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Coquitlam Heritage Society show looks at important moments in time

Capturing Moments: Chronicling Our Lives opens at Place des Arts in Coquitlam on Jan. 22.
Janis Cleugh

Do you have one object that highlights a special moment in time — on a personal or societal level?

The Coquitlam Heritage Society has commissioned and collected about three dozen items from the community that present specific periods, told through artwork, news clippings, or journals.

On Friday, the society opens its first show of the year, titled Capturing Moments: Chronicling Our Lives, at Place des Arts, to exhibit pieces and artifacts that bring substantial meaning.

Among the objects on show, until March 18, is a scrapbook belonging to Sydney Wade that was donated by his son, Ken, a 50-year-old resident of Coquitlam.

An English native who spent much of his life in the Kootenays, Wade compiled the scrapbook and pasted in news articles, photos and other memorabilia over the decades.

Insiyah Dharsee, 13, turned her attention during the COVID-19 pandemic last year to painting rocks. She sold many of her stones and gave the proceeds to pay for supplies at long-term care homes. Three of her colourful creations — with Dr. Bonnie Henry’s advice to “Be Kind, Be Calm, Be Safe — are also on display at Place des Arts.

There is commissioned artistry by Coquitlam artists Rose Kapp and Kathleen Tennant; a log about staying at home after the provincial health officer declared the outbreak; a COVID-19 dictionary (with new terms); a graphite drawing depicting the Black Lives Matter rally in Vancouver last June; a mixed media project about the impact of North and South Korea’s strained relations; an autograph book; and “old master” paintings by Nino Dobrosavljevic.

Tannis Koskela, the society’s heritage manager for exhibits, told the Tri-City News that the idea for the new show started after her group invited the public to take part in The Journal Project, last spring. Over the summer, the society had an event at Mackin House Museum with the Coquitlam Public Library to ask the public to contribute to a larger journal.

That journal is also in the Capturing Moments exhibit for viewers to add notes about their experiences during the pandemic (comments can also be emailed via [email protected]).

• To view Capturing Moments: Chronicling Our Lives, book an appointment time with Place des Arts (1120 Brunette Ave., Coquitlam) by calling 604-664-1636 (ext. 0).