VILLAGE ART LIVE: Demos in the Garden

Daphne Scaman teaches her pottery moves. Join us on Aug 3 & 4.

Experience live art demonstrations at “Demos in the Garden” on Sunday August 3 and Monday (BC Day) August 4, 2014 at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery.

HISTORIC MATTERS: A good footing for Coulter Berry

Pouring the foundation for Coulter Berry commenced July 7, 2014

The most environmentally friendly building ever for Fort Langley is finally back underway. A dispute over architectural density delayed the pouring of footings for six months. Last week, three Supreme Court Justices agreed that construction should never have been interrupted. Now, Coulter Berry is back on track to help make the village more sustainable, livable and vibrant. This morning the first truck arrived to cement the footings for Coulter Berry. Hip Hip Hooray!

The geothermal field, one of Coulter Berry’s many green features, was completed in June 2014

HAPPY CANADA DAY: Congratulations to Ed and Vi

Kurt Alberts & Susan Rind congratulate Vi Froese for winning the Sky Phoenix bracelet at the B.C. Gallery

WEST COAST HOMES: Historic inspiration

McBride Station in Vancouver Sun June 14/14. Alan Wylie painting on front page WestCoastHomes section.

McBride Station is on a site in Fort Langley that once formed part of the country estate of early settler Charles Edward Hope. Hope House is a painting Alan Wylie was commissioned to create for Fort Langley’s Birthplace of B.C. Gallery. Many of the townhomes take their exterior design inspiration from heritage buildings.
Click to see story in Vancouver Sun: McBride Station homes in Fort Langley will speak to both the past and the present.

WATERMEDIA: Showing you the colour wheel

The Birthplace of B.C Gallery is showing off for its 18th Anniversary! The best watercolour artists in the west show their true colours all of June and July. The Gallery’s current show pays tribute to artists painting in watercolour such as American Watercolour Society Award winners, Stephen Quiller, Alan Wylie and Kiff Holland. Quiller is best know for his innovative approach to watermedia painting combining watercolour, gouache, acrylic, and casein. Wylie and Holland, too, are masters of watercolour compositions for which they have received international recognition.

Colorado’s Stephen Quiller has written many books on watercolour painting.

Alan Wylie’s watercolour paintings have won numerous top North American awards.

HEIDI LAMBERT: The West Coast Trail. WATERCOLOUR.

See “WATERCOLOURS”, paintings in watermedia by Quiller, Wylie, Holland and many more. The best in the west! WATERCOLOURS Now showing at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery through June and July 2014.

TORCHED AGAIN: Seniors Games event in Fort Langley

Remember 2010? The 2014 BC Games torchlighting ceremony comes to Fort Langley June 5/14

The torch for the 2014 Seniors Games will be officially ignited in Fort Langley this week at the Bedford Channel community plaza on the Fort to Fort Trail. The community is invited to witness the ceremony at the waterfront near Kwantlen Nation’s Lelem Cafe on Thursday June 5, 2014 at 6:30 pm.

See you in Fort Langley on June 5, 2014 to rekindle the Olympic spirit from 2010.

HOT OFF THE PRESS: Fort Langley Villager

The new edition of the Fort Langley Villager magazine is now available.

Pick up a copy of the Fort Langley Villager at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery, Euphoria Chocolates or other Fort Langley shops.

HISTORIC TRUST: Willoughby Hall reopens

Sitting near a piece of one of the original cedar logs that held up the Willoughby Community Hall starting in the late 1930s, musician Willie MacCalder warmed up for the hall’s grand re-opening on Saturday. Photograph By Troy Landreville/Langley Advance

The long awaited re-opening of the restored Willoughby Community Hall (208 St & 83 Ave) was celebrated in style with bagpipes, flag raising, ribbon cutting and speeches. See more of Saturday’s grand re-opening ceremony at: www.willoughbyhall.wordpress.com

Grand re-opening ceremony at the Willoughby Community Hall

MAY DAY PARADE: Monday May 19 in Fort Langley

The 2014 May Day Parade will be the 92nd year of the parade

The 92nd annual May Day Parade in Fort Langley starts at 11 am, but come early to get parked and enjoy the Lions Pancake Breakfast (Lions Hall at 88th & Glover). After the parade go to the Community Park (vendors, rides, mini-golf, May Pole Dancing, live entertainment and the Lions Famous Chicken BBQ).

