Lively City: Burnaby library hosts art talk

The Burnaby Public Library is giving you a chance to learn more about the life and work of two Canadian artists.

Lionel Thomas and Emily Carr: The Way "Beyond" Art, is on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the McGill branch.

Art historian and curator David Bellman will be on hand to discuss the work of both artists.

A library press release notes that Thomas (1915-2005) was a modernist artist and educator best known for his mosaic murals and public sculptures, which were commissioned across Canada. He taught at the Vancouver School of Art and co-founded UBC's fine arts department. His work continued the "experimental and socially engaged" tradition of Carr (1871-1945), a pioneer in modernist painting.

Bellman is the former chief curator of the McCord Museum in Montreal. He's an expert on the work of Carr, and his book The Innocence of Trees: Emily Carr + Agnes Martin, was published in 2010 by the University of British Columbia.

He has also written two museum monograph studies of Thomas's work, in addition to curating research exhibitions about Thomas for both UBC and the University of Calgary.

His talk is free, but space is limited, so you're asked to register online at www.bpl.bc.ca/events/mcgill, by calling 604-299-8955 or in person at the library.

The McGill library branch is at 4595 Albert St. in North Burnaby.

Selections from the Burnaby Art Gallery's collection of prints by Lionel Thomas are also on display at the McGill library until Nov. 4.

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Now's your chance to hear from some award-winning writers.

The Burnaby Writers' Society is hosting a special Spoken Ink evening, featuring the winners and runners-up from its annual contest. It's happening on Tuesday, Oct. 15 at La Fontana Caffe.

The theme of the contest was air, and it was open to both poetry and prose.

Julia Van Gorder captured first place for Closure 1966, with Caroline Wong taking second for On Thin Air and Clarissa P. Green third for Hurricane Watch.

Honourable mentions were without regret, by Daniela Elza, and The Space Between Notes, by M.S. Chapman.

Readings begin at 7 p.m. at La Fontana Caffe, 101-3701 Hastings St. in North Burnaby.

Spoken Ink is a reading series presented on the third Tuesday of each month. See www.burnabywritersnews.blogspot.com or contact [email protected] for more details.

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Want to get moving and have a little fun?

Everyone is invited to take part in line dancing at Deer Lake United Church.

Beginners are welcome, and the sessions are described as "moderate exercise for body and brain."

Sessions run Mondays at 10 a.m. at 5135 Sperling Ave.

Call Georgie Cole at 604-522-5647 for more details.

Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment ideas to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.