As we settle into the summer we are busily preparing for not only the next few months, but also into 2011, moving the Gallery forward on many fronts. The summer exhibition, Strange Nature featuring the work of Jennifer Angus, Mary Anne Barkhouse and Robin Ripley, is opening this Thursday, June 24 from 7-9 pm. The show looks fantastic, so be sure to get over to see it. Nan Capogna, the Gallery's Educational Program Coordinator, has been working with the Richmond Food Security Society organizing a special event for Saturday, August 28 (1-4pm) that will feature an artist talk and tour with Robin Ripley, as well as a plant exchange, info session and more. We are also looking forward to another fun-filled season of art camps. We're happy to announce that Nathalie and Susannah have rejoined us this year and are already at work putting together a great schedule of activities for the children. In addition, our new Curator, Renato da Silva, is busy working on our coming years' programming, looking at the permanent collection, and making contacts in the community. The Board of Directors is at work as well, in areas such as membership, volunteers, fundraising, community relations, and so much more! Enjoy your summer and I hope we see you at the Gallery.

Lynn Beavis
Director

Would you like to get more involved with the Richmond Art Gallery?
www.richmondartgallery.org/volunteer.php

My name is Renato Rodrigues da Silva, and I am pleased and honoured to join the City of Richmond as the new Curator of the Richmond Art Gallery. I hold a Bachelor's degree in Architecture and Urbanism and a Master's degree in Art. In 2001, I obtained a Ph.D. in Art History and Criticism from the University of Texas at Austin. My main field of research is Contemporary Art (both North American and Brazilian), and I have worked at the University of British Columbia Okanagan and Emily Carr University of Art & Design since moving to Canada in 2007. Hopefully, my contribution to the RAG will engage the public in critically-acclaimed and well-organized exhibitions of Contemporary Canadian and International Art.

Strange Nature
Jennifer Angus, Mary Anne Barkhouse, Robin Ripley
June 25 – September 5
Opening Reception: June 24, 7-9pm

Humans are natural creatures, yet we set ourselves apart from nature through the cultural systems and objects we've created. The artists in Strange Nature work with natural materials to explore the ways we think about, interact with, and alter nature. Jennifer Angus wants us to think about the essential role played by insects in world ecology, presenting her elaborate dollhouse worlds populated by insect people. Vancouver artist, Robin Ripley's work, Threnody, is composed of gathered, sorted and mended leaves pinned to the wall-acts of conservation and transformation that point to the natural cycles of life, death and rebirth. Like an interpreter, Mary Anne Barkhouse situates her work between the two worlds of the human and the natural. Using animal forms in conjunction with luxurious materials and settings, her work reflects on our often skewed experience of nature as a resource for our human needs rather than an ecosystem with its own intrinsic value.

Generously supported by The Westin Wall Centre Vancouver Airport

Sea Smoke
Anne Marie Crosby
June 15 – July 27
Richmond City Hall

Anne-Marie works mainly in her studio in Richmond, near Steveston, at a point where a branch of the Fraser River joins the Pacific Ocean. Her painting career spans 30 years. 23 years as a watercolourist and the last 7 she has worked primarily in oils. She paints on stretched canvas and on Baltic birch, wood panels ranging in size from 24 inches square up to 84 inches and beyond. Anne-Marie carefully finishes the edges of the panels that are trimmed with kiln-dried, Douglas fir. She sands them smooth and seals the edges with a matte varnish so that the panels may be hung framed or unframed as a finished painting.

Artist Statement
The technical aspects of painting remain the same...necessary and essential, however, they are as unconsciously accomplished when I work as is breathing. The painting itself draws out the heart and soul of me... simply by me picking up the palette knife and brush and allowing the piece to live. I do not question this...and by my acceptance of it, each painting takes on a life and purpose of its own. Through this amazing act of creation, I am grateful to share my love and joy with the world.

www.anne-mariecrosby.ca

Aboriginal Youth Mentorship Program
Participants from the Youth Mentorship Program reunited on May 27 to proudly show off their artwork to families and friends displayed in the Cultural Centre rotunda. Seven youth participated in the two-week Youth Mentorship Program, led by artist-mentor Sonny Assu, at the Gallery during the 2010 Olympic Games. This program was the result of a partnership between the VANOC Venues' Aboriginal Art Program and the City of Richmond. A publication documenting their work created during program is available by contacting the Gallery.

Keith Wallace Lecture
Independent curator, Keith Wallace spoke in the Gallery about contemporary art practice in India in conjunction with the In Transition: New Art from Indian exhibition. The talk was well attended and President of the Vancouver Biennale, Barrie Mowatt, was there to add to the discussion as well as to answer questions relating specifically to the artworks in the exhibition. Discussion also included the growing profile of the visual arts in Richmond with several new visitors expressing that they would "be back".

Open Call for Entries
Our Annual Artist Trading Card Exhibition is back for its 5th year!

Exhibition: November 26, 2010 – January 22, 2011
Deadline for ATC Submission: November 1, 2010

City of Richmond – Public Art Call for Expression of Interest
Call to Artists for inclusion in the Community Public Art Program Roster

The City of Richmond Public Art Program seeks Expressions of Interest (i.e. Request for Qualifications) from Artist(s)/team(s) for inclusion in our Community Public Art Program Rosters.

Richmond's Community Public Art Program matches community groups with artists to develop collaborative art projects. The Richmond Public Art Program seeks expressions of interest from BC artists residing in Metro Vancouver wishing to be considered for collaborative projects through a community selection process.

Call for Organizers – Culture Days

Individual artists, diverse cultural groups, organizations, municipalities, and festivals old and new, small and large are coming together in the pan-Canadian volunteer movement known as Culture Days to catalyze and inspire greater public participation in arts and culture. Culture Days is open to all communities and individuals who believe in the importance of arts and culture in Canadian life.

New Asia Film Festival – Dream Project

1st Youth Film Outreach Program in Richmond seeks budding young filmmakers for this one of a kind opportunity to work with professional filmmaker and media artist Jeff Chiba Stearns.

Two-week intensive workshops will help students realize their dreams.
Registration Opens May 26th, 2010.