Greetings all,

Well, summer is all but over and we've seen another wonderful exhibition come and go. The bunnies, bugs and leaves have been packed up and are being returned to the artists. Our new Curator, Renato da Silva is now working with the gallery installation staff and Gu Xiong getting the next show, Gu Xiong, Waterscapes, ready—a process that includes suspending over 1,000 paper boats (folded by a legion of volunteers in a series of workshops) in a procession through the gallery and out the back windows into the gardens beyond. The exhibition opens on Thursday, September 16 starting at 7 pm and continues until November 14. See Renato's message below, for more details—or better yet, come and see the show!

It was a busy summer here at the Gallery—in addition to the Strange Nature show (which drew an attendance of over 8,600 visitors), we were busy with Summer Art Camps and Grow Up! Our Art Camp dynamic duo, Natalie and Suzanna, came back again this year to lead the children in week-long sessions inspired by the exhibition. The children also enjoyed a weekly visit to the Richmond Nature Park where they got to play with bugs, study moss and learn more about the environment. Our equally dynamic Education and Public Programs Coordinator, Nan Capogna, worked with the Richmond Food Security Society to present Grow Up!, an afternoon fun-filled and informative event in the Cultural Centre plaza on Saturday, August 28 (please see Nan's message below for all the details). Renato put the finishing touches on his exhibition program for 2011, which we will be announcing in our annual calendar later this fall, and the whole team is busy with the myriad details it takes to organize a show—from artist contracts and shipping arrangements, through researching, selecting and writing about the work, to organizing panels, workshops and events to animate and educate. Kathy Tycholis has devised another year of challenging school workshops, and will be holding the second annual Teachers' After School Special this month to inform RSB and district teachers about the program.

We also had good news on the funding front this summer. We received two Canada Council special project grants and received word that the RBC Foundation has recommitted to the Family Sunday program this year. Carson Loh will present a cheque on behalf of the RBC Foundation at the Gu Xiong opening on Thursday evening—it would be great if you could come and show how much community support we enjoy. At the beginning of September the BC cultural community also drew a cautiously-optimistic sigh of relief when Minister Kevin Krueger announced the restoration of $7 million to the BC Arts Council. As you likely know, many arts organizations in the province have been facing collapse as a result of the funding cuts to the Arts Council and Gaming Grants. As I reminded Mr. Krueger in my letter to him, "Artists and arts organizations help to create a vibrant society, often taking on a social critique function that questions, challenges and inspires us all to be better citizens. Over the past year we in the arts community have been fighting not so much for our livelihoods but rather maintaining a passionate commitment to a pillar of the culture that we truly believe to be part of a good and democratic society."

Right now I'm in the middle of what I refer to as "Grant Season"—visions of bright orange vests and deerstalker hats!—pursuing funding so that we can bring you more exciting exhibitions and events in the coming year. And on that note, I'd better get back to it!

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

Please join us for the upcoming exhibition Gu Xiong, Waterscapes, a multi-media installation based on a comparative study between the Yangtze and Fraser Rivers, focusing on migratory currents in both China and Canada. Approximately one thousand paper boats will hang from the ceiling in a procession that will enliven the environment, under which the artist will create a path of sawdust in a direct reference to the timber industry of the Fraser River. Along the walls of the galleries Gu Xiong will also install photos, paintings, and videos which expand the visitors' understanding of the different geographic, social and cultural patterns of the two rivers. Ultimately Waterscapes not only examines the multiple migrations that flow along the rivers, but also reveal Gu Xiong's own experience of coming to Canada some twenty years ago, creating an emotional statement about personal challenges, trans-cultural identity and multiculturalism. An opening reception will be held Thursday, September 16 from 7-9 pm. The exhibition continues until November 14.

Renato Da Silva
Curator

Waterscapes
Gu Xiong
September 17 – November 14
Opening Reception: September 16, 7-9pm

Since the mid-19th century the Fraser and Yangtze rivers have connected migrants from around the world as China and Canada both became enmeshed in an emerging global economy. Starting with the migration of Chinese labourers to the Fraser River for the gold rush of 1858 and the late 19th century migration of Canadian missionaries to the Yangtze River region, these rivers have become over-written with histories, memories and the material traces of migration. In providing vital transit access between the Pacific Ocean and inland areas, these rivers can be understood as complex "waterscapes" in which uneven experiences of displacement, dispossession, and adaptation occur.

Generously supported by Canada Council for the Arts

Future Interpretive
Nancy Halifax
July 27 – September 14
Richmond City Hall

Currently on view at the City Hall Galleria, Future Interpretive by Richmond artist, Nancy Halifax. Nancy has created a series of paintings that reflect on the impact of natural disasters on the people living in affected areas and beyond. By combining abstract shapes with images of architecture submerged in water and overlaid with delicate drawings of plants and flowers, the artist creates layers of meaning referencing the vulnerability of people to the, sometimes unrelenting, forces of nature. While the work considers such issues as global warming, flooding and other natural hazards, she has left room for optimism and hope for the collective future.

