Original works by prominent Tri-City painters Colin Craig, Anna Wagner and Arlene Connolly will be for sale at a Port Coquitlam fall exhibit this weekend.
The Art Focus Artists' Association will host its 19th annual show at Leigh Square Community Arts Village, featuring more than 100 watercolour, acrylic, oil and mixed media pieces.
Past president Julie Roberts, a watercolour artist, said about 20 members from the group will display a variety of genres such as portraits, landscapes, still lifes and abstracts as well as miniature works and art cards.
And all the exhibiting artists will be on hand for the event, which will be opened by PoCo Mayor Greg Moore on Friday at 7 p.m. (with a jazz ensemble to entertain) and continues on Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
"They really enjoy talking to people and explaining how they did their paintings and what inspired them," Roberts said of the artists.
Besides the fall show, Art Focus also has a spring show to coincide with the city's May Days celebrations.
And next year, for its 20th anniversary, the group will be taking part in Port Coquitlam's 100th festivities by painting two murals, to be hung at Leigh Square in February.
Roberts said members have been busy painting 40 individual squares that, when complete, will resemble an azalea - PoCo's official flower - from afar. But on closer look, viewers will notice each artist has painted a scene within their chosen square.
Artist Doris Patko had to get permission to replicate the likeness of PoCo hometown hero Terry Fox from the Terry Fox Foundation in Chilliwack.
When Patko got the okay, Fox's sister, Judith, asked if she too could be part of the centennial art project.
"We are so pleased she wanted to join us," said Roberts, noting Fox's square will be placed at the top centre of one of the murals.
