SEPTEMBER 2022

Hello Aurora,

I'm so excited to announce this September brings the 

Launch of our 50th season! We have NEW branding, NEW events, NEW fundraisers, NEW exhibitions, NEW classes, a NEW social media campaign called "Creative Connections" and so much more! 

This organization has been doing incredible work for 50 YEARS. It's amazing how much has changed and what continues to stay the same. We still have the same goal we started with in the 1970s: to be a centre where people can experience, practice and engage with the arts. We hope this year you'll join us to celebrate the arts and celebrate us! 

Beyond our 50th, events are back in full swing this month with the return of our PAWcasso event, the reveal of our Community Engagement Project with the opening of our exhibitions, an event for National Truth and Reconciliation Day and the launch of our 50th community art project.

Our regular season programming is back this month! We can't wait to see all our lovely students in the facility. 

Enjoy your September, 

Aurora van Roon

Communications Coordinator

Grab your pooch and join us for an outdoor painting adventure on September 18 from 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM. First, your dog will paint with a painted paws technique. Then you finish your masterpiece by skillfully blending your brush strokes with your dog’s paw painting.

The outcome is an abstract, personalized work of art – in collaboration with your dog! Canvases, non-toxic paints and tasty tidbits for canines will be provided. Need something a bit more “inspirational?” Purchase a mimosa or glass of wine from the bar! One dog per human participant; all dogs must be up to date with vaccinations and leashed at all times—no retractable leashes, please.

Tickets: $26/person or 2 for $42

This event is for ages 19+

To mark our golden anniversary, we are launching a series of 50/50 raffles.

Place des Arts is a community organization that brings people together to enjoy the arts and explore their creative passions, which is more important than ever after the period of isolation caused by the pandemic.

Proceeds will support subsidies, bursaries and no-cost community programs which we have continued to offer throughout our 50-year history. Help us make the arts more accessible for vulnerable children and families by purchasing your ticket.

Disclaimer: Gaming Licence # 135047

Participants must be 19 years of age or older and located in BC at the time of purchase. Estimated chances are 1 in 8260 to win the "(50/50 for the player) Prize". Actual odds will depend on the number of tickets sold.

Know your limit, play within it. Problem Gambling Help Line 1-888-795-6111. www.bcresponsiblegambling.ca

From left to right: Evening Sky by Holly Mckeen; Community Engagement Project at the Teddy Bear Picnic, June 2022; Artwork by Christine Mackenzie [detail]

Celebrate the opening of three new exhibitions: Sharing Culture Through the Natural World, Place des Arts’ Community Engaged Art Project; Evolution of Self and Indigenous Art, Various Mediums by Various Artists; and Of the Earth, ceramics by Fraser Valley Potter’s Guild Association.

Sharing Culture Through the Natural World and Evolution of Self and Indigenous Art will be on view at Place des Arts from September 9 to October 19, 2022, and online from September 16 to October 19, 2022.

Of the Earth will be on view at Place des Arts from September 9 to November 3, 2022, and online from September 16 to November 3, 2022.

Sharing Culture Through the Natural World's opening is funded by:

On September 24, we’re launching an interactive community-engaged art project called Weaving Stories Together in celebration of our 50th anniversary and we want you to join in! The project, facilitated by Place des Arts' teacher Mariana Frochtengarten, will embody our 50th anniversary mission to celebrate Place des Arts voices through creative connection, storytelling and joy. Contribute to this art project by taking part in a free, fun, all-ages art activity at Place des Arts.

This month you can participate on the following dates: 

• Saturday, September 24 · 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM (Kick-Off Event)
• Tuesday, September 27 · 3:30 - 6:30 PM

The final art piece will be unveiled at the Place des Arts’ 50th Exhibition opening reception on June 2, 2023, from 7:00 - 9:00 PM.

From the Artist:

"Weaving Stories Together is a textile-based project that aims to bring the community together through a collective tapestry woven by people from different ages, genders, cultures and backgrounds. Participants will be able to see their work evolve and transform. It is a visual representation of community and how we must rely on the sum of individuals to create wholeness. We will connect and interact through textile art as we interweave our personal stories, hopes and dreams. As unique and diverse lives intersect, the story changes; it becomes richer and as a community we grow stronger."

Join First Nations Artist and Facilitator, Christine Mackenzie, for Be the Change you Want to See, a free, public community event on National Truth and Reconciliation Day-- September 30 from 1:00-3:00 PM.

