SPRING EXHIBITIONS
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art presents Kihl ‘Yahda Christian White: Master Haida Artist
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art presents the Vancouver premiere of the retrospective exhibition Kihl ‘Yahda Christian White: Master Haida Artist, on display February 1, 2025 – February 1, 2026. The exhibition is an expansive examination of the multidisciplinary Haida artist – whose work ranges from intricate argillite carvings and monumental sculptures to ocean going cedar canoes and gold and silver jewelry – as well as his lifelong commitment to the preservation and celebration of Haida stories, songs, and dances. The exhibition will also feature numerous carved works created in collaboration with eight of White’s key apprentices, representing the next generation of contemporary Haida artists. A series of public programs, featuring White and his apprentices, will take place during the exhibition’s year-long run - including an artist talk, a panel discussion, and art demonstrations. For admission information and complete event details, visit: billreidgallery.ca
(Bill Reid Gallery, Feb. 1 - Feb. 1, 2026)
Nuxalk Strong: Dancing Down the Eyelashes of the Sun
The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) at UBC presents the world premiere of Nuxalk Strong: Dancing Down the Eyelashes of the Sun, on display at MOA from February 21, 2025–January 5, 2026. This first-of-its-kind exhibition is dedicated to showcasing the rich culture and worldview of the Nuxalk Nation, an Indigenous community that has lived and stewarded land on the central coast of BC for more than 14,000 years. Featuring treasures and artworks housed at MOA, and loans from six participating museums, private and Nuxalk family collections, Nuxalk Strong will highlight the resurging strength and sovereignty of the Nuxalk Nation as it heals from colonization. Witness how the community is reclaiming and restoring the knowledge found within their masks, regalia, weavings, and carvings for living and future generations. MOA will celebrate the opening of the exhibition on Thursday, February 20, from 6 to 9pm, with free museum admission for all. To learn more about the exhibition, visit moa.ubc.ca
(Museum of Anthropology, Feb. 21 – Jan. 5, 2026)
Beyond Botanical
The vegetation around us is often overlooked & taken for granted, consumed or disposed of. Lens based artists Axel Breutigam & JanaLee Cherneski offer us new ways of looking at plants, fruits & vegetables through dynamic image making - to appreciate their own rich existences & our interconnectedness. Axel Breutigam reimagines humble vegetables & fruits in ways that go beyond their conventional identities. Through intentional motion blur & dramatic lighting, he seeks to convey a sense of fluidity & ephemerality that reflects the fleeting nature of life itself. JanaLee Cherneski spent this past summer & fall, diving into a nearby lake everday to capture the underwater plants, documenting their lifecycles through reflections, sunlight, motion & bubbles that changed the colour & quality of the water; illuminating & disrupting the images.
(Kay Meek Arts Centre, 1700 Mathers Ave, West Vancouver, Apr. 15 - May. 18)
Falsework.
Falsework, curated by Mitch Kenworthy, is a collaboration between artists Simon Grefiel and kiyoshi. Guided by an ethos of care, support, and reciprocity, these artists privilege the act and process of making. Evidenced throughout their interdisciplinary practices are materials and techniques readily gleaned, appropriated, and misappropriated from the various trades and construction work they do to earn a living. For Simon and kiyoshi, artwork and the work around it are not discrete activities.
Opening | Thursday, May 1 | 6 PM to 8 PM. Running May 1 to June 14, 2025.
(grunt gallery, #116–350 East 2nd Avenue, Vancouver, May. 1 - Jun. 14)
MOSAIC REVIVAL:Three Contemporary Expressions
MOSAIC REVIVAL: Three Contemporary expressions bring together the works of three internationally acclaimed mosaic artists from British Columbia: Daryl Wood, Lilian Broca, and Maria Abagis. Join the artists for the exhibition opening on Thursday, May 1, 6pm-8pm, and for their artist talk Saturday, May 24, 2pm - 4pm.
Shining the spotlight on this ancient medium; these artists challenge the viewer’s perception of what a mosaic is, and its relevance in the art world today. Mosaics, the art of arranging small pieces of coloured glass, stone and ceramic to create intricate images, has played an important aesthetic, cultural and historical role throughout the millennia. While lesser known in North America, there is a growing community of mosaic artists in Canada, many of whom are making a splash and a name for themselves on the international stage, including the artists in this exhibit.
CityScape Community ArtSpace is a free gallery.
