Ptarmigan Arts is proud to host Tapestry of Words: A festival celebrating story, writing, and literature. In the festival’s inaugural year, we are delighted to share an eclectic mix of events for all ages and interests. On the weekend of Saturday May 31 and Sunday May June 1, there will be a variety of events, free and ticketed. Take a look below to plan your festival!

In the lead up to the weekend we are excited to share additional programming:

The award-winning children and teens author Sheryl McFarlane will be leading workshops at the Pender Islands School on Tuesday, May 27, 2025.
The Art of Book Covers: on from late March to the end of the festival, we are partnering with the Pender Island Public Library’s Art in the Library program. Visit the library to take in a wide range of beautiful covers, all from local authors.

Stay tuned for more details about additional events and follow us on social media: @ptarmiganartsbc

Tickets & Passes

Saturday, May 31

Community Hall

11am Children's Magic Show, FREE

Join magician Leif David as the Pender Island Public Library pre-launches it's 2025 BC Summer Reading Club.

6-9:30pm IONA WHISHAW and CHIYOKTEN, Feature Presentation $25

Opening the evening will be a reading from The Spellweaver's Legacy, a collaborative YA Fantasy book written collaboratively by a group of Pender's youth, presented by Leslie McBain.

Iona Whishaw, award-winning author of the Globe and Mail bestselling Lane Winslow mystery series, will be reading and taking questions from her newly released book, Framed in Fire.

Paul Chiyokten Wagner, a traditional Coast Salish storyteller & flutist will bring us on a journey to another world in traditional story, song and flute music of his W̱SÁNEĆ heritage.

Sunday, June 1

Community Hall

10am-12pm Local Author Meet & Greet, FREE

Join us for a social gathering of local authors and readers. Mingle, share and get inspired! Open to the public. Local authors RSVP here! Ground floor.

11am-11:45am Community Speakeasy, FREE

Please join us upstairs for a special Tapestry Speakeasy. Enjoy hearing PENDER ISLAND writers read original work. We hope it entices you to come to our monthly Speakeasy at the Legion Hall!

10am-4pm Local Book Fair, FREE

On the main floor Talisman Books is hosting a pop-up bookshop, featuring the works of Iona Whishaw and our many local published authors. A great opportunity to discover a new author who may also be your neighbour!

12:30-3:30pm IONA WHISHAW WORKSHOP - The Craft of Writing $35

Whether you’ve never written or a seasoned pro, this workshop is a phenomenal opportunity to practice (or discover!) your craft with a best-selling author.

Based on what Iona has learned in the last decade of writing, the main focus of this workshop will look how to hone in on who you are as a writer. Learn what's in your tool box and how to use it. And what goes on between you and the reader? Whether you're a pantser or plotter, can you take some risks to make your writing and characters more immediate and engaging? Prepare for some very specific enjoyable exercises and sharing.

Please register and bring your writing materials!

Pender Island Public Library

10am Paul Chiyokten Wagner - Children's storytelling and music, FREE

The beautiful talented Chiyokten, a traditional Coast Salish storyteller & flutist, will share his talents with the children of S,DAYES.

11:15am Johnny Aitken & Jess Willows - Children’s reading, FREE

Pender is delighted to welcome back Mayne Islanders Johnny & Jess! They will read from their book Two Tricksters Find Friendship, based on their own friendship.