The Burnaby Arts Council is launching a first-of-its-kind exhibit for the public this weekend.
2014 Year in Review, to be displayed at its home (the Deer Lake Gallery), will feature a sample of visual art pieces from the last 12 months.
“After a five-minute discussion, we thought it was a good idea because so many of our members show their work here, but they don’t really get to see the other shows,” said council president Bill Thomson. “We’re going to have everything, from paintings to sculptures.”
Thomson added Burnaby’s artistic flair has shifted over the years, something he said will be evident at the viewing.
“When I first joined the council, I though it was conservative in terms of what I saw. But I’ve seen it progress quite a bit in the last year, with artists experimenting and many going in different directions.
“The education level has increased across the board, the age level has dropped too,” he said, adding teens as young as 11 years old have used the 750-sq.-ft. space to show off their stuff.
When asked about membership, Thomson told the NOW the council has maintained a steady pace (roughly 100 individual members and 40-some group members to date), but it could be higher. Part of the perks of being a member include receiving inside newsletters, invites to all events and a vote at the annual general meeting.
But it’s the cultural connections that are most beneficial, according to Thomson.
“The gallery plays a critical role in providing an entry point for emerging artists,” he said. “ It’s a venue that provides an opportunity that they wouldn’t necessarily get at the Burnaby Art Gallery.”
As of next year, the council will no longer be charging artists a fee for showcasing their work. Instead, subsidies will help offset that cost to make things more affordable.
The exhibition will run until Jan. 10, 2015. An opening reception runs Saturday, Dec. 6, from 2 to 4 p.m. Admission and parking is free. There will also be live entertainment and refreshments. Get there early because “more than 100 people will be a crowd.”
“It’s truly a great slice of the current cultural scene in the city right now,” Thomson said.
The gallery is located at 6584 Deer Lake Ave. For more information, visit burnabyartscouncil.org.
