Grand Opening? We'll Be There!

Finally! The end of the moving house saga is in sight. The Appleyard residence is now joined with the arts centre, and will be open for business pretty soon.

The Port Moody Arts Centre is celebrating the completion of its expansion project with a Grand Opening of the newly conjoined heritage buildings on Saturday, September 6th. The ceremony for the Centennial Appleyard House starts at 10am with a dedication and ribbon cutting, then continues at 10:30 with guided tours and more.

The Blackberry Artist's Society will be opening the gift shop early, from 10:30am and giving artist demos for visitors, highlighting our work in supporting artists in the community. We've called the arts centre home since its conversion from city hall back in the 1990s, when our members manned the gallery for a few hours each afternoon so the public could visit the new space.

Since then, we've supported local artists by providing display space and selling opportunities where they can engage with the wider community, bringing art within reach of everyone.

We are very excited and pleased to see the building expand and look forward to the next chapter in its life as a community arts venue for Port Moody.

Extended Shop - Call for New Members!

home, but not for much longer. we're moving into new digs and we need more members!

Yes - we're moving into bigger premises and have space for more artists in the cooperative. If you, or an artist near you, wants to exhibit/sell in our shop, then please contact us for an application form and arrange to attend our final jury session this year (September 10 at 7pm).

Expanded Shop: Last Call for 2014 Members

PORT MOODY ARTIST CO-OP SEEKS NEW MEMBERS FOR EXPANDED GIFT SHOP

Last Chance to Apply to Blackberry Gift Shop Before Christmas 2014!

Are you an Artist or Artisan with:

*  High quality, unique art and/or fine craft with wide demographic appeal

*  The ability and interest to work monthly in a co-op environment in Port Moody

*  Well-thought out packaging and marketing for your artwork

*  A good range of price points for your items

*  Interesting year-round product as well as holiday gifts

If so, Blackberry Artist's Society is doing the final jury call of the year.

Applications may be picked up at the Gift Shop in the Port Moody Arts Centre,

2425 St John's Street, Port Moody, BC

Applications must be received by September 9, 2014, 4 pm at Blackberry Gift Shop. Applicants must attend the jury session to discuss their work September 10 at 7 pm.

Monthly jurying resumes in January.

For more information, visit www.blackberrygiftshop.ca, call the shop at 604-931-2008 ext 102 or email vickiallesia [at] telus dot net

Wordless Wednesday: Variegation

Ceramic vessel by Pauline Doyle

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Staycation means...

...staying at home and doing all those things you might not do otherwise. Taking the time to pamper yourself, to indulge. Instead of racing to make airplane connections or endless freeway driving, it's freeing to just stay home. You can choose how you want to spend your time without going anywhere. Staycations can be bliss.... Yes, it takes time to settle into vacation mode, so you might find yourself wondering what to do. Well, part of your r & r could include reading. Vacation reading doesn't have to be edifying, either. It can just be for fun. Of course, there's time to plow through a 600-pager if you're inclined.

Bookmarks by Sandra Ho

Buddha sculpture by Myrta Hayes

Perhaps mindfulness is what you need, a retreat from the hectic world. And why not? You can take as much time as you want. It's your staycation. Gentle stretching with Hatha yoga, calming meditation, or simply walking to gain awareness of your surroundings can relax, inspire, and ground you. You don't need Lululemon or to be concerned about keeping up with the class. You are not on the clock and, intuitively, you know exactly what you need.

Drawings by Sarah Ronald

 We're fortunate enough to live amidst beautiful surroundings and maybe you can take some time to reconnect with nature during your time off. It will help you reach levels of deep relaxation, good for your mind and body. Sit outside and listen to the breeze rustling the leaves. Hear the scratching of a ground bird or see one on the wing. Your special time is in your hands. I know you'll make the most of it....

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Wordless Wednesday: Minis

Paintings by Vicki Allesia

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Late Night Shopping?

Ahoy there!
Late night shopping fans - there is no Arts Centre's gallery opening reception this month so you'll have to hang on until September for after-hours browsing.

hand dyed yarns by Dalia Levy

go quackers with Del Holbrook

The next reception will be September 18th for a metalwork exhibition. Receptions usually open at 6pm and run until 8pm, with talks by arts centre staff and artists, plus a cash bar, refreshments, art galore and a chance to network with the city arts crowd.

twiggy lobes from Urszula Petrykowska

But, shopping fans! Don't despair! We have extended hours coming up for the Grand Opening for the new expansion project on Saturday, September 6th. (You can find out a little more about the Appleyard project here). We open at 10:30am that morning, after the ribbon cutting and just in time for all the other festivities going on.

What can I encourage you to buy on this day? How about making sure you have some fantastic hostess or guest gifts to last you till the end of the holidays? We have beautiful ceramics to tuck away into a suitcase, dainty jewelry, local art and fine textiles that are also easy to pack.

Staycation? No worries. Drop a few hints and send your house guests out to see us ... let us know if you'd like them to "see" something special on your wishlist ;)

Wordless Wednesday: Sweet Somethings

Necklaces by Sandra Ho

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Wordless Wednesday: Sweetness and Light

Pottery candleholder, by Myrta Hayes

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City Hall Featured Artist: Elizabeth Wallace

This month, the display case at City Hall (you know - just up the stairs opposite the reception desk, on your way to the council offices) is filled with amazing colour. Blackberry Artist, Elizabeth Wallace has her amazing watercolour work and more on display until the end of August.

If you're only familiar at most with her cards and magnets at the giftshop, you really should head over to City Hall pronto to check out larger paintings and more subjects. You will be thrilled to see the rich colours and vibrant flowers coming to life in front of your eyes. You'll also be thrilled to see her work without the distracting reflections of the bright display lights, as in the photos above!

As usual, all work is for sale through the gift shop. Please phone 604.931.2008 ext.102 to arrange your purchase.

August's Featured Artist: Cathy Rycroft

Cathy Rycroft is a local artist who has been painting for over 23 years. She specializes in horses and horse racing in all mediums, and has been featured twice on Tom Wolski's TV show "Sport of Kings."

Print detail, original painting by Cathy Rycroft

She regularly paints commission works of horses, dogs, and people. A variety of Cathy's work can be found year round in the Blackberry Gift Shop.

Print detail, original painting by Cathy Rycroft

 Her newest creation is painting on cut stone from around the world and she was invited to the Calgary Stampede as an Artisan for her unique paintings on stone in 2006 and 2007, selling pieces across the globe at both shows.



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