The New Westminster Museum and Archives’ latest exhibition explores and celebrates the Sikh community of New Westminster.
An Ocean of Peace: 100 Years of Sikhs in New Westminster opens Jan. 15 and runs until May 31 in the New Westminster Museum.
Guest curators Paneet Singh and Naveen Girn are ready to unveil this exhibition, after a year of interviewing community members at the Sukh Sagar Gurdwara, at the museum and in residents’ homes
"This is a generational story," Girn said in a news release. "From images and documents related to the history of Bhai Mewa Singh that have never been publicly displayed, to ongoing stories of service and volunteerism, this exhibition is an opportunity to reflect on the history of Sukh Sagar Gurdwara and the South Asian community's impact on New Westminster."
The opening reception for An Ocean of Peace, originally set for Wednesday, has been postponed until Friday, Jan. 24. Taking place from 6 to 8 p.m., it features tours, refreshments and more.
Queensborough's Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar celebrated its 100th anniversary in March 2019.
“This exhibition, developed in partnership with the Khalsa Diwan Society New Westminster, explores and celebrates the Sikh community of New Westminster and their relationship to their place of worship – the spiritual, political, and social centre of the community,” said a press release from the city. “The result is an immersive experience capturing the sights and sounds of Gurdwara life, and an exploration of themes of belonging, spirituality, identity, community-building, celebration, and activism.”
As part of the exhibition, members of the local Sikh community are invited to share photos and memories through the #SukhSagar100 hashtag on social media, as well as at the Sikhs in New West: A Photo Exchange program at the museum on April 8, an all-ages event taking place from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Images will be added to a changing photo album in the exhibition space that will reflect new stories about the Sukh Sagar Gurdwara in Queensborough and the Sikh community in New Westminster. This program is jointly presented by Sikh Heritage Month BC, the New Westminster Museum and Archives and Gurdwara Sahib Sukh Sagar.
Other programming is also being planned to coincide with the exhibition.
The New Westminster Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (with extended hours on Thursdays to 8 p.m.) It’s located in Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St.
Admission is by donation. For more information, call 604-527-4640 or go to nwmuseumarchives.ca.