(CityScape Community ArtSpace, 335 Lonsdale Avenue, May. 2 - Jun. 6)
The Expressive Body
Artists Derry Lubell & Jeidn Winkler use the human form to tell universal stories & explore ideas around identity, connection & communication. Photographer Derry Lubell captures dancers in motion, inviting us into to explore the power of communicating through movement & image. Lubell's dancers range from beginners to internationally lauded ballerinas, some situated in the studio while others are freely moving about urban & natural settings, all engaged in the moment their bodies speak to us in the language of emotion. Multi-disciplinary artist Jeidn Winkler uses self-portraiture to delve into the complexities of identity & subjectivity through works alternating in stylistic elements & media such as photography, paint & coloured pencil. Informed by personal experiences as a queer artist living with BPD, Winkler's chronicle of their ever-evolving identity invites us to reflect on our own experiences & engage in a shared exploration of identity & selfhood. Presented by West Vancouver Community Arts Council.
(Silk Purse Arts Centre, 1570 Argyle Ave, West Vancouver, May. 7 - Jun. 1)
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art presents Vital Signs
Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art (BRG) presents the West Coast premiere of Vital Signs, on display from May 14 - September 7, 2025. Co-curated by Aliya Boubard, BRG Curator, and Amelia Rea, Assistant Curator, Vital Signs explores the critical impacts on Indigenous people, communities, and traditional territories of recurring natural disasters caused by climate change - including flooding, fires, drought, and, in many areas, a decline of species for hunting and fishing. This timely exhibition features six Indigenous artists who, through various mediums—traditional and digital media, paintings, carvings, photography, and regalia—explore the personal impact and lasting effects of climate change on their traditional territories, which they have been actively fighting to protect for generations. The exhibition title, ‘Vital Signs,’ refers to the measurements of the body’s most basic functions, but is also a reference to how the land is essential to our being and is a living entity itself. The public opening reception will take place at the BRG on May 13 from 6pm to 8pm. For further details, visit: www.billreidgallery.ca
(639 Hornby St, May. 14 - Sept. 7)
Tracing the Unbound: Past, Present, and Future of Port Moody
Tracing the Unbound uncovers the connections between time, place, and memory through the eyes of the Port Moody Art Association (PMAA). Featuring sweeping landscapes and intimate portrayals of local features, the exhibition offers reflective interpretations of Port Moody. Each piece tells a story, whether through the lens of the community’s history, by capturing its present, or imagining what lies ahead.
This exhibition showcases original works by PMAA artists, emphasizing the association's commitment to fostering creative development and encouraging awareness and appreciation of art. The PMAA serves as a platform where freedom of expression thrives, ensuring a dynamic connection between artists, their patrons, and the city they call home.
Participating Artists:
Nickey Bayne, Karen Baynton, Arlene Connolly, Daphne Douglas, Evelia Espinosa, Laura Genovese, Kathryn Gibson, Olivera Habibovic, Edith Henkel, Jessie Kaur, Jennifer Krauss, Barb Krell, Jai K. Lee, Ji Soo Lee, Connie Loughton, Trish Lyons, Sahar McCullough, Belinda McNeice, Wendy Milne, Lucia Milosavljevic, Diane Norrie, Adrienne Peacock, Val Philbrook, Helen Ramsay, Carman Ruiz, Lanni Sulje, Simone Sullivan, Judy Sung, Marjorie Turnbull, Carla Vermaat, Clara Yoon, Christine Yurchuk.
(PoMoArts, 2425 St Johns, Port Moody, May. 15 - Jul. 6)
True Colours Youth Pride Art Exhibition
The True Colours exhibition creates a safe and welcoming space for Tri-City 2SLGBTQI+ youth, their families, and their allies. This exhibition focuses on celebrating diversity, promoting inclusivity, and creates a space for the unique contributions of youth artists in our community.
Participating Artists:
Jacqueline Butler, Skittles Club, Alesha Daniels, Laura Li, Leo Li, Cleo Marshall, Skyler Pope, Kay Thong
(PoMoArts, 2425 St Johns, Port Moody, May. 15 - Jul. 6)
The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) at UBC presents VALUE: Rebecca Belmore at the Museum of Anthropology
The Museum of Anthropology (MOA) at UBC presents a solo exhibition of internationally-lauded contemporary Indigenous artist Rebecca Belmore in VALUE: Rebecca Belmore at the Museum of Anthropology, on display from May 15–October 19, 2025. The exhibition offers an examination of four important works from the Anishinaabe artist’s four-decade career, which embody Belmore’s persistent critique of the ongoing condition of colonialism. Through these four large-scale installation works, Belmore challenges our notions of collective value defined by colonial institutions and contemporary social structures, prompting visitors to reflect and, perhaps, redefine their own understanding of value in terms of our relationship to land, water, objects, and, ultimately, to one another. The four works will be displayed in spaces throughout MOA. To learn more about the exhibition, visit moa.ubc.ca
(The Museum of Anthropology, 6393 NW Marine Dr, May. 15 - Oct. 19)
OTHER EVENTS
XUUYA: Raven Brings the Light
The Bill Reid Gallery proudly presents XUUYA: Raven Brings the Light—a one-night fundraising event inspired by the transformative power of Raven in Haida stories, featuring a vibrant showcase of Indigenous performance, food, and art.
