Here and happy, but still looking for a home

Dörte, Matt, Wilhelm aka Wild Bill and Miss Heidi Bee and Fritz Dawg Barker at the skate park. (Art photos by @freeburdscreative Névé Petersen)

I MADE THE MOVE

Dörte Barker grew up in Potsdam – Germany’s idyllic province of Brandenburg. As a child she often wandered through Park Sanssouci built by the Prussian King Friedrich.

Her family would drive two hours to the Baltic Sea so they could swim in the ocean. When they wanted to hike, they would drive eight hours to the Alps so they could tackle the mountains. She studied visu al communication, product design and media at the Bauhaus University and works as a graphic artist. She met her husband Matt on the Creekside bus in 2008 when skiing at Whistler.

Why did you choose to move to qathet?

Dörte • We moved to qathet because of the whales!

When? Where from?

Dörte • We moved to qathet in November 2020 from Pem berton Meadows.

What surprised you once you moved here?

Dörte • I was surprised to meet Canadians who speak fluent German in my new community.

What made you decide to move to qathet?

Dörte • The ocean was calling.

Where is your favourite place in qathet?

Dörte • The Lund Harbour.

Dörte creates washable paintings on clothing (Follow her on Instagram: @doertebarker.)

Art photos by @freeburdscreative Névé Petersen

How did you first hear about qathet?

Dörte • I discovered qathet while visiting my sister-in-law and her first baby daughter 16 years ago.

What would make qathet a nicer community?

Dörte • The skatepark update that the qathet skateboard society is proposing would be nice as our family uses the park regularly and it tends to get crowded quickly.

What aspect of your previous community do you think would benefit qathet?

Dörte • A place to showcase qathet’s local artists would be great; an art institute.

What challenges did you face in trying to make a life for yourself here?

Dörte • We’re still trying to find a house that we can call our forever home.

Dörte creates washable paintings on clothing (Follow her on Instagram: @doertebarker.)

Art photos by @freeburdscreative Névé Petersen

If you were mayor, what would you do?

Dörte • If I was mayor of Powell River I would swim a lot!

What are qathet’s best assets?

Dörte • I love king tides and the eclectic art scene.

What is your greatest extravagance?

Dörte • Riding my dirtbike, taking time for my art and exploring with my children. My dirtbike, a KX 125.

Which superpower would you most like to have?

Dörte • I’d like to be able to turn into a mermaid.