The Arts Council of Surrey’s annual summer juried exhibition opened May 20 at Surrey Art Gallery (SAG).
Admission is free at the Bear Creek Park gallery, where the “Arts 2023” exhibit of 50 diverse works can be viewed until Aug. 13, with a celebration planned July 8.
Now in its 39th year, the art showcase focuses on a variety of talents from across the Lower Mainland.
An indication of its popularity, this year the “Arts” show fielded 201 entries from 98 individual artists in the five categories of painting, drawing/mixed media, sculpture/fiber art, photography and digital/new media.
Displayed throughout SAG, the winning entries range from AI-generated visuals to commemorate the “Komagata Maru” incident to paintings of nature. Visitors are invited to vote for the People’s Choice Award that will be announced at the gallery’s July 8 event.
The “Arts 2023” jury consisted of South Surrey-based interdisciplinary artist Polly Gibbons, artist and arts educator Paul Pahal and Surrey Art Gallery Learning and Access Programmer Avishka Lakwijaya.
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Arts Council of Surrey president Carol Girardi says art “makes us think, feel and see the many aspects of our world from different perspectives. This exhibit shows us what art is to community and what art will grow to be in the future. It gives us all a chance to connect, examine, and understand who we are and what moves us.”
This summer, the juried exhibit will be shown at the gallery along with “The Deep and the Shallows” (opening June 24) and “Invisible Fish” (June 4).
The latter focuses on works from Salish artists early in their careers. The exhibition borrows its title from a Joy Harjo poem that speaks to the spirit of this group show: familial and community connections centered around waterways.
Textile objects and images by Surrey’s Diane Roy are featured in “The Deep and the Shallows.”
“Fusing art, science, and mythology, Roy’s art reminds us of the wonders of the biodiversity around us,” explains a post on the gallery’s website. “’The Deep and the Shallows’ presents the largest retrospective of this artist’s work to date. Born and raised in Quebec and based in Surrey since the early 1980s, Roy has developed a unique voice over the course of decades of her fibre-based sculpture practice.”
Ending June 4 at SAG is the Charles Campbell installation “An Ocean to Levity,” and the “Masi Medicine: Joyful Nourishment” exhibit will close June 18.
Also at the gallery, a Family Day event celebrates creativity Sunday, June 4 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. during a free, drop-in, hands-on event (children must be with an adult). Upon arrival, participants will be invited to make an Art Monster booklet that will help to navigate the gallery and learn about artworks. The booklet will include a search-and-find activity as well as other challenges. For each challenge completed, participants will receive an art monster stamp.
At 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., 30-minute interactive drum performances will be led by KUNDA, a music/dance ensemble from Africa. Free tickets can be picked up on arrival to reserve a spot.
A dedicated sensory-friendly space encourages visitors “to get creative with different materials in a supportive environment,” an event advisory notes. “Resources like noise-cancelling headphones, squishy seats, and inclusive art kits, as well as support staff, will be around to facilitate a comfortable and relaxed exploration.”
tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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