Exhibition Dates: February – May 2025
Location: New Westminster City Hall, 2nd Floor Community Gallery
Exhibition Statement
It is impossible to capture the entirety of New Westminster in 22 photographs. However, this show seeks to tell visual stories, evoke an emotion, or capture a mood that reflects the City’s multifaceted character.
The 14 members of the New Westminster Photography Club have contributed photographs of the city taken principally in 2024, with some dating
back as far as 2017. Some photos are a testament to what was, but is no more.
- Jeffery Bull
- Peter Eisenbock
- Quinton Friesen
- Geoffrey Griffiths
- Hristo Hristov
- Rick Lewis
- Glenn Marcus
- Nancy Matheson
- Judy Munz-Moore
- Debra Nelson
- Tim Stewart
- Deanna Thorson
- Harry Traeger
- Ben Whiting
The photographers used a range of equipment and techniques to realize their artistic vision. In addition to the usual assortment of lenses, some used drones to capture aerial perspectives, while others employed creative methods such as multiple exposure to reimagine a familiar landmark. A simple technique is consciously choosing the time of day to take a photo. For the special interest group within the club, Night Vision, their time of day is night. This group compensates for lack of light by using higher ISOs, slower shutter speeds and tripods. For one Night Vision photographer, shooting at night “is a love story, the welcoming/comforting light of home.”
Central Themes
- Transportation Convergence: Modes of transportation have been layered one on top of the other in the city for over 150 years. The foundational mode, the Fraser River continues to be a working river. Trains still pass through the city. Types of public transit have changed, but are as vital as ever. New Westminster’s compactness allows for the various modes to brush up against each other. A tug boat patiently waits for a train to go by, so it can resume its journey. Train tracks and the Skytrain rails coexist side by side.
- Changing Skyline: Nowhere is New Westminster’s evolution more evident than along the Fraser River, where low-rise buildings are giving way to towering high-rises.
- Community: Streetscapes, festivals, and little libraries reflect the heart of the city’s communal spirit. Walking-friendly streets foster connection and wellness, while little libraries, scattered throughout neighborhoods, celebrate literacy and sharing. Festivals bring vibrancy and joy, showcasing the city’s diverse cultural fabric.
- Moments of Stillness: Even in a city as dense as New Westminster, pockets of tranquility are accessible to all—inviting reflection and respite amidst the urban bustle.
Through their lenses, these photographers invite you to see New Westminster from unique perspectives, celebrating its dynamic energy, enduring history, and moments of quiet beauty.
