The seventh annual West Fine Arts Show has found a new home in picturesque South Langley and kicked off Friday evening.
The art show and sale, which runs Sept. 8 to 10 in its new home at the Glass House Estate Winery in South Langley, will feature a stable of artists from around Western Canada.
Artist Diana Jensen Vestergaard is joined by Felicity Holmes (artist in residence at Glass House Winery Estate), Neil Hamelin, Fran Alexander, Grazyna Wolski, Joyce Trygg, Bryan Coombes, Carmel Clare, Ken Nash, Patricia Banks, Catherine Traynor, Suzanne Erickson, Graham McKenzie, Brent Cooke, Rick Pennell, and show host Brian Croft.
Croft praised the artists and owners of the winery for all their work to make it a successful show which had “a steady flow of visitors.”
“As the last art show panel was lifted into the trailer, I turned around and there were the magnificent artists who had come together, set up the show, worked all weekend and were just finishing the show take-down, which they did in record-breaking time,” he noted. “I think this was the best show we have done so far.”
This art show and sale is once again a fundraiser for the Langley Hospice Society, explained Shannon Todd Booth, with the society.
The West Fine Art Show annually supports hospice, with a focus on “remembering” in honour and in memory of loved ones who have died.
By “remembering” in this way the West Fine Art Show strives to raise awareness of the Langley Hospice Society and the important work the local organization does in the provision of palliative and bereavement care and support to the community it serves.
But the show also sees partial proceeds of all art sales going to hospice.
“This weekend’s West Fine Art Show, was a tremendous success,” said executive director Nancy Panchuk. “Over the last five years this unique partnership between the Langley Hospice Society and the West Fine Art Show, has raised awareness and funds in support of the important palliative and bereavement care and support we provide to the community we serve. This year’s move to the Glass House Winery, added another wonderful element to the show, and we’re so very grateful to the DeJong Family for their generous hosting of this year’s show. “
The amount going to the hospice society is still being added up.
“There was steady traffic throughout the weekend with many first time visitors to the show, and to the winery,” she said. “Many of the artists saw their works find a new home, and we feel that we introduced many new folks to the artists and their work, to the winery and their fabulous offerings, and that they had an opportunity to learn more about the Langley Hospice Society, and what we do.”
Croft is now turned his attention to a new venture.
“I have long-wanted to organize a third show. My original idea of doing an art show at a school was expanded after I was advised that the Langley School District Foundation might be a more appropriate organization to approach as they supported all students in the Langley School District in a number of ways that serve the needs of our community,” he said.
As a result the West Fine Art Society is planning a show on March 9 to 11 at Yorkson Creek Middle School.
“A portion of all art sales at this show will be directed to the foundation and, after considering the full range of initiatives that the Foundation supports, we asked if our funds could be directed to helping with initiatives that addressed youth homelessness as we felt this was a pressing need within our community,” Croft said.
