An art show in a new community space at Columbia Square has been extended until the end of the month.
The I Heart New West space, in Unit 103, officially launched earlier this month with the opening of the I Love Art show just before Valentine's Day.
It was originally intended to be a one-weekend event — but it's been a hit, and it's been extended till the end of the month. You can check it out Friday, Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 24, 25 and 26) from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
The community space, next to the entrance off 10th Street, is a commercial-retail unit that’s part of a future project by Edgar Development. Edgar is proposing a new pedestrian-oriented community on the seven-acre site — a community that’s intended to feature a range of housing options including affordable, market rental and strata condos, plus a new daycare, office and retail space, a press release notes.
While that development application is under review at city hall over the coming months, the large retail unit will serve as the I Heart NW space.
“I Heart NW will offer a space for events and community engagement and a hub for cultural events and conversation around community and city building as it relates to the proposed development,” the press release notes. “In addition to a series of carefully curated events, the space will serve as a place where community members can learn about the vision for Columbia Square, ask questions of project team members and explore local art at a rotating art gallery.”
I Love Art features seven New Westminster artists
First up in the gallery is I Love Art, featuring the work of Paul Newton, Paul Gravett, Jim Walsh, Angela James, Judy Villett, Victoria Mitchell and Victoria Klassen — who originally got together for the New West Culture Crawl in October and wanted to put on another show together.
Laura Grady, executive director of the Arts Council of New West, said the new community space provided a great opportunity for them to do just that.
“We have a lot to offer in New West when it comes to good quality art and a range of professional artists,” Grady said in the release, “and, like any municipality, we are always looking for spaces to showcase art, so this is an incredible opportunity for us and for the community. It’s a beautiful space that allows us to meet the community where they are — whether it’s grocery shopping or going to the pharmacy. This allows them to drop in and see art they might not otherwise see.”
The I Heart NW space will feature a different New Westminster artist or artists each month. It will initially be open for one weekend per month, with further offerings anticipated.
Other programming is also planned for the space — including evening arts workshops led by a local artist, a Speakers Corner night on urban design, a poetry night and a First Nations market to showcase a variety of Indigenous food and craft makers.
You can stop by the I Heart New West space to check it out this Friday, Saturday and Sunday. (Unit 103 is right by the 10th Street entrance, across from Cockney Kings.)
Follow Julie MacLellan on Twitter @juliemaclellan.
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