Hello, it is another busy month at the Richmond Art Gallery. We are getting ready for the opening reception for the Wanda Koop exhibition (November 19) and the Vancouver Opera presentation of Opera with an Asian twist (November 21). We are also in the process of hiring a full-time curator for the Gallery (watch for an announcement in the near future!) and preparing for the big event in February 2010.

On the advocacy front, thank you to everyone who has sent a letter, email or otherwise contacted their MLA about funding for the arts in BC. It looks like good news might be coming as a result, but it is really important to continue the pressure until it is a sure thing. If you haven't already done so, please take a moment to contact your MLA and let them know how important this issue is to you and your family.

Must run! I look forward to seeing you at the Gallery.
Lynn Beavis.

Wanda Koop Face to Face
Guest Curator: Deborah Koenker
Opening Reception:
Thursday, November 19, 7 - 9 pm

Recognized for her landscapes, Koop's solo exhibition at the Richmond Art Gallery will present a little-known aspect of Koop's production: portraits and figures spanning nearly 25 years. Beginning with large-scale paintings of Chinese opera characters, the exhibition will include works developed from extensive notes and sketches recorded on Koop's first trip to China in 1986, and recent works on robotics.

This exhibition precedes and complements Koop's major exhibition at the National Gallery of Canada in 2011.

Image: Wanda Koop, Victim, 1985, acrylic on plywood; photo: Bruce Spielman

As part of its community outreach program the Richmond Art Gallery organizes exhibitions of quality art work for display in off-site venues such as the Gateway Theatre and Richmond City Hall. The current display at Richmond City Hall is drawn from the Art Gallery's permanent collection.

27 October - 17 November, 2009
City Hall
Landscapes from the Richmond Art Gallery Permanent Collection
During the 1700s Canadian art was predominantly formed of landscape views and images of the people and exotic objects found in Canada, produced for the art market in Europe.

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Gateway Theatre Mary Hall - Potential In Nature's Interfaces
This work seeks to express the feeling of nature. Not the way it looks, but the way it feels. The quality of energy - some calm, some swirling, some surging, some reaching, is important. There is vigor and optimism in the abundant local nature.

Volunteer Classroom Assistants needed
Work with the Art Gallery's Instructor as part of the School Art Program team. The Richmond Art Gallery's School Art Program offers Art Tours and Workshops to students from Pre School to Grade 12.
Must have:

• A keen interest in visual art and experience working with children.
• Excellent English comprehension skills. Other languages an asset (esp. French).
• Available to work "on-call" for a 2 or 3 hour shift during regular school hours (weekdays between 9am and 3pm).

School Program Coordinator Kathy Tycholis presented two Artist Trading Card workshops at the Inside_Out Conference hosted by the BC Art Teachers Association and Canadian Society for Education through Art. Artist Trading Cards were the key activity at the conference this year, and Kathy was invited to lend her expertise on the subject as the Gallery's Coordinator for Artist Trading Cards. The workshops introduced the ATCs at the RAG program to educators from all across Canada, promoting ATCs as an educational tool and fun art activity accessible to all ages.

Kathy Tycholis (School Program Coordinator) and Nan Capogna (Education and Public Programs Coordinator) collaborated with the Richmond School Board to host the 17th Annual Arts for Life Conference, a full-day visual arts event of professional artist presentations for Richmond high school students. This year's highlights included key-note presentation by documentary film-maker Susanne Tabata, an Artist Trading Card activity, and a lively panel discussion to close the day. We would like to thank all the artists who participated in this year's conference, the teachers and students who attended, and to Opus Framing and Art Supplies for donating door prizes. To see the programme details, go to: www.richmondartgallery.org/artsforlife.php

Artist panel: (from left) Lisa Birke, Bill Pechet, Gail Conzatti (photo by Ilsoo MacLaurin)

October 30 was a lively evening in the Gallery! The night began with an artist presentation by exhibiting artist Paul Kajander, followed up by a large ATC Trading Session, in which all the ATCs from the exhibition were up for trade. Over 80 ATC traders from all over the Lower Mainland, Vancouver Island, Washington State and visitors from as far away as Norway came for the frenzied trading action. Special thanks to all the volunteers who assisted with the trading that night, and to Leanne Bishop of "Ruby Dog's Art House" for donating some of the fabulous door prizes! More information on ATCs at the RAG: www.richmondartgallery.org/atcs/atc. php

Frank & Liwei Xiao
Mina Yuen
John Sayer
Yuk Ying Hung
Howard Ku
Deirdre Whalen
Sibeal Foyle & Peter Pierrobon
Cate B. Boudreau
Behnaz Behzadi
Leonard Rivero
Jun Hu
Stephen Tsuen
Kristina Lacson
Jean Garnett
Karine Lin
Barry Magrill
Richard Woo