Many Richmond seniors are being honoured and celebrated for their contributions to Richmond by having their portraits painted by local artists in Richmond.
The Community Arts Council of Richmond is partnering with the Richmond RCMP in celebrating the contributions of seniors in the fourth annual Faces of Richmond this summer.
The event features 20 portraits of Richmond seniors who embody the spirit of service, resilience and community pride.
These individuals continue to inspire others through their leadership, volunteerism, mentorship or cultural contributions to the community, according to Susan Stolberg, president of the Community Arts Council of Richmond.
Each portrait is paired with a recorded audio file of their memories and stories for community members to listen to.
The portraits were unveiled at the Quilchena Golf and Country Club on Monday, June 23 with Richmond city councillors, elected officials, Richmond RCMP Chief Supt. Dave Chauhan, friends and family members in attendance.
Among the seniors whose portraits were on display was Surinder Dulay, 85, who was encouraged to take part in the event for her dedication to her work in the service industry.
Dulay has been working full-time at McDonald's in Ironwood for the last 15 years, and retirement is still not in her vocabulary.
"I enjoy working there because it feels like a family. I love the environment, the people," she said.
She thanks Val Philbrook for her beautiful portrait.
The Faces of Richmond Gallery exhibition also coincides with Richmond RCMP's 75th anniversary, where three of the portraits are of former officers and one volunteer.
Donna Morse was one of the first of 32 women accepted into the RCMP as regular members of the force in 1974.
Now retired, she is currently involved in the RCMP Veterans Association and told the Richmond News she feels honoured to have her portrait painted.
"Richmond was a very different community at the time, small, and I was so welcomed in Richmond where I learned a lot," recalled Morse
"I'm totally honoured to have been asked and honoured to participate in this (Faces of Richmond)," she added.
Morse said she was in awe at the portrait Kendra Lam painted of her.
"I had the chance to meet the artist, and I'm so glad that I met her personally. All the portraits here are quite a recognition for seniors in Richmond."
Meanwhile, Richmond resident and RCMP volunteer Frank Cheng was selected for his dedication in volunteering for the law enforcement agency for more than eight years.
Cheng told the News that, after he retired, he wanted to help educate the public on safety in the community but he never expected to have a portrait of him painted to honour him and his volunteer work.
"It's really a shock and honour," said Cheng.
"I appreciate whoever the person is who recommended me as one of the participants."
A portrait of Const. Jimmy Ng, a Richmond RCMP officer who was killed in the line of duty in 2002, was also honoured with a painting by Alex Leung.
For the month of July, the exhibit will be on display at the Steveston Museum and Post Office, 2811 Moncton St.
Portraits will be gifted to the seniors at the beginning of August.
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