Tom Argue has his father-in-law to thank for his new lease on life.
In 2000, after two decades as a buyer in the fish industry on Vancouver Island, in Vancouver and at Haida Gwaii, Argue decided to pack it in and try his hand at being a professional carver.
He was inspired to give the trade a go by his wife’s dad Fred Watmough, a master carver in Queen Charlotte City, Haida Gwaii.
Before then, Argue had only putted at carving, using primarily wood and stone.
But, over the years, as his confidence grew — and he started to make a home with his family in Coquitlam — Argue turned to a green mineral held precious by many British Columbians: jade.
Now, Argue is plying his craft as the city of Port Coquitlam’s new artist-in-residence — a term he’ll carry at the Leigh Square Community Arts Village until Dec. 21.
During his tenure, Argue will employ some King Mountain and Kutcho Jade donated by Kirk Makepeace from the Jade West Mining Group (he met Makepeace through a fellow carver); as well, he will carve other natural materials such as marble, agate, yew wood, yellow cedar and BC coral.
Argue said jade appeals to him “because it allows me to play with its delicacy and colour,” he told The Tri-City News on Monday. “The formation is good, too. It can be really thin but it’s strong at the same time…. Not all jade is created equal.”
Argue classifies himself as an emerging artist who has only handled jade for about three years. Still, he’s looking forward to producing a new sculpture collection at Leigh Square this fall (as of Monday, he had already carved four small items).
And, on Saturday, from 2 to 6 p.m., he’ll lead a free public demonstration at the Gathering Place, also at Leigh Square (a second demo is scheduled for Dec. 12). Argue will use machines to carve little objects like pendants.
But if Tri-City residents can’t make it the class, he welcomes guests to drop in to his workshop weekdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., except Thursdays.
• Artists wanting to apply for a PoCo residency next year can call the city parks and recreation department at 604-927-8400 or email arts@portcoquitlam.ca.
jwarren@tricitynews.com
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