Every week for 35 years, Coquitlam's Suite E Life Drawing Group has been putting graphite pencil or charcoal to paper as it interprets unclothed professional models.
But, for its upcoming exhibit that opens tomorrow (Thursday) at Place des Arts, the 50-member club decided to add a bit of spice to its resume - not just in its focus but also in the media it uses while in life drawing sessions.
"We wanted to do something other than specifically figuratives," spokesperson Tracey Costescu said. "We wanted a theme to be what we see in everyday life, and how we transform that into something more and give it a bit of beauty."
The result of their collaboration - to be shown from July 12 to Aug. 4 at the Maillardville centre - is called Around the Inlet, a collection of multi-media artwork from 11 members who show landscapes, birds and, of course, nautical images around the Port Moody Inlet.
The 11 participating artists are:Costescu,Joyce Evans,Yoshi Kamei,Adrienne Peacock,Myda Schmidt,Christina Yurchuk,Irene LaCharite,Sahar McCullough,Diane Norrie,Don Portelance andShelley Ross.
Costescu said Suite E used to exhibit annually at Place des Arts; however, now they're allowed to show every other year to make space for other local talent. In the time in between, Suite E uses other venues such as Port Coquitlam's Leigh Square Community Arts Village - not only to display its pieces but also to get the word out about what it does.
"We especially like showing at Place des Arts because they have a lot of students around and we want to encourage them to join our group," she said, adding, "Studying the human form is never boring."
The opening reception for Around the Inlet starts at 6 p.m. on Thursday, July 12 at Place des Arts (1122 Brunette Ave.) Admission is free. Visit www.placedesarts.ca.
Meanwhile, Suite E will host a six-hour sustained workshop (with the model resting every 30 minutes after holding a pose) for new and experienced artists on July 21 in the Howe Room at the Poirier community centre (630 Poirier St., Coquitlam). The cost is $45. To sign up, email [email protected] or visit MyArtClub.Com/Suite.E.
