The dynamic nature artwork of local painter Ezmina Samaroo is on display at the Gibsons Public Market until May 5. Samaroo’s work is inspired by the geographic locales observed over the course of a lifetime. The artwork focuses on the essence of things, seen through a minimalist lens, and explores quiet transitions.
Twenty-five per cent of sale proceeds will be donated back to support programming at the Gibsons Public Market.
Driving Madeleine
The Sunshine Coast Film Society is gearing up to screen its last film of the season at the Heritage Playhouse in Gibsons on April 14 at 7:30 p.m. and at the Raven’s Cry Theatre in Sechelt on April 17.
The 2022 French drama Driving Madeleine (Une Belle Course) tells the story of 92-year-old Madeleine, who calls a taxi to take her to the retirement home where she will be living. Charles, a disillusioned driver with a tender heart, agrees to drive by the places that affected Madeleine’s life. Through the streets of Paris, her extraordinary past is revealed. They don’t know it yet, but they will forge a friendship during this drive that will change their lives.
Society membership is required for admission. Membership and tickets can be arranged by browsing to scfs.ca. Membership is limited to those 18 and older.
Sculpting an exit
Celebrated Coast ceramics artist Laurie Rolland (recently a highlight of the Pottery Prowl) is retiring and moving away from the Coast in April. She will be displaying a selection of functional work and a sizable selection of one-of-a-kind pieces in her Davis Bay showroom this weekend. The sale takes place on March 29 and 30, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on both days. The Laurie Rolland Pottery Studio is located at 4676 Whitaker Road, in Sechelt.
Persian New Year celebration
On the 13th and final day of Norouz (Persian New Year) celebrations, Sizdah Be-Dar takes place: it’s a day when families and friends gather and picnic in a park near a body of flowing water.
As part of this tradition, each person ties a knot in the sabzeh (sprouted wheatgrass), makes a wish, and tosses the sabzeh in the river. This symbolizes letting go of the old, and welcoming in the new.
Sizdah Be-Dar falls on a Wednesday this year, but event organizers have opted to gather on the following Sunday, April 6, to make it easier for everyone to attend.
Local Norouz event listings on Facebook include instructions on how to grow your own sabzeh to bring along.
Traditionally this is a day to picnic together in the park; participants are encouraged to make their favourite dish to share and/or bring a donation to contribute. The gathering takes place from noon to 3 p.m. at Cliff Gilker Park, at 3110 Sunshine Coast Highway.
Sunday Film Series in Sechelt
The free film series presented by the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre continues in April with a short documentary titled Collective Agency.
The film is a creative portrait of a group of seniors who embarked on a unique photo-based public art project in Vancouver. Under the guidance of curator and artist Ann Pollock, and with the support of artist mentors Christos Dikeakos and Birthe Piontek, the group was introduced to photography and learned to interpret it as a multifaceted art practice.
Through a series of intimate interviews and insights, Collective Agency captures their journey of personal and artistic growth, culminating in a local exhibition and public art installations.
The film will be screened at 2 p.m. on April 6, at the Sunshine Coast Arts Centre (5714 Medusa Street).
For the record
Last week’s coverage of the Shout Out! exhibition in Gibsons wrongly referred to the implement wielded by artist PhatCat as a mace. In his wizard’s guise, PhatCat would not brandish a weapon — it’s a staff that conducts his powers. Additionally, the Juxtapose 5 exhibition which took place last weekend at the Rockwood Lodge was its second annual incarnation; the digit refers to the number of artists that constitute the bracingly-original collective.
