The Arts Council of New Westminster is reaching out to help performing arts students at Douglas College.
The arts council recently donated $8,000 to the college, bringing its Arts Council Scholarship up to $36,000.
Rick Carswell, president of the Arts Council of New Westminster, said in a press release that membership of the council covers all areas of the arts. but recently the performing arts has received a greater focus.
"We try to focus on our strengths, and we are strong in the visual arts and getting stronger in the literary arts, so with Douglas's reputation in the performing arts, this scholarship donation makes perfect sense," he said.
The money for the donation came from the council's key donors and supporters, including Hilda Cliffe and Tony Antonias.
Andrée St. Martin, executive director of the arts council, said the council chose to fund a scholarship to help recognize and encourage excellence.
"The productions at Douglas are very professional, from acting to the stage sets, music and dance - and it is all right here in our community," she said.
*
The New Westminster Public Library is marking National Poetry Month with a celebration of poetry April 8.
The Tuesday evening event features Candice James and Renée Sarojini Saklikar, followed by an open mike.
Candice, for those who haven't already encountered her, is the city's poet laureate and is also active with a host of poetry and writing organizations - including the Royal City Literary Arts Society, the League of Canadian Poets, Poetic Justice, Poetry in the Park and the Federation of B.C. Writers.
A library press release notes that her poetry, articles, short stories and reviews have been published internationally, and she has also published five poetry books - including the latest, Ekphrasticism: Painted Word, with painter Don Portelance.
Renée was recently seen on these pages, thanks to her nomination for a B.C. Book Prize - she's up for the honour for her first book of poetry, children of air India, about the bombing of Air India Flight 182.
The New West native also writes thecanadaproject, a lifelong poem chronicle that covers life from India to Canada - by way of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Northern Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and B.C. Check it out at thecanadaproject.wordpress.com.
The Tuesday, April 8 event is sponsored by the League of Canadian Poets. It gets underway at 7 p.m.
To register, call 604-527-4667 or email [email protected].
The library is at 716 Sixth Ave., uptown.
*
Children in Queensborough are being invited to get arty.
The Artists in the Boro group is sponsoring an art invitational for local children aged five to 12. (Thanks to Saniki Creations for sharing this one on Facebook - which is where I spotted it.)
The theme is "What I like about Queensborough," and children are invited to create art in any form - drawing, painting, colouring, collage - on an eight-by-10-inch paper (plus a plain one-inch border for matting).
The art should reflect what the young artist most enjoys about where s/he lives.
Art should be submitted to the front desk at the Queensborough Community Centre, 920 Ewen Ave., no later than Wednesday, April 30.
On the back of the work, artists should print their name, the title of their picture, phone number and, if possible, an email address of a parent or guardian.
*
While we're on the subject of young artists, I thought I'd highlight a few of the offerings from the city's spring Leisure Guide.
Since it's 84 pages long, I won't try to mention everything, but here are a few highlights for the artistically inclined youngster in your household:
* Kaleidoscope of the Arts: This program for five- to 10-year-olds covers art in manyh forms: printmaking, clay, craft projects and cartooning. It runs from April 9 to June 4 on Wednesdays at Centennial Community Centre.
* Do It Yourself Crafting: Five- to 11-year-olds will make crafts using duct tape and recycled materials. It runs Mondays from April 7 to May 12 at Queensborough Community Centre.
* Art Studio Paint, Shine and Show: Five- to 10-year-olds can discover painting, drawing and collage while preparing an art exhibit and show for the final class. It runs Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8 p.m., April 22 to May 20, at Queensborough Community Centre.
* Youth Eco-Art Adventures: Nine- to 14-year-olds can explore art on environmental themes in mixed media painting, drawing and collage. It runs Thursdays from April 24 to May 22 at Queensborough Community Centre.
* Creative Cartooning: Nine- to 16-year-olds learn the basics of drawing such as colour, composition, depth and perspective. They'll learn to draw classic cartoon characters and how to develop their own character. All skill levels welcome - it runs Mondays from April 7 to May 12 at Queensborough Community Centre.
These and a host of other programs are getting up and running now for the new spring sessions, so don't delay - you can pick up a Leisure Guide at a city facility or check it out online at newwestpcr.ca.
*
Do you know someone in the New Westminster arts community who deserves to be seen in the paper?
We've started up a new profile series, Fill in the Blanks, that gives interesting folks from the arts and entertainment community a chance to introduce themselves to readers. (Check out the Related Stories links below for a few examples.)
It's already proving to be very popular, but I always welcome suggestions about interesting people to profile.
Please, don't be shy - if you'd like to be featured, or you know someone who should, send me an email, [email protected], with a few details and contact information.
*
Do you have an item for Lively City? Send arts and entertainment suggestions to Julie, [email protected], or find her on Twitter, @juliemaclellan.