We are all at different points in our journey learning about Indigenous history and current issues that many communities still face. Whether we come from a space of healing or understanding, we can benefit from coming together with members of our community to expand our knowledge. During this workshop, you’ll learn from Christine in an uplifting environment and help colour in parts of a butterfly’s life cycle that will be added to our Community Engagement Project display. Attendees will be able to choose which stage of the life cycle they would like to colour and what medium they would like to use.

The butterfly represents change and growth, which reflects the journey of Truth and Reconciliation.

All ages are welcome. Pre-registration is encouraged. 

Our golden anniversary is here and to celebrate, we’re starting a new social media series called Creative Connections. This series celebrates PdA voices by sharing photos and stories from people that have been part of our community over the past 50 years.

To start us off, let’s head back to 1985 with Place des Arts student, artist and event attendee, Corky Hartley!

Corky began her creative journey by taking fine arts classes at Place des Arts. Then Hartley attended workshops, entered a juried art exhibit, purchased gifts and introduced their grandchildren to camps.

Some of Hartley’s highlights over the years included:

• being taught by very qualified and professional instructors
• meeting so many staff members and fellow students with different personalities
• sharing ideas, laughter and recipes during the hours of open studio pottery
• understanding that everyone comes to PdA for different reasons.

As Hartley puts it “My daily passion to create, in various mediums, has been nurtured with practice by the annual routine of registering for PdA classes […] to play with like-minded individuals.

One memory she wanted to share is “My funniest memory was during a pottery class in the old building where we smelled and saw hazy smoke so the room was evacuated (twice), to be inspected. Turned out that a student wearing running shoes, unnoticed by herself, kept resting her foot on a spinning part of her wheel until it started burning, causing the smoke! We could not stop laughing and her comments added to the hilarity. […] Attending Place des Arts classes over the years has helped keep my daily life balanced and my creative/social needs met while having fun!” – Corky Hartley

Place des Arts takes pride in being home to our diverse and active arts community. Our popular events and performances include faculty concerts, exhibition openings and fun, art-filled events for teens, adults or the whole family. Help mark this milestone with us by attending our special 50th events including the launch of a community art project and a Gala performance at the Evergreen Cultural Centre. We are also presenting a great line-up of exhibitions featuring the work of local emerging artists.

Find out more by exploring this season's Event Guide! View the online version below. Physical copies will be available in our facility in early September.

We also have all our events listed on our website. View them here.

Tickets are on sale now! 

Sign your child up for a Day of the Arts on SD43's Pro-D Day on October 21, 2022. Children in Kindergarten to Grade 5 can explore their creativity through a variety of activities in the visual and performing arts, meet new friends and, most of all, have fun!

Registration opens on September 6 at 7:00 AM online and 9:00 AM in person. 

On September 5, Place des Arts will be closed for Labour Day. Classes and lessons will begin on September 7.

We also will have adjusted hours for National Truth and Reconciliation Day. On September 30, we will be open from 1:00 - 5:00 PM.

City of Coquitlam Summer Concert Series

Date: September 2, 2022 | 6:00 - 9 :00 PM

1299 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam

The Summer Concert Series, presented by Coquitlam Centre, returns to Town Centre Park’s outdoor TD community Plaza Stage with extended performance times, food trucks and a spectacular musical lineup.

Pop Night 

Ashley Pater: Vancouver, Canada-based R&B singer/songwriter Ashley Pater touches the hearts of her listeners through her music. Ashley’s award-winning songwriting combined with her soulful sultry voice draws you into her story.

Queer As Funk: It started, like most good ideas, over beer and song. A few short years later, Vancouver’s Queer as Funk is renowned for its tight rhythm section, hot horns, and soulful vocals. Totally unique in the history of Vancouver's LGBTQ community, Queer as Funk brings together the city's hottest musicians in a dynamic, high-energy dance band.

With repertoire ranging from beloved funk, soul and Motown classics, to contemporary pop favourites, Queer As Funk has been playing to consistently sold-out audiences since their inception in 2013. There's nothing this tight-knit band loves more than performing together, and that love is palpable to audiences everywhere.

"There's nowt so queer as folk", or so the old English adage goes. Queer As Funk believes in celebrating differences, and what better way than with a big ol' dance party?

Find out More