Place des Arts will open three new exhibitions and launch its annual Holiday Artisan Shop during a community reception on Nov. 14 in Coquitlam. The organization announced the free public event in a release issued on Oct. 17.
The reception runs from 7 to 9 p.m. at Place des Arts’ facility at 1120 Brunette Avenue. According to the release, visitors will be able to meet the exhibiting artists, enjoy live performances by student musicians, and preview artwork available for purchase.
The evening marks the opening of Positively Petite, Psychological Symbolism by Alex Lavrov and Flowing with the Flow by Mitchell Seeyu. It also signals the start of Place des Arts’ seasonal artisan market, which sells locally made crafts and gifts.
Positively Petite, the centre’s long-running miniature exhibition, returns with work from 37 local artists. The show features small-scale pieces in painting, ceramics, fibre arts, sculpture and photography. Each artwork measures no larger than 30 square inches or 60 cubic inches. Sales begin at 7 p.m. on opening night. The exhibition is running from Nov. 14 to Dec. 18, with an online component available from Nov. 21.
Lavrov’s Psychological Symbolism, on display from Oct. 31 to Dec. 18, brings together oil paintings that explore emotions, fears, identity and other aspects of the subconscious. According to Place des Arts, the work uses metaphors and symbolic imagery to depict the internal states of the mind. An online version launches Nov. 7.
Seeyu’s Flowing with the Flow has been running from Oct. 31 to Dec. 18. The series features mineral colour and ink paintings on Xuan paper inspired by coastal British Columbia. The artist blends traditional Chinese brush techniques with modern themes to portray subjects such as spot prawns, lion dancers and goldfish.
The Holiday Artisan Shop opened earlier, on Nov. 12, and continues through Dec. 18. It includes handmade housewares, skincare products, ceramics, ornaments and other goods by local artists. Proceeds support both the makers and Place des Arts’ community programs.
Place des Arts has operated in Coquitlam for more than 50 years as a non-profit arts education centre providing visual, literary and performing arts programs for all ages.
