Oh, what art she weaves The creations of Gabriela Diaconu demonstrate that a tapestry loom can be just as artistic as a painter’s canvas. Trained in Rumania at Bucharest’s Academy of Fine Arts, Diaconu presents a show called Colours of French Poetry at the Amelia Douglas Gallery from November 1 to December 16. The exhibition will feature tapestries in the style of 19th Century pieces from the Aubusson region of France as well as creations with a more modern flavor. What’s important is showing tapestry makers as artists as well as artisans. Diaconu says tapestries are widely exhibited in European galleries but in Canada are often perceived as craft objects, not objects of art. “T want to show that tapestry is not just weaving, it can be an art,” she says. Indeed. Diaconu begins by sketching or using stamps or small drawings as models for her creations. Pieces may take up to six months to complete and feature techniques which make bold use of color, shadow and form. Her works have already been featured in shows at Granville Island galleries and other Lower Mainland locations. : To show how her creative process works, Diaconu will present a gallery talk and demonstration on November 17 at 12:15 pm. An opening reception will be held on November 3, from 4 pm to 8pm. In other arts news, the Douglas College Theatre and Stagecraft departments offer two productions which begin in late November. The Performing Arts Theatre will feature The Diviners by Jim Leonard, Jr. Set in a small Indiana farming community. during the Depression, the story follows an innocent teenage boy and his friendship with a disenchanted and out-of-work ex- preacher. Evening performance at 8 pm on November 25, 26, 27 (two for one), 29, 30, December 1, 2 and 3; two-for-one matinee on December 3 at 2 pm. Our Country’s Good by Timberlake Wertenbaker will be performed at the Performing Arts Studio and examines the transformation of a Englishman condemned to the Australian penal colony in the 18th Century. Evening perfor- mances at 8 pm on November 18, 19, 20, 22, 23-26; two-for-one matinee at 2 pm on November 26. For reservations or information for either show call 527-5488. fl Jamie Gunn of IMS (right) works with two members of the Nicaraguan Institute for Popular Education and Research (INIEP). Gunn and Tom Childs of Learning Resources spent September 17 to October 1 in Nicaragua providing communications media training as part of a joint Douglas College-INIEP educational project. Counsellors organize B.C. ACCC seeks conference nominees Douglas College counsellors organized a very successful conference on the October 12-14 weekend at Whistler. The event attracted more than 50 members of the College and institution Counsellors Association from around the province. Delegates discussed career counselling issues and learned more about Skills Now opportunities for students through presentations from Ministry of Skills, Training and Labour representatives. BCGSEU gets new office The Douglas College local of the BC Government and Services Employees’ Union has moved its office from Room 3100 to a permanent location in Room 0609 of the New Westminster campus. Office hours will be finalized in several months after elections for a full roster of union stewards. The Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) is calling for its national Awards Program. Individual and institutional achievements will be honored in six categories of Excellence: Teaching, Program, Internationalization, Leadership, Student Leadership and Staff. Nominations must be received at the ACCC Secretariat by December 2, 1994. For more information on submitting nominations, please consult with your dean or the President’s office. New art on display The Art Exhibit Committee is pleased to announce the purchase of Old Green House, an acrylic on canvas from the recent exhibition entitled Urban Primitive by Michael Mancuso. The painting now hangs in the Audio-Visual section of the College library.