issue 10// vol 45 Arts Strategy Taskforce's Open House and Workshop Eh Rw AA CO ees ‘Face It!’ boasts intricate embroidery >» New Westminster arts services event recap Naomi Ambrose Staff Writer lhe New Westminster Arts Strategy Taskforce held an Open House and Workshop on Saturday, October 27 at the Anvil Centre Theatre. The event was an occasion for artists, art enthusiasts, and community-building enthusiasts to come together to discuss a revised arts strategy for New Westminster—with a mix of chances for exploration, conversations, and participation. The exploration began in the lobby, where attendees had an opportunity to explore the content written on nine easels that were symmetrically lined up across the theatre lobby. For lovers of colour, the visual display—which showed key details about the New Westminster Arts Strategy—was a thrill. The display incorporated colour with big and bold Helvetica-esque fonts to highlight key information about the Arts Strategy’s background, goals, and policy framework. The layout served as a good technique to awaken attendees’ curiosity about the Arts Strategy. The exploration continued inside the theatre where admirers of architecture were in awe of the vastness and architectural design of the theatre. The circular feel of the space, combined with the round tables and chairs placed throughout, felt reminiscent of a Renaissance-inspired spirit. Event participant Sandra Walton, a trained costume and set designer who has also worked as a theatre designer and booking manager, shared her insights about the dialogues, conversations, and participatory feel of the event. “I think the opportunity for all voices to be heard [...] is really important,” said Walton in an in- person interview with the Other Press. David Vivian, another attendee who is an artist, theatre designer, and educator, also shared his insights. “As an artist and educator and as someone who's really interested in participating in conversations Photos by Billy Bui and mixed media works > ‘Face It! exhibit by Ornella Maruccio-Belhomme Sonam Kaloti Arts Editor €€Tace It!” is an exhibit in the Amelia Douglas Gtallery by Ornella Maruccio-Belhomme. It is a collection of mixed media art being showcased from October 25 to December 15. Maruccio- Belhomme was born in Italy and comes from a creative background, since her father was also an artist. Being an independent artist, Maruccio-Belhomme’s work has only been presented in private galleries in Italy, Belgium, the UK, and now Canada. My initial impression of the gallery was that many of the pieces are not very intricate in design but rather are intricate in usage of media. Maruccio-Belhomme uses complex stylistic decisions to add a certain pop to each piece. In her artist statement she says she plays with “forms and materials [...] until [she reaches] a final composition,’ which will represent a definition of perfection. Many of the canvas works play with a technique in which a face is tiled over the same face so that it looks layered. Designs are also layered in places where the focal design may be swirls of glitter, but within those swirls are barely distinguishable squiggles of pen. The pieces are arranged almost in an alternating order of mediums. Many of the larger works are hand-quilted pieces. Some of these are adorned with colourful strings [...] [the event was] a really interesting opportunity to get involved, to contribute to the conversations, and to help to create the future for us here in New Westminster,” said Vivian to the Other Press. The opportunity to contribute to the conversation and direction of the city’s Art Strategy was further evident with the items that were present on the round tables. Each table had a white flip card with a theme that was affiliated with the goals of the Arts Strategy. Every table also had a large, chart-like white sheet of paper titled “Implementation Arts Strategy 2018-2023 Workplan”. Each chart focused on one theme and had additional information about the intention and tactics connected to the theme. Attendees were encouraged to discuss the workplan and to share their feedback or suggestions. Instead of using the usual tools in an artist’s toolbox such as paint, paintbrushes, stencils, pencils, and blank sheets, and fabrics, while others present sewn-in beads as the focal point of the piece. All the quilts showcase intricate hand embroidery, with thin threads being used as very fine lines for large-scale images and designs. My favourite quilt is Buio Profondo, which is a 20-1/2” by 26” piece. The piece contains three dangling fabrics from a bamboo stick. The middle fabric is the focus of the piece, occupied by a detailed image of what appears to be a woman’s wide-eyed face. Her expression seems to bea mix between fear and judgement. The details of this piece are composed of threads but also beads, glitters, and paints overtop and surrounding the thread. The small floral fabrics dangling on the sides of the main fabric add an air of mystery to the piece, as does the theme of shades of blue. I can't help but feel watched by the woman’s beaded eyes as I make my way around the gallery. Other works in the gallery are also very mixed in media. Pieces include pasted cut- outs of paper and combinations of glitter with paints, papers, and pens. The range of paintings and canvases are also incredible, ranging from oil paintings, paint on glass, paint on metal, and ink tape on cardboard. There are tiled collages of different parts of faces with an abstract initial look, but the composition really does come together and is easy to look at and interpret. There is definitely a feeling of perfection looking at these pieces—it is hard to tell what they could possibly be missing. Image via NewWestCity.ca attendees also shared their insights on a “Parking Lot” easel by using other tools such as multicoloured sticky notes and markers to attach their feedback on the easel. For lovers of innovation, the Parking Lot easel was an interesting way to embrace ideas and innovation. A parking lot is a space whetre different car brands and sizes come together. This Parking Lot easel was a unique artistic method, incorporating the traditional purpose of a parking lot into an arts community forum. For believers in and creators of art and community-building initiatives, the New Westminster Arts Strategy Taskforce’s Open House and Workshop was a reminder about the importance of community dialogue. The event highlighted the intersectionality of art and conversations, which ultimately helps to shape the future of art and communities.