During the pandemic, Dutch resident Carla Vermaat got a call from her daughter in Metro Vancouver.
Her daughter, who had immigrated to Canada a few years earlier, was expecting again and needed help when the second child was born.
Vermaat packed her bags and made Port Moody her home, signing up a short time later to be part of the Port Moody Art Association (PMAA).
A writer by trade, Vermaat had dabbled with paints in her spare time, using acrylics, oils and water paints, and pen and ink, to craft images.
In Holland, she found the landscapes flat for her creative scenes but, in Canada, she was overwhelmed as she explored new territory and used photos to capture the mountains, forests and rivers.
“I had to adjust to the green,” she told the Tri-City News.
On Nov. 4 and 5, Vermaat will show and sell about 25 pieces in PMAA’s 54th annual display — a gathering that sees hundreds of original works by its members and draws hundreds of visitors over the weekend.
Vermaat said each exhibitor will have a small space to highlight their paintings and cards in the Port Moody Recreation Complex (300 Ioco Rd.) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
And, like last year, all art bought on site can be taken home at the time of sale, said PMAA spokesperson Lanni Sulje.
Vermaat encouraged the public to tour the gallery and talk with PMAA members next weekend.
“It’s a great way to purchase genuine work that’s affordable. It’s also good to support local artists.”
