You’ve likely heard the term “grow local.”
Well, Richmond’s arts community has done just that over the years, developing and nurturing local artists, to the point a new term — “show local” — is being put to test from July 17 to Aug. 15 when the ArtRich 2015 show at the Richmond Art Gallery will feature a majority of home-grown talent.
Show organizer Debbie Tobin said the juried exhibition will have a total of 160 or so pieces by 92 artists with around 70 per cent calling Lulu Island home.
That amount of local talent, all in one place, illustrates the need for more exhibitions to showcase those who find they have few places in their hometown to get their work seen, said Jean Garnett, of the Richmond Arts Coalition, which puts on the show.
“Everyone who (applied for the show) was happy and appreciative for the opportunity,” Garnett said. “And what’s good about the show is that it lasts a month, so there’s the opportunity to have your work out there for a while...”
As for helping foster the work of local artists, shows such as ArtRich 2015 is one avenue.
“We’re always looking for other places for people to exhibit because there’s definitely a lack,” said Garnett, adding Richmond has no private galleries anymore.
Still, there are a few other sites, such as the galleria at city hall, the upper lobby of the Gateway Theatre, and a gallery inside the Thompson Community Centre.
“I don’t know how many people know about them,” Garnett said, “but they are definitely there. And we could always use more.
“I don’t think (the gallery) should be exclusively for local art.
“But every once in a while it’s a good idea for them to feature local art. So, we’re very happy they are doing it.”
“Periodically, it’s important we address and see who’s out there in the Richmond community, and beyond,” said Rachel Rosenfield Lafo, director of the Richmond Art Gallery, who tempered her comment by adding the gallery has no mandate to include locally produced works.
“Our mandate is to show contemporary art, local, national and international. What we’re most concerned about is addressing the local community. By that I don’t mean just the artists’ community,” Rosenfield Lafo said.
“It’s people who live in Richmond and people who come to Richmond, to engage them in contemporary art and the issues contemporary artists are interested in.”
So then, how does the local community increase the profile of it artists?
“If you look at other cities as models, Vancouver being one, artists there have formed satellite galleries and artist-run centres, some of which have been in existence for more than 30 years now because they felt there weren’t enough places to show,” Rosenfield Lafo said.
The coming development of some artist, live-work spaces in Richmond is another step in the right direction, the art gallery director said.
Another is to make art, in general, more common in everyday life.
“One of the things the Richmond Arts Coalition does is advocate for art to be (included) at all major events in Richmond,” Garnett said.
“We need to infuse art into all aspects of life, rather than making it about art galleries. It needs to be out in the community more, and I think Richmond is working quite well in doing that,” Garnett said.
ArtRich 2015 runs July 17 to Aug. 15 at the Richmond Art Gallery (7700 Minoru Gate).
