An invitation is out for Port Coquitlam residents looking to get a foot in the door of the local arts.
And there's a common theme to the three events involved: how grants and investments can help kickstart your own art exhibition.
The city is welcoming interested participants Thursday night (April 21) to the Michael Wright Art Gallery in Leigh Square.
The events, at one hour a piece, include a general information session on grant applications, a networking hour with members of the Port Coquitlam Community Foundation and a behind-the-scenes look of five short films made possible by grant funding.
"The films explore the daily practices and lives of each artist, learning what drives them to create, why art is meaningful and what happens behind the art we see being produced," reads a statement sent to the Tri-City News.
With COVID-19 restrictions now eased, such as the mask and proof-of-vaccination mandates, local residents will also be able to celebrate a series of featured artists already at the PoCo gallery:
- Art Focus Artists' Association: Beyond Visions and Vistas
- Sepideh Saba: Far from the Shallow
- Vera Sidorova: The Tranquility
The three events are slated for between 5 and 8 p.m. on Thursday with refreshments included.
Those interested in one or all of them must register in advance by emailing arts@portcoquitlam.ca.
A detailed schedule is as follows:
- Grant information session
- 5 to 6 p.m. in the Gathering Place (Michael Wright Art Gallery)
- Port Coquitlam Community Foundation and City of Port Coquitlam to outline upcoming funding opportunities
- Premiere: Behind the Scenes
- 6 to 7 p.m.
- Five visual artists in five short films
- Michael King, Sarah Ronald, Elvira Monteforte, Dizz McGruber and Olive Chan
- Spearheaded by artist Melissa Burgher with the support of Port Coquitlam's city community cultural development grant
- Closing reception for spring art exhibitions
- 7 to 8 p.m.
For more information, you're encouraged to visit the City of Port Coquitlam's website.
