It has been 30 years since the Richmond Art Gallery Association (RAGA) became a “thing” and embarked on a mission to nurture local, artistic talent.
Since then, tens of thousands of Richmond schoolkids and adults alike have been able to express themselves through visual art and explored whether or not it would become a favourite pastime or a hidden vocation.
To mark the special occasion, RAGA is hosting a 30th anniversary fundraiser, called Light up the Night at the Richmond Art Gallery in the cultural centre on Saturday, Nov. 25.
Art gallery director Shaun Dacey said it’s shaping up to be an evening to celebrate the association’s past, present and future.
“Past and present board members and staff will be there, along with live performers, all with an ’80s theme, which includes a tape cassette DJ,” Dacey told the Richmond News.
“It’ll be a wonderful mix of the old guard, who have supported the gallery and been a part of the arts community for many, many years, and the ones coming through over the last couple of years.”
As well as the live entertainment, there will be door prizes, hors d’oeuvres, handmade cocktails and a silent art auction representing the gallery’s past, present and future, all in aid of programming at the gallery.
It’s such programming, added Dacey, that’s vital to the continued success of the visual arts in Richmond.
“It began because we wanted to develop arts education programs and outreach in the community; not just an art gallery with exhibitions,” added Dacey, who will celebrate a year in RAGA’s director role on the same day as the event.
“And it allowed us to go after non-profit funding sources, such as grants and sponsorship. It allows us to offer robust school programs; 3,000 kids a year come through our programs.
“There are few spaces that connect youth directly to art as well as our programs do through the schools.
“As well as the schools, we do a great job nurturing local, artistic practice through our public programs. We do our best to make art as accessible as possible in Richmond.”
Tickets for Light up the Night are $15 for members; $40 for non-members (comes with a one-year membership) or $20 at the door (no membership). Entertainment and hors d’oeuvres are part of the ticket which can be bought at Richmond Cultural Centre or via PayPal online at RichmondArtGallery.org.
ArtRich 2017
The Richmond Arts Coalition (RAC), with support from the Richmond Art Gallery, the City of Richmond and the Canada 150 fund, is presenting ArtRich 2017, the second bi-annual juried exhibition for regional artists at the gallery from Dec. 2 to Dec. 31.
The exhibition celebrates local talent by providing an opportunity for emerging and established artists from Richmond and nearby communities to exhibit together.
In celebration of Canada’s 150th, artists were encouraged in particular to consider environment, diversity, and reconciliation in their work. RAC is an advocacy organization whose mandate is to support and promote all forms of the arts in Richmond. The opening reception will be on Friday, Dec. 1, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and is open to the public.
