Secret Salon Series


We are delighted to announce our Secret Salon Series, offering immersive cultural experiences that merge art, education, science, music, and nature in unexpected ways. Events are held at Secret Headquarters, our beautiful studio in East Vancouver, home to hundreds of enchanting lanterns as seen at our Annual Winter Solstice Festival.

Drawing from life and death

First Thursday of every month

August 1st, September 5th, October 3rd, November 7th

6:30 PM - 9:30 PM PST

 Since the dawn of human existence Nature has inspired curiosity and creativity. Join us in the lantern-lit environment of Secret Headquarters as we explore the mysteries of life and death, drawing animal artifacts illuminated by the light of pure beeswax candles. Artist and environmentalist Celina Starnes will offer natural history related to each animal to deepen your understanding of these sculptural forms as violinist Genevieve MacKay creates a gently inspiring musical environment.

Note: These drawing sessions will be held the first Thursday of every month, with a flat fee of $20, or sign up for 3 sessions for $50.

Event Notes / Be Prepared:

  • Bring your favourite drawing supplies or experiment with ours

  • This event is best suited for participants ages 11+

  • Complimentary tea & snacks, with additional beverages by donation

Your donation contributes directly to supporting our programming of cultural learning and artistic sharing. If you have financial barriers preventing you from purchasing a ticket, please email admin@secretlantern.org and we will do our best to accommodate you. We are sincerely grateful for all support.

Artist Bio

Celina Starnes’ day job is the Outreach Director at the Endangered Ecosystems Alliance, a national conservation organization. There, she is driving forward solutions to the biodiversity and climate crises by fostering meaningful collaboration across diverse stakeholders, accelerating conservation on a national scale. She grew up in Montreal, fully enjoying the city’s rich culture, as she started a career in visual arts. After completing schooling at the McGill School of Environment, she headed west to BC to start contributing to nature protection in creative ways. After the workday is done, she enjoys dreaming up novel ideas for nature-centred events that introduce people to ecology in fun and sometimes weird ways! These events are a throwback to her many years in environmental education as a tour guide at Ducks Unlimited, an events coordinator Metro Vancouver Parks, and as the public education manager at Stanley Park.

Getting Here: Secret Headquarters is located at 1398 East 3rd Avenue, Vancouver, BC. Bus # 22 is within walking distance; VCC Clark and Commercial Skytrain Stations are within 10 minutes' walk. Free parking on the street and in the large parking lot in the alley between 3rd and 4th.

Accessibility: Secret Headquarters is wheelchair and walker accessible. If you have specific accessibility needs, please get in touch with us at (778) 323-9489 or admin@secretlantern.org.

Omi, our lovely resident feline, loves to attend our gatherings. Please let us know if you have allergies and we will gently explain to him why he needs to stay home that night.