Celebration of the Arts in British Columbia

A wide variety of visual and performing arts were showcased at the recent “ReCreate” Art Show at New Westminster (B.C.) Christian Reformed Church.

A daytime art gallery included displays of visual art from 32 artists from several churches in the region. Watercolor and acrylic paintings ,were intermingled with photography, fabric arts, and hand-made jewellery and cards, many of which were offered for sale. The evening event featured 15 musical and literary artists. Hands-on workshops kept the children busy.

This is the second year the church has hosted the event, which is organized by a group of artistic church members. Shelley DeGroot explained that the artists were required to show new work only, and that this year’s event included many different artists from the prior year. Fellow organizer Marianne Jansma added that she was happy to again see a good mix of styles and a range of artists of different ages.

Artist Emma Haak from Abbotsford had done a variety of crafts for many years but began oil painting about eight years ago. “It’s a way to express God-given creativity,” she said, “and I want to do it well, as unto the Lord.”

Each artist seemed to come to the event with a different personal story. Beth Balcourt has been creating art all her life, but “ReCreate” was her first time showing her art, while Merril Hall is involved in many public art initiatives and regularly shows her paintings. “My art expresses a talent that comes from God,” Balcourt said, “but it also is very therapeutic and stress-relieving.”

Surrey Christian School art students Angelica Malagon and Leonard Noort had several pieces on display, as well as Carver Christian High School students Andrea Beunk and Courtney Vanee and their art teacher, Fiona Moes Pel, ensuring that there will be plenty of new art to come in the future.