A new art show, “I Love Art” featuring local artists, is launching this week on February 9, and is open to the public February 9 – 12 from 11 AM – 5 PM. An opening reception will take place on February 9 between 5 PM – 8 PM. The show, at the new I Heart NW community space in Columbia Square at 78 10 th Street, Unit 103 in New Westminster is a partnership with the Arts Council of New Westminster and includes the work of Paul Newton, Paul Gravett, Jim Walsh, Angela James, Judy Villett, Victoria Mitchell and Victoria Klassen.
I Heart NW is a commercial retail unit located on the site of EDGAR’s future comprehensive community. The proposed pedestrian-oriented community near transit is poised to transform the 7.1 acre site into a new neighbourhood featuring a complete range of housing options including affordable, market rental and strata condos, as well as a large, new daycare, office and retail. While the development application is undergoing the review of City Staff and Council over the coming months, 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. 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.
“This is an amazing, talented and diverse group of professional, local artists who originally got together for the New West Culture Crawl in October and then wanted to put on another show together, so this is a great opportunity for these artists to come together again,” said Laura Grady, Executive Director of the Arts Council of New West. “We have a lot to offer in New West when it comes to good quality art and a range of professional artists 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.”
Each month a different New Westminster artist(s) will be featured in the space. The I Heart NW community space will initially be open for one weekend per month, with further openings anticipated. Other programming includes 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.
