our events, or online at the support link below.

For event announcements, join our email list here: [Mailchimp link]

Support us

PGS is a registered charity, and can issue tax receipts for individual gifts. All donations go toward artist fees, producing events, and operational expenses.

Volunteer

The Poetry Gabriola Society is dedicated to supporting local artists, to bringing local, national and international poets and performers to Gabriola, and to connecting our community through events, workshops, performances and festivals.

We’re here because of you, and we want your involvement, in any form. Help us make a fundraiser a success, give us an hour a month to help with mail-outs, scout new talent, tell your friends about events. We have many different volunteer opportunities throughout the year. Please get in touch!

Partnerships

We work with many community organizations and businesses to produce projects. Recent community partners include Gabriola Commons, Gabriola Arts Council, Gabriola Museum, Nova Art & Craft Boutique, Surf Lodge, Gabriola Library.

Past projects have happened at Haven Institute, Gabriola Theatre, HIVE, Roxy Lounge, and in collaboration with Vancouver Island University, The Gathering Place Youth Centre, GROWLS, Dancing Man Music Festival, Women’s Institute Hall, Circle Craft Creative, and ArtWorks.

Board of Directors

Poetry Gabriola Society is a nonprofit, registered charity, governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. Current directors (2026 year):

• DB Boyko (co-Chair)
• Ilze Bebris (co-Chair)
• Alyssa Semczyszyn (Treasurer)
• Greg Blee (Secretary)
• Andreas Kahre
• Lynne Quarmby

Our AGM is normally held in February, but expressions of interest in joining the board are entertained all year.

Poetry Yurt

PGS constructed the Poetry Yurt on the Gabriola Commons in 2009, and operated it for many years as a unique, delightful venue for workshop, rehearsal and performance, along with meetings and teaching events.

The Poetry Yurt is now a Commons-owned venue. Full info on use and rental is now on the Commons website.