Nancy Halifax graduated from Emily Carr Institute of Art and Design with Honours from the Painting Department. In her studio near the Fraser River in Richmond, B.C. Halifax paints with acrylics, oils, and other mixed media. Her works are in many private collections across Canada and in the permanent collection of the Richmond Art Gallery. The exhibition ends on September 14.

Grow Up!
Artist, Robin Ripley, gave a tour of her work in the exhibition, Strange Nature as part of the many things to see and do during the Grow Up! event held on Saturday, August 28 in Minoru Plaza. Co-presented with the Richmond Food Security Society, participants were treated to Sharing Farm winter seedlings, Brian Campbell's live beehive and seed bomb demonstration, Chef Maluh's (Marlene Hale) bannock making and tasting, and City of Richmond's Eric Portelance and Linh Huynh who provided information on curbside composting and natural solutions to lawn care. The I Spy winner walked away with a set of watercolour pencils and sketchbook and other draw winners received gift certificates donated by Phoenix Perennials and Art Knapp Plantland.

A special thanks goes to De Whalen, RAG Board member, who buzzed around to each vendor and activity hosting and helping along the way. De was also a great hoister of tents; she and her husband, Bruce, were indispensable in helping to set up and clear out at end of day. Thanks to Arzeena Hamir from the Sharing Farm who brought most of the participants together and thanks to the women from the Richmond Women's Resource Centre who oversaw the plant exchange. Thanks to all the volunteers from the Gallery and to the students from sd38. Last, but certainly not least, a big thank you goes to Dr. Dad's Sound Lab, Magnetcring and Ben Jacques for providing their original electronic music throughout the afternoon. It was great!

Summer Art Camp
Six successful weeks of summer art camps led by veteran art instructors Natalie Strul and Suzanna Wright produced an impressive array of artworks by the dozens of children who participated. Strange Nature provided inspiration as well as the weekly trips to the Richmond Nature Park. Kris Bauder, Coordinator of the Park, was extremely generous with her time and knowledge and we thank her especially for making the children's visits so worthwhile. We are already looking at how we might work together again in the future.

Gu Xiong
There has been a recent flurry of paper folding activity at the Gallery. In preparation for Gu Xiong's exhibition, Waterscapes, one thousand paper boats are needed for the installation. Over 100 volunteers from the community have folded, pressed and inverted paper boats over the last few weeks. Gallery Attendants were also drafted into service and Tony Chu and Renate Xanthopoulos folded an impressive fleet of crisp paper boats. Thanks to all!

Nan Capogna Education and Public Programs Coordinator

Sahtu Regional Pro-D Conference
Earlier this summer I was invited to be a presenter for the Sahtu Regional Pro-D Conference in Norman Wells, NWT, a Conference for Elementary and Secondary teachers of the Sahtu District that took place from August 24-26, 2010. I took advantage of this great opportunity to present two art workshops for teachers, introducing Artist Trading Cards and drawing/painting techniques for the classroom. This was my first visit to the Northwest Territories, and I had a wonderful time thanks to the hospitality of local teachers and the Northwest Territories Teachers' Association staff. I would like to especially thank Colleen Eckert, NWTTA Pro-D Coordinator, for arranging the trip and taking good care of me throughout the Conference.

Kathy Tycholis
School Art Program Coordinator.

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 Vancouver – Request for Ideas – Platforms 2010
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
Deadline for Proposals: Wednesday September 15, 2010, 4pm

The Public Art Program invites artists to propose artworks for 2-D platforms within the City of Vancouver to be presented during 2011, the City's anniversary year. The platforms include transit shelter ad space, video screens and a large photographic work. Proposed artwork must be newly created for the platform commission. The artist will supply a high-quality digital file of the work and the City will be responsible for the cost of production and installation.

Download the call at:
http://vancouver.ca/commsvcs/oca/PublicArt/artistopp.htm
Please send any questions to karen.henry@vancouver.ca

Visitor Testimonial
During my 2010 student summer placement at B.C. Centre for Ability, my astounding clinical educator in Speech and Language Pathology and I worked from our Richmond office. During my lunch break, I visited the Hope Smith Art Lounge inside the Richmond Art Gallery, whose doors were always flung open to visitors.

It felt great just to be able to walk in, sit down and start painting. I experimented with water colour pencils, which together with a thick artist pad, water, paint brushes and a lot of brilliant sea shells was available on a welcoming table situated in the centre of the Art Lounge.
On my way to the Gallery, I saw dragonflies flitting in the warm sun in front of the building. Inside the Art Lounge I saw different types of shiny sea shells. I painted what I saw. I accomplished an unexpected light effect with water color pencils in my painting of a dragonfly, which, together with its computer enhanced version,
I would like to share with the Richmond Gallery out of my appreciation for the art space so kindly made accessible to the general public.
Visual art is an excellent way to stimulate language development. When learning experience is fun, children are happy and comfortable to talk. It was a great pleasure to see moms with their toddlers explore color at the Richmond Gallery Art Lounge.
I hope that many other galleries and art studios would be inspired by the very innovative concept of "public access," and welcoming communal art spaces for people of all Abilities, which I was so lucky to find at the Richmond Art Gallery.

Ivona Vujica
Vancouver