Set across our beautiful indoor gallery and spacious outdoor courtyard, this lively evening includes traditional and contemporary Indigenous performances, including hip-hop and jazz, alongside guided gallery tours, artist demonstrations, a curated silent auction, and complimentary tastings of craft beer and wine.
Join us for a meaningful night of connection, creativity, and celebration in the heart of downtown Vancouver.
Thursday, June 19th, 2025 I 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm IBill Reid Gallery
EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
Hip-hop performance by Mandy Nahanee (Lady Sinncere).
Traditional opening ceremony by the Urban Haida dance group
Featuring The Thomson Band, crossing genres and playing jazz, soul and pop. The band features Haida Nation members, Rob Thomson on bass, Gillian Thomson on vocals, and Jamie Thomson on guitar. They will be joined by special guests and long-time friends Max Ley on drums and Emily Best on keyboards, two of Vancouver's finest in-demand musicians.
Artist demonstrations
Curated silent auction of experiences, travel, and artworks
Complimentary Indigenous wine and craft beer tasting with ticket purchase
Modern Indigenous charcuterie boxes, with vegetarian and gluten-free options
One-year BRG membership
Access to our current exhibitions and Shop
Each ticket purchase includes an annual membership to the Bill Reid Gallery, valued at $45. BRG memberships offer numerous benefits and perks!
By attending XUUYA, you're making a real impact.
Proceeds from your ticket help us preserve and share Indigenous Northwest Coast cultural knowledge through exhibitions, artist talks, and community programming.
(Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art, 639 Hornby St, Vancouver, Jun. 19, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m)
WORKSHOPS
Weekend Painting Workshop - Colour Mixing: Tints, Tones, & Shades!
Expand your colour mixing knowledge and create a painting! Learn how to create beautiful and rich tones, tints, and shades. Using your newfound skill and glazing techniques, you will be guided through the creation of a beautiful 16x20 Lawren Harris inspired landscape.
Sonya is a GOLDEN Artist Educator and a Mixed Media Master!
(Sonya Iwasiuk, May. 17 & 18)
Create Your Own Storyboard: From Concept to Final Frame with John Lund
This one-day intensive workshop guides participants through the process of visual storytelling by creating a complete storyboard from scratch. Designed for intermediate to advanced artists & storytellers, the session covers the essentials of storyboarding for film, animation & beyond, offering hands-on sketching, technique development, & personalized feedback.
Bring your own drawing materials. Registration: $80-$95.
You'll Leave With:
A complete or near-complete storyboard to build upon.
Insight into visual storytelling techniques in film & animation.
Personalized feedback to help improve narrative & visual skills.
Confidence to continue creating storyboards for your own creative projects.
Artist/Instructor John Lund has collaborated as a Storyboard Artist & Creative Consultant with top name directors in feature films, TV series & hundreds of commercials.
Presented by West Vancouver Community Arts Council.
(Music Box, 1564 Argyle Ave, West Vancouver, May. 31)
Weekend Art Workshop Learn How to Draw!
Enhance your ability to draw. Learn how to look and successfully transfer your subject to the page.
Practice techniques like blind contour in the studio, then draw in the local community gardens.
Carve your line drawings into plaster on a wood panel, then stain & seal it. Finish by painting using GOLDEN Fluid Acrylic Glazes.
Sonya is a Certified GOLDEN Artist Eductor
(Sonya Iwasiuk Art Studio, Jun. 21 & 22)
Ongoing Mixed Media Art Classes - Join Anytime!
Join Art Classes in Vancouver Anytime!
For beginners to practicing artists. Perfect for all levels of artists!
Start your creative journey or take your paintings next level!
Learn mixed media techniques with the Mixed Media Master!
If you don't have supplies, use mine!
(Sonya Iwasiuk, Ongoing)