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY: Memories of Kookaburras

Happy Mothers’ Day painting by Allan Hancock

Kookaburras are in the Kingfisher family but their ebullient nature sets them apart. The distinctive sound of the Laughing Kookaburras call, echoing human laughter, makes for high-spirited birding in the wilds of Australia. What better gift to give the mom who visits with the kids down under, then an Allan Hancock painting of these cute and noisy mascots from the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

HISTORIC TRUST: Willoughby Hall restored

Willoughby Community Hall painted by Al Colton

Al Colton painted the Willoughby Hall for a community fundraiser organized by the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery (Historic Trust). The 2010 Concert at Chief Sepass Theatre, in memory of Shirley and Roy Baker, raised funds to help with the restoration of the hall. Colton’s painting is now on permanent display in the restored Willoughby Hall as a reminder of the community’s generosity.
A Grand Re-Opening of the Willoughby Community Hall will be held on the afternoon of May 24, 2014.

NATURE’S PALETTE: Show opens tomorrow

Showing Off: Jack Turpin, Amanda Jones and Perry Haddock at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery

Saturday May 3 is the beginning of a new exhibition of BC art at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery. Visit with top gallery artists, Amanda Jones, Perry Haddock and Jack Turpin, this weekend, 1 PM to 4 PM, Saturday and Sunday.

NATURE’S PALETTE: by Haddock, Jones and Turpin

Today Amanda Jones brought her new paintings to the Gallery for the upcoming show, “Nature’s Palette”

Nature’s Palette by Perry Haddock, Amanda Jones and Jack Turpin will be exhibited at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery from May 3 through to May 31, 2014. Artists will be in attendance for the show opening, Saturday May 3 and Sunday May 4, from Noon to 4 pm.

AMANDA JONES. Riverside Trail (Ft to Ft). Acrylic 24×36

ART ON ICE: Jones and Falck join King Richard

This gallery contains 3 photos.

King Richard Brodeur’s annual “Art on Ice” show opens on Saturday March 29, 2014 also featuring Amanda Jones and Patricia Falck.

HERITAGE MATTERS: Coulter Berry making history

Support for Coulter Berry building continues to grow

While not intended, a rally at the Fort Langley Community Hall today brought back the joyful memory of the ground breaking celebration of the Coulter Berry building in August of 2013. The on-again off-again drama of the building’s construction continues to fuel the coffee shop conversations. Another round of public hearings on the Coulter Berry Building commences at Township of Langley Council Chambers this Monday evening (March 10, 2014).

A big turn out in Fort Langley to launch the start of construction of the Coulter Berry building last summer

HISTORIC TRUST: Gallery helps Barbados heritage site

Brenda Alberts, on behalf of the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery, makes presentation to Black Star Liner

Black Star Liner is passionate about preserving the historic Pothouse Spring community lands in St. John’s Parish in Barbados. Almost single-handedly Black has been the volunteer custodian of the site which includes a natural spring and the remains of a 17th century plantation. Pothouse, also the name of a nearby village, refers to pottery making which used to be a plantation based industry. With good clay deposits in Barbados, pots were originally made for use in the manufacture of sugar. To help Black with his gardening endeavours the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery donated an inverter, the last critical component needed for his solar energy system, to run his irrigation pump. Pothouse Spring is located a short distance from St. John’s Church built in 1645. Barbados Day is planned this year at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery on Saturday August 16, 2014.

