News Clippings - A bit of FLAG Waving - 2007 Shows Page 4
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FLAG is very much a part of theTownship of Langley community and sincerely appreciates the ongoing support received from the local newspapers.

FLAG artists get set to explore, interpret and evolve

Fort Langley Artists Group is opening itself up to a whole new season’s worth of opportunities. The group’s upcoming exhibit, Exploration, Interpretation, Evolution: Artists’ Journey will hang in the Langley Centennial Museum’s gallery, beginning Oct. 27. Traditionally, the FLAG artists have shown their work throughout the summer at the historic train station on Mavis Avenue. Now celebrating the group’s 15th anniversary, they have moved from the unheated former CN building to mount a 10-week-long winter show in the museum’s gallery.

Painter Robin Bandenieks is among the 22 artists participating in the show. A member of FLAG since 2006, the artist’s work is very specific in terms of both subject and medium.“I like to paint people from all eras, to capture and preserve everyday moments,” she said. And she does so working strictly in oil paints. Far from feeling limited by the lone medium, Bandenieks said the exclusivity has given her the opportunity to examine all its possibilities.“There’s so much to explore in oil,” she said.“That’s where I want to be. I love the medium.” A self-described archivist at heart, Bandenieks has been compiling information on “each and every artist that was involved in FLAG,” to create a database of sorts for any future researcher who might be interested in learning more about the group, past and present. But in some respects, it’s the personal histories of the artists involved, who will contribute between four and six pieces each, that will be on display until Jan. 6, 2008. They have been asked to put in what they value as their best work — pieces that demonstrate how they’ve grown as artists — and perhaps what they still hope to accomplish.“With artwork you never reach your destination,” said Bandenieks. “You’re always on the path to improvement.” But it doesn’t have to be a solitary journey, she noted. “Although you often create on your own, it’s nice to have like-minded souls along the way.”

One of the artists joining her on this particular journey is Blair Howatt, who’s best known for his drawings of classic cars. He plans to display four pieces, in watercolour and coloured pencil. His contributions will include two of his trademark cars. In the interest of showing growth as an artist, Howatt also submitted a wildlife drawing of an owl and his interpretation of the Fort Pub.“It’s going to be a big show in a really nice venue,” he said, encouraging the public to come down and have a look — and a listen.

The exhibition will also include presentations by participating artists on a range of subjects. On Nov. 9 Howatt will give an artist’s talk. “I’ll be speaking about bold use of colour, shading, detail and the powerful impact of perspective to make an image pop off the page,” he explained. He will be joined that evening by Fort Langley watercolour artist Linda Muttitt, who will talk about her personal art journals.

On Nov. 1 there will be an artists’ reception from 7-9 p.m. at the museum, located at 9135 King St. in Fort Langley. Other FLAG artists participating in this show include: Laurie Allinson, Jean Assimakos, Julie Bourne, Scott Gordon, Margo Harrison,Melanie Jane, LeEtta LaFontaine, Beverly Lawrence, Kathy Nay, Melissa Nue-Lee, Evelyn Smith, Dianne Wilson, Carmel Clare and Lori Standen. Alumni Linda Muttitt, Barbara Boldt, Edith Krause, Larry Green, Una Ann and Susan Falk will also take part

Poonam Bains/Langley Advance

She had to stop making commission pieces because she got tendonitis and the work was really straining. Wilson needed to split her time up so she took up real estate. Two careers allow her to get the best from both."I really enjoy real estate. There is no high like selling a house," she said. "But the two are quite a contrast."

Her pottery work is split between the wheel and doing work by hand. For the pottery work, she builds small pieces and then puts them together, instead of building it all at once. It is much easier on her hands.

"I like adding textures and feet onto things," Wilson said about her art. "There are so many more challenges hand building." She has been a potter since the early 1990s, and once she realized she wanted to morph her hobby into a career she took several workshops, seminars and classes to perfect her skill."My ongoing education... reward and broaden my scope and understanding of art," she said.

She is a member of FLAG, Fraser Valley Artists Group, Potters Guild of BC, and the Langley Arts Council and says that these groups help her think outside of the box."FLAG is a fantastic group. Everyone supports each other and critiques each others work," she said. "It has opened my eyes to other types of art."

Wilson will be submitting some of her pieces in FLAG's new show, Exploration, Interpretation, Evolution: Artists' Journey. A celebration of the dynamic, symbiotic relationships between artists will be on view in the Langley Centennial Museum & National Exhibition Centre, 9135 King St.

The opening reception will be on Thursday, Nov. l from 7 to 9 p.m. It will feature wine and cheese. A variety of media and themes will be explored in a way that will focus on the evolution of artists in the community. The show runs until Jan. 6.

All the artists will be in attendance at the opening reception. They include: Laurie Allinson, Robin Bandenieks, Julie Bourne, Carmel Clare, Scott Gordon, Margo Harrison, Blair Howatt, Melanie Jane, LeEtta LaFontaine, Beverly Lawrence, Kathy Nay, Melissa Nue-Lee, Lori Standen, and Dianne Wilson.
Alumni members are Una Ann, Barbara Boldt, Susan Falk, Larry Green, Edith Krause, and Linda Muttitt.

Another event upcoming for FLAG is being held in conjunction with Kwantlen University College's Third Age Learning (TALK) program.

They are offering a series of presentations at the museum on Fridays, Nov. 2: 2D-Painting and Mixed Media Session; Nov. 9: Merging of Image and Text; and Nov. 16: 3D. Register at 604-599-3077. The three presentations are $22.50, plus $20 TALK membership fee.