How do we come to understand a place through second-hand accounts?
Artist Hannah Campbell is exploring that question in a new exhibition at the Burnaby Arts Council's Deer Lake Gallery.
Arctic Fiction opens Feb. 1 and runs until Feb. 22.
Hannah is an artist and environmental activist from Vancouver who took part in an Arctic Circle residency in 2013, travelling aboard a tall ship along the coast of Svalbard, Norway.
Arctic Fiction features photographs from her journey, accompanied by the storytelling of strangers. She posts her photographs through online classified ads, asking strangers to interpret them through fiction.
"Here she explores how we come to understand place through second-hand accounts," explains a press release. "By exploring the mythic quality associated with the Arctic, she challenges the viewer to negotiate truth withint he places many of us only come to know through photographs."
Intrigued? The Deer Lake Gallery is at 6584 Deer Lake Ave. You're invited to pop by the opening reception to meet Hannah - it runs 2 to 4 p.m. this Saturday, Feb. 1.
The gallery is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m., and admission is free.
Call 604-298-7322 or email [email protected] for more information. You can also check out the arts council website at www.burnabyartscouncil.org.
*
The Cameron Seniors Sunshine Sing-along is looking for musicians.
The group meets on alternating Mondays from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. at Cameron Recreation Centre, 9523 Cameron St.
It gives people a chance to sing along to old-time favourites with friends.
Volunteer musicians are being sought to play piano, drums and other instruments. The group has a piano and a drum set for musicians to use.
Its upcoming sessions are on Feb. 3, Feb. 17, March 3, March 17 and March 31.
For more information, contact Sue McIntyre, seniors' program coordinator, at 604-297-4453 or email [email protected].
*
A Burnaby artist is helping to save Canada's wetlands.
Denis Mayer Jr. has been selected for inclusion in Ducks Unlimited Canada's National Art Portfolio.
His work, Home Sweet Home, is part of this year's new portfolio of work that will receive national exposure through the organization.
The work shows a young black bear in a tree.
"Being a father, I know the importance of providing children with a safe and comfortable home," Mayer Jr. explains in an artist statement online. "A mother bear also wants her children to feel safe in the forest, surrounded by massive, moss-lined trees, overgrown bushes loaded with fresh berries, wild and sweet and possibly a bee hive dripping with honey. In this painting, I wanted to portray this juvenile black bear being perfectly content to climb this half-rotten tree to contemplate its future. Soon he will be full grown and remembering all the good lessons its mother taught him."
Every year, hundreds of artists from across the continent submit their artwork for a chance to have it made into limited edition prints. The money raised from the art portfolio program supports Ducks Unlimited's habitat conservation projects, research, education programs and public policy work.
Check out more at www.ducks.ca.
*
Dancing makes you smarter.
That's the message from Georgie Cole, who's offering line dancing every Monday at Deer Lake United Church hall.
Beginners are welcome.
The sessions are held at 10 a.m. on Mondays. Call Georgie at 604-522-5647 for information.
*
Here's an early heads-up for choral music lovers.
Mark Saturday, March 8 on your calendars - that's the day that the Amabilis Singers are bringing Of Heaven and Earth to the stage.
The concert pays witness "to the sacred wonders of the earth and the heavens," as a note from the choir explains.
"Discover how our world inspired the gifted pens of Austrian composer Gustav Mahler and America's Morten Lauridsen. Hear the heartbreaking poetry of Sara Teasdale find voice in a stunningly beautiful setting by Frank Ticheli. And how did Leonardo da Vinci's dreams of flying inspire choral superstar Eric Whitacre?"
The concert will also feature the premiere of a new work by artistic director Ramona Luengen, based on the prayer of Padre Pio.
Of Heaven and Earth runs at 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 8 at New Westminster Christian Reformed Church, 8255 13th Ave. in Burnaby.
Tickets are $20, or free for children under 12. Call 604-437-9200 or buy from choir members; they will also be available at the door.
See www.AmabilisSingers.org for more details.
(Author disclaimer: Yes, I sing with Amabilis. You'll find me in the alto ranks, so if you come to the concert, be sure to say hi!)
*
Got an idea for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment stories to Julie, [email protected]. You can also find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