Pothouse Spring, a unique site connected to the history of Barbados

HERITAGE MATTERS: Opening of arts & cultural cafe

Kwantlen artist, Drew Atkins and Kevin Kelly with King Richard Brodeur and Brenda Alberts

This morning the Fort Langley community celebrated the opening of a beautiful new coffee shop on the riverfront. The LELEM’ Arts and Cultural Cafe operated by Seyem’ Qwantlen was launched with a traditional Kwantlen First Nation ceremony. The cafe, located on Billy Brown Road, overlooking the Bedford Channel, will serve local organic cuisine with a First Nations twist and JJ Bean specialty coffees. “LELEM'” means “our home” – a place to gather. Meet you at lelem’ on the Fort to Fort Trail!

The LELEM’ Arts & Cultural Cafe, on the Fort to Fort Trail, opened Nov 30, 2013

HOT STUFF: An evening to remember by Amanda Jones

Amanda Jones delivers on “An Evening to Remember”

The Birthplace of B.C. Gallery is now showing the very best of Amanda Jones. Her most recent accomplishment is worth a special visit to the Gallery. Congratulations, Amanda!

RICHARD BRODEUR: It’s just like Christmas!

The Winning Goal by Richard Brodeur raised $4,000 at fundraiser.

A painting by BC artist and Canucks’ former goalie, King Richard Brodeur scored big time at last night’s annual fundraiser for Aldergrove/Fort Langley MLA, the Hon. Rich Coleman. The evening’s theme, “It’s just like Christmas!”, recalled the B.C. Liberals’ unbelievable win this past provincial election. You, too, can make a wish… for a King Richard painting this Christmas.

AMANDA JONES: BC art for new Deloitte offices

Birthplace of B.C. Gallery artist, Amanda Jones in new Deloitte offices in Langley

Rainforest Boardwalk, a painting by Amanda Jones was selected by accounting firm Deloitte for their new offices at the 200th Street Interchange (Suite 600, 8621 – 201 Street). Paintings by Perry Haddock provide additional west coast art flair to the accountants’ new digs in Langley. Both artists are with the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery in Fort Langley. The Gallery has been serving major corporations with BC artwork for the past 17 years.

VOLUNTEERS MATTER: Thank you! to Shelly Roche

Brenda and Kurt Alberts present “Outstanding Volunteer” Award to Shelly Roche

Gallery Artist, Joyce Trygg teamed up with gallery owner, Brenda Alberts, to pay tribute to an outstanding community volunteer. Shelly was honoured for her dedication and remarkable work for the Langley Animal Shelter.

CRANBERRY FESTIVAL: Jack Turpin showed his stuff

Jack Turpin with a panel of judges checking the progress

Painter, Jack Turpjn was in Fort Langley demonstrating at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery on Cranberry Festival (Saturday October 12, 2013). Turpin was joined by fellow gallery artists, Heidi Lambert, Joyce Trygg, Susan Rind, and Mike Steward in “demos in the fall garden”.

A Private Moment, just finished by Jack Turpin

GALLERY ANNIVERSARY: Art for Willoughby Community Hall

Mary Martini presents to Karl Driese, President of the Willoughby Hall Society – Kurt & Brenda the bookends

The Willoughby Community Hall has served the community for 89 years. The Hall is under restoration with a new foundation and will continue to serve the Willoughby community. On Saturday evening at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery the Hall’s volunteers were recognized. On behalf of everyone who came to the 2010 Heritage Matters Concert, Mary Martini presented Karl Driese, the President of the Hall Society, with an original Al Colton painting of the Hall. Karl said the painting will become part of the decor in the newly restored community hall.

GALLERY ANNIVERSARY: 17th celebration, a musical treat

Legendary Willie MacCalder and Langley’s Cole Armour performed at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery

Brenda and Kurt Alberts celebrated 17 years of operating the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery on Saturday evening (Sept 21, 2013). Music in the Garden was provided by Willie MacCalder, legendary blues pianist of Powder Blues Band fame, and Langley’s own young musical sensation, Cole Armour. Gallery artist, Jack Turpin, received special recognition for his painting, “The Last Frontier”, a large image of which will be featured on the wall of a new building in Fort Langley. Al Colton’s painting of the Willoughby Community Hall was presented to the President of the Willoughby Hall Society for permanent display in the, soon to be completed, restored Hall. Jewelry artist, Susan Rind unveiled her Wild Star creations at the 17th Anniversary Garden Party.

