The Hope Arts Gallery will be hosting the works of local painter Holly Smith, and Coquitlam artisan Laurie Jones-Canta, in Trees, Glorious Trees on Oct. 1.
The exhibition, which focuses on people’s connections to trees, will be featured in the Back Room of the gallery until Oct. 28. A series of paintings and carvings of trees, each by Smith and Jones-Canta, will be on display as the artists try to recapture the various feelings and experiences evoked by these “ancient giants.”
“Trees are just beautiful,” says Smith. “They’re so interesting [and] different. And I always feel better when I’m out in nature. And we’re trying to show [the human] connection to them.”
Smith’s partner for this exhibition is Jones-Canta, a member of the Hope and District Arts council. She is an artisan who takes all-weathered bark, found from non-living trees throughout Northern B.C., and turns them into fantastical scenes. Primarily working with fantasy themes, she has constructed houses, castles, nature, and maritime scenes from folklore and literary sources.
Smith, who grew up in Hope and has recently returned to the community, says this is her third show with the gallery over the past three years. Primarily working with both water colours and acrylics, she also teaches beginner painting classes at the Hope Art Machine.
“I paint a lot,” says Smith. “I love it so much. And its so nice to get [my paintings] out of my basement and into the public.”
After opening day, the exhibition will be available to see Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 p.m. to 3 p.m., and is staffed by volunteers of the gallery. Admission is free and everyone is encouraged to visit.
READ MORE: Hope Arts Gallery and Arts Machine ready to welcome more patrons
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