Take a West Coast vacation in the Douglas gallery

New art exhibit features BC’s beautiful outdoors

By Cheryl Minns, Arts Editor

If you’re looking for a vacation with seaside scenery, sunsets, and serenity, check out the new Scenes from the West Coast exhibit at the Amelia Douglas Gallery on the fourth floor of the Douglas College New Westminster campus. The exhibit features a variety of nature-themed artwork from artists Marilyn Atkey and Lea Price, and is open now until July 2.

The artists chose the theme because the West Coast has been a part of their lives for many years: Atkey has spent most of her life in British Columbia while Price moved to BC from Los Angeles in 1972.

Some of their favourite works on display are the ones that were inspired by loved ones.

Atkey’s favourite piece, Fog Rolling in Near Friendly Cove, Nootka Sound, came to be after her father suggested a trip to Nootka Sound.

“I think I like all the different colours of the water when it’s moving,” she said. “That worked out well for me. And the fog was rolling in. Typical West Coast.”

Another painting of hers that she enjoys is Surface of a Glacier, which is based off of a photo she took when she went to Alaska with her father for his 80th birthday.

“I love painting reflections in water,” she said. “I got myself through the heat wave last summer by painting glaciers. And it worked!”

One of Price’s favourite paintings is Boundary Bay Morning, which depicts a tree near the bay during a sunrise.

“My husband called me up one morning, because he left pretty early at 6 a.m., and said, ‘Lea, you’ve got to get up! You’ve got to come see the sunrise!’” she said.

“So I went and it was just so magical and so peaceful, and it was nice and warm, and the birds were singing. It was just this whole peaceful heaven right there. That’s why it’s probably one of my favourite ones.”

Price also teaches art to those interested in the craft and has had a range of students from those in their early 20s to those in their early 90s. She shows them techniques, but encourages them to find their own artistic style that suits them.

“I call myself a doorknob,” she explained. “Picture yourself in a round room with eight or 10 doors. I’ll open up this one, you go down that path and learn that technique. But pretty soon you’re going to come back in here again. It’s just a matter of teaching people to trust themselves.”

Atkey’s and Price’s works in the gallery are available for purchase. Details and prices can be found in the exhibit’s program.