Brenda Alberts with Susan Rind and Cole Armour receiving Titanic painting from Brenda and Kurt

HERITAGE MATTERS: 250 cheer start of Coulter Berry

The official ground breaking for the Coulter Berry building on August 20

On Tuesday evening an enthusiastic crowd welcomed the Coulter Berry building with an official ground breaking ceremony.

BARBADOS DAY: Fundraiser helps keep heritage alive

Barbados Day was celebrated at the Gallery on Sat. Aug 10, 2013

Hip Hip Hooray! Last Saturday’s “Barbados Day” event at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery helped the Fort Langley Lions raise funds for next year’s May Day Parade. The annual parade, continuously running for over 90 years, is part of our community heritage. In addition to the work the Lions do in organizing the parade itself, they also work to raise the money needed to cover costs such as for the bands.
A great big “thank you” to all who came out to contribute to the cause and sample the tastes of Barbados (ham cutters, macaroni pie, jerk chicken and coconut water).
Thank you to Governor James Douglas (aka Bruce Mavis) and his mother Martha Ann (aka Elizabeth Bako) and their entourage of re-enactors for bringing our connection to Barbados in history to life. Martha Ann was born in Barbados, as was Colonel Richard Moody who also attended the occasion along with his wife Mary.
James Douglas was taken by his father from his birth mother when he was only nine years old. 200 years later, the Governor was finally reunited with his mom and in her honour officially proclaimed last Saturday as “Barbados Day”. Mayor Jack Froese and the Honorary Consul for Barbados, Marilyn Moseley, then raised the Barbados Day. Thanks to Marilyn and Wilma King-Bennett, the Honorary Consul for Jamaica, for their inspiration and encouragement of the Caribbean themed event. And thanks to all the other participants especially the BC Farm Machinery and Agricultural Museum for making the afternoon fun and special. The success of the Lions’ fundraiser would not have been possible without the generosity of the sponsors (Country Lane Antiques: Euphoria Chocolates; Freybe Gourmet Foods; Full Barrel Cafe; Lee’s Market; Krause Farms; Wagner Hills; Eric Woodward; and Birthplace of B.C. Gallery.)
Hip Hip Hooray for Fort Langley and its heritage! Click to see more photos.

BARBADOS DAY at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery

(From Left) Brenda Alberts, Mark Robertson, Mayor Jack Froese, Elizabeth Bako, Bruce Mavis

(from left) Brenda & Kurt; Donna & David Spense; Gar, Marci,Gord; Wilma King-Bennett, Marilyn Moseley

Mayor Jack Froese and Honorary Consul of Barbados, Marilyn Moseley raise Barbados Flag

Caribbean vibe provided by Mike Layne and the Tropitonics

(from left) Ted Bowman, Krause Farms; Freybe booth; Lions’ Pres. Lynda Davidson

1919 Model T Truck courtesy BC Farm Machinery & Agricultural Museum

(from left) Scruffles, Susan Rind; Tropitonics; Colonel Moody (aka David Spense)

(from left) Linda Muttitt, Amanda Jones, Brenda Alberts, Susan Rind; Gallery Palm; Shelly Roche

Fundraising Event for the Fort Langley Lions (for May Day Parade) Sponsored by
Country Lane Antiques: Euphoria Chocolates; Freybe Gourmet Foods; Full Barrel Cafe; Lee’s Market; Krause Farms; Wagner Hills; Eric Woodward; and Birthplace of B.C. Gallery.

ART DEMOS 2013: Birthplace of B.C. Gallery

The artists of the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery thank you for your support

The artists of the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery give a “big thank you” to everyone that came out yesterday and today for the 13th annual “Demos in the Garden”.
HERITAGE MATTERS: Next weekend at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery: “Barbados Day” Saturday (August 10) Noon to 4 pm. 1 pm Barbados flag raising ceremony with ghosts from the past (Governor Douglas, Colonel Moody, and …..)

