Oxygen Art Centre will present an exhibition by illustrator and writer Bethany Pardoe entitled The Small Earth.
On view in the O2 vitrine exhibition space from Nov. 22, 2025, to Jan. 16, 2026, The Small Earth features sketchbook pages and illustrations that shape the cosmology of a graphic novel in progress.
Pardoe is a traditional illustrator and writer with a bachelor of fine arts from Emily Carr University of Art and Design. From picture books to graphic novels, she writes and illustrates fantastical stories inspired by growing up, in her words, “as an odd duck.”
Imbued with elements of nature and personal folklore, her art and narratives are intended for people who “feel things deeply.” Pardoe currently lives and works in Vancouver, B.C., and grew up in Nelson before moving to the coast to attend post-secondary school.
The exhibition presents a selection of Pardoe’s works-in-progress, offering insight into the emerging artist’s creative praxis and world-building for her forthcoming graphic novel. Selections include pages created during her residency at the Banff Centre’s Comics and Graphic Novels program.
Located on the Stanley Avenue side of the Nelson Trading Company building (430 Baker St.) in downtown Nelson, the O2 is a window-turned-gallery that serves as an extension of Oxygen Art Centre’s contemporary art programming.
The Small Earth will be on public view at the O2 from Nov. 22, 2025, to Jan. 16, 2026.
This program is supported by the Canada Council for the Arts, the B.C. Arts Council, the Vancouver Foundation and the Regional District of Central Kootenay ReDi program. Special thanks to Hall Printing for their support in realizing the exhibition.
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