The first group show at the Port Moody Arts Centre for the city's largest art organization will open on Thursday.
But the celebration will have a sad note as one of the exhibiting members from the Port Moody Arts Association recently passed away.
PMAC gallery co-ordinator Janice Cotter said the family of Dumitru Barliga this week dropped off three pieces for the display; they will be hung in memory of his masterful skill, she said.
The Romanian native was well known for his watercolour depictions of the region. His website shows landscapes of Port Moody including Shoreline Park, forest trails, Clarke Street, Rocky Point Park and the station museum.
There are also scenes of the Barnet Marine Park, Belcarra Park, Stanley Park, White Rock and Whistler.
Barliga was a supporting member of the Federation of Canadian Artists and a member of the PoMo Art Association.
For the PMAA show, his work will be up among the 66 paintings in oil, watercolour and acrylic from 30 artists - many of whom are members of other Tri-City art organizations such as the Suite E Life Drawing Group, Passionate Outdoor Painters and Art Focus Artists' Association.
Titled Artist's Choice, the display was juried by Sue Cowan, a faculty member at Place des Arts in Coquitlam.
The opening reception for Artist's Choice is Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Port Moody Arts Centre (2425 St. John's St.). Admission is free and refreshments will be served. The show runs until April 10.