ON NOW: Art and Culture in August

Sunday Aug 4 and Monday Aug 5 “Demos in the Garden” and Saturday Aug 10 “Barbados Day”

Celebrate the BC Day weekend in Fort Langley. Artists will be in the gardens of the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery for the annual “Demos in the Garden” from 11 am to 4 pm on Sunday and Monday (August 4 and 5). And on Saturday August 10 join us for “Barbados Day” between Noon and 4 pm for Caribbean lunch, steel band, and fun (fundraiser for Fort Langley Lions).

AUGUST 4 AND 5: Annual Demos in the Garden

Gallery Artists in the Gardens of the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery

Celebrate the BC Day Weekend in Fort Langley. The Gallery Artists of the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery will be demonstrating in the gallery gardens on Sunday August 4 and Monday August 5, 2013 from 11 am to 4 pm each day.

Annual Demos in the Garden at Birthplace of B.C. Gallery

GALLERY GALS: Give big boost to Relay for Life

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Congratulations to the GALLERY GALS. You are awesome!

ALAN WYLIE: 75th and final solo show

This gallery contains 2 photos.

Alan Wylie’s 75th solo show marks a career highlight and coincides with his 75th birthday. The show opens on Sunday June 16, 2013 (Noon to 4 pm) at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery in Fort Langley. Wylie has pulled out … Continue reading →

MAY DAY! MAY DAY!: 91st Parade on Monday

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Read all about it at maydayfortlangley.com.

JACK TURPIN: Paints the town!

Jack Turpin is painting the town in Fort Langley at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery. From Country Lane Antiques to the CN Station and back to Coulter Berry and Frontier Hardware.

Jack Turpin is painting the town and now showing at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery

PURR-FECTION: Cat sculpture endorsed by experts

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Birthplace of B.C. Gallery artist, Margo Harrison, makes sure that all her sculptures of cats are as life-like as possible. Her recent completion of a commissioned work, Theo, is shown here getting a close inspection by Cleo and Chloe. According … Continue reading →

SHOW ALERT: New horizons set by Amanda Jones

This gallery contains 1 photo.

Wait ’til you see what three of the artists are up to next at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery! Absolutely stunning new work by Jack Turpin, Perry Haddock and Amanda Jones. Collectors call Brenda now for information about the special … Continue reading →

2013 ART ON ICE: King Richard Brodeur is back in goal!

RICHARD BRODEUR. Into the Night. Acrylic 16×20

The annual “Art on Ice” Show will be in full action starting this weekend with new paintings by hockey legend, King Richard Brodeur. Inspired by his childhood memories of backyard hockey, he couldn’t resist putting himself back in goal for his painting, “Into the Night”. The show opens Saturday March 23 at the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery in Fort Langley. Visit with King Richard on Saturday or Sunday (Noon to 4 pm). The show continues to April 10, 2013.

Congratulations to Dianna Ponting! The BC Wildlife Federation has chosen Dianna Ponting as their 2013 Artist of the Year for her painting of a trio of raccoons, “Masked Musketeers”. The “Artist of the Year” program was established by the BCWF to honour artists whose work exhibits the beauty of BC’s fish, wildlife and habitats. As British Columbia’s oldest and largest conservation organization, the BCWF has over 40,000 members passionately committed to protecting, enhancing and promoting the wise use of the environment for the benefit of present and future generations.

BIRTHPLACE OF BC: Connecting with Barbados

This gallery contains 3 photos.

During their recent visit to Barbados, Brenda and Kurt Alberts of the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery were invited to a reception at the residence of Prime Minister Freundel Stuart. The Alberts, together with other longstanding visitors to the Caribbean island, … Continue reading →

GALLERY RE-OPENS ON JANUARY 27 WITH NEW PAINTINGS

This gallery contains 1 photo.

After a month of renewal and renovation, the Birthplace of B.C. Gallery reopens with new paintings by our gallery artists this Sunday January 27, 2013. Visit the Gallery and rejuvenate your artistic appreciation.