The time has come for a new art gallery in Burnaby.
That was at least the overwhelming sentiment Tuesday night at a public forum held to discuss the topic.
Dozens of residents and local artists turned out to the forum Tuesday night at the Shadbolt Centre to offer their opinions on the possibility of a new art gallery, and it was near unanimous in the crowd that the city needs a new art gallery.
The forum was sponsored by the Burnaby Arts Council as part of a new effort to gauge support for a new gallery in hopes of finally securing a facility.
A number of people spoke up to offer their thoughts and support, including local artist Maria Anna Parolin, who argued that as the city grows, the community needs to create a cultural centre to showcase the talented people here and to attract people from abroad.
She noted cities like Richmond and North Vancouver have sizable art galleries, as does Abbotsford, which recently opened a new 20,000-square-foot gallery.
A presentation by the arts council noted the current gallery, located in Ceperley House at Deer Lake, is only 1,700 square feet and can’t hold the city’s vast art collection of more than 5,000 pieces.
“We have these works we can show everyone,” Parolin said.
Resident Darcy Olson told the forum a new gallery is long overdue and suggested the new gallery should encourage the evolution of art, adding the space should be flexible.
“We have to serve the whole community,” he said.
The arts council has expressed the view that the current gallery has long outgrown the building and has limitations in a community that continues to keep growing.
Arts council member David Handelman was pleased by the turnout and support for a new gallery, and believes the message was sent to city council.
“There’s never going to be a better time than now,” he said.
“I’m convinced the public support is very, very real, and I hope our city politicians feel the same way.”
However, Handelman also acknowledged that going forward, the idea of a new gallery will need help – likely from the city – for it to become a reality.
He said the next step is to develop a strategic and business plan but pointed out the arts council doesn’t have the funds or expertise to do so.
Handelman is hoping the city will come to the table and offer resources to take the idea to the next step.
Coun. Nick Volkow came out to the forum to listen and afterwards said he understands the passion coming from the arts community on the issue.
But he suggested in other communities with larger galleries, support has also come out of the corporate community and from philanthropists.
“I think there’s another element that has to stick their head out of the foxhole and come forward,” he told the NOW.
Volkow also said while there is agreement that a new art gallery is needed, there is no consensus in the community on issues like the location.
“There’s a lot of work still to be done,” he said. “I’ve heard a good message here and I’ll be taking it back to council.”
The issue of a new gallery has been going on since the early 1970s, when a new art gallery was a priority and plans were made up.
In 1987, a proposed art gallery and performing arts theatre in civic square were part of the original plans beside the Bob Prittie library. Then in 1998, there was another plan for an art gallery expansion, and a feasibility study was completed, along with public support.
