Drawings, paintings, photographs, sculptures, and even the written word – as long as it speaks to a celebratory theme – will be hanging on the walls of a downtown office this weekend.
You’ve Gotta Have Friends (YGHF), a 10-year-old organization aimed at promoting community inclusion, will be transformed its office in McBurney Plaza into an art gallery this weekend.
Once again, YGHF is holding an art exhibition in conjunction with Arts Alive. It’s a tradition that’s been ongoing for at least nine of their last 10 years, said founder Pat Weibelzahl.
“But, this is not your ordinary art show,” she elaborated.
Each year, they welcome submissions from the public, young and old. Any kind of visual art – on theme – is invited.
This year, Weibelzahl will have a few of her own pieces in the show, as well as art from fellow members of the Fort Langley Artists Group. And to show the diversity of age in the submissions, she said her seven-year-old granddaughter is submitting a small acrylic painting, as well.
They seek “creative works that express a sense of celebration… in any form that strikes your fancy,” Weibelzahl elaborated.
The cutout for submissions was Wednesday, and all of the framed or wired work will be on display by the end of the day Friday.
Having seen many of the submitted pieces, she predicts upwards of 20 creations will make up the show.
“It will be quite a variety, indeed,” Weibelzahl added.
With the Arts Alive main stage located just outside their doors, You’ve Gotta Have Friends tends to draw a lots of people into the office to view the show, which will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
“You’ve Gotta Have Friends is celebrating a milestone anniversary this year. It’s our 10th year in Langley,” she said, explaining that a special conference and community dance is in the works for mid-September to help mark the occasion.
But in the meantime, she said, this year’s art exhibit is going to also help mark the group’s milestone year – hence the “celebration” theme.