Events

Submissions are in and we are excited to welcome you to the 2026 Brain Art Contest Showcase! The showcase is free and open to the public. 

We've received 30 paintings, poems, sculptures, short stories, songs, and more pieces of art exploring how community and culture shape our mental well-being. 

We invite you to come enjoy the art and vote for your favourite!

When: June 8-12, 10am-4pm daily
Where: The Audain Gallery, Visual Arts Building, UVic

Brain Art 2026 is co-hosted by UVic’s Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health and the Faculty of Fine Arts.

Prizes: Prizes: A $100 gift card will be awarded to one individual in each age category selected by a committee. In addition, a $100 gift card will be awarded to the People's Choice Award, voted on by the public in attendance at the showcase.

What is Brain Art all about?

This year’s Brain Art Contest theme invites you to explore how community and culture shape our mental well-being across the lifespan. Through art, we ask questions such as: How does belonging support mental health? What do inclusive communities look and feel like? How do our connections evolve as we age?

We’re interested in artwork that reflects resilience, vulnerability, healing, ritual, care, and support — the shared human experiences that connect us to one another.

Artists of all ages and abilities are invited to submit work in any form, including visual (paintings, sculptures, drawings), written (poetry, short stories), performance-based (theatre, dancing, singing), or digital (photography, video).

Participants enter by categories:

• Young Creators (12 years & under)
• Teen & Youth Visions (13–24 years)
• Adult Reflections (25+ years)  

Who can enter?

Everyone! Open to all members of the community — whether you're a UVic student, faculty, staff, or a local resident. No artistic experience needed!

Seed Funding Research Showcase

Discover how seed funding sparks new ideas, collaborations, and early-stage research at the UVic Institute on Aging & Lifelong Health (IALH).

Join us for IALH’s inaugural Seed Funding Showcase, an in-person evening gathering featuring presentations from the three researchers awarded pilot study funding in 2025. Each will share their innovative projects and insights in a 25-minute presentation.

 Presenters:

• Dr. Farah Mawani
  Assistant Professor, Public Health and Social Policy, Michael Smith Health Research BC Scholar
  
  Topic: Moving From Understanding to Addressing Social Exclusion and Mental Health Inequities Experienced by Pregnant and Parenting Adolescents in Rwanda 
  
  
• Matilde Cervantes Navarrete
  PhD Student, Interdisciplinary Studies
  
  Topic: Intergenerational Wisdom: Weaving Art, Indigenous Knowledge, Climate Justice and Open Hearts for Planetary Health Futures
  
  
• Sasha Zinovich 
  PhD Student, Sociology
  
  Topic: Examining Medical Assistance in Dying and Dementia Discourse and Future Directions for Research 

This is a wonderful opportunity to:

• Learn about new and emerging research ideas supported through seed funding
• Ask questions and engage in conversation about research on aging and lifelong health
• Connect with the IALH research community

Date: Wednesday, June 17, 2026
Time: 5:30–7:00 p.m. PT
Location: SUB Upper Lounge, University of Victoria
Cost: Free community talk (all are welcome)
Refreshments: Light appetizers and refreshments will be served

Registration required. Reserve your ticket now through Eventbrite

Realist Review Workshop

July 3, 9am-4pm
University Club, UVic
$25 (Includes Lunch)

Defy Dementia 

Tuesday, July 7, 2026
In-person & virtual

Baycrest Academy for Research and Education is co-hosting their next Defy Dementia on the Road event at the University of Victoria University Club in partnership with University of Victoria Institute on Aging and Lifelong Health, Island Health, and Alzheimer Society of BC & Yukon. The event will be in-person (and live streamed) and co-hosted by Jay Ingram and Dr. Allison Sekuler (President and Chief Scientist at the Baycrest Academy for Research & Education and the Centre for Aging + Brain Health Innovation). The event will include a brief overview of the modifiable risk factors of dementia and the Defy Dementia initiative, a panel Q&A with people with lived experience and dementia experts, and an audience Q&A. We will be focused on providing our audience with actionable strategies to support their brain health and aging journey. After the 90-minute formal program, in-person audience members are welcome to stay and interact with demonstration booths with resources and the latest research and innovations in aging, brain health, and dementia from the local BC ecosystem.

The Better Choices, Better Health® Online Self-Management Program, is the online version of the internationally recognised Chronic Disease Self-Management Program, developed and tested at the Stanford University Patient Education Centre. 

This is a free, six-session, asynchronous web-based program offered on a dedicated website that meets government privacy requirements. It is open to BC adults of all ages living with one or more ongoing health conditions.   A computer and internet connection are required; no web-cams needed; and participants do not need to be online at the same time.

In this group (max. 25 participants), moderated by two trained peer facilitators, you will learn about:

• Techniques to deal with problems such as frustration, fatigue, pain and isolation
• Appropriate exercise for maintaining and improving strength, flexibility, and endurance
• Appropriate use of medications
• Communicating effectively with family, friends, and health professionals
• Healthy eating
• Making informed treatment decisions
• Disease-related problem solving
• Advanced directives

The Better Choices, Better Health Program enhances regular treatment and disease-specific education.

Sessions are highly participative through internal messaging and online discussion boards. Log in at your convenience for about 1.5 to 2 hours per week.

Weekly activities include:

• Reading
• Making and posting a weekly action plan
• Participating in problem-solving and guided exercises on bulletin boards
• Participating in self-tests and activities

To register, see https://www.selfmanagementbc.ca/betterchoices 

For more information please visit www.selfmanagementbc.ca or call TOLL FREE: 1-866-902-3767