Arts programming through the Festival ages
Much like the Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival’s jazz programming, the arts programming has evolved and adapted as the Festival has grown. We're thrilled to continue celebrating the visual arts as a key component to bringing the community together.
From 2018 until now, the Festival has grown and adapted year after year and that has meant big things for the arts part of our jazz and arts festival. Keep reading to find out where we’ve come from, the many collaborations we’ve made and the plethora of artists we’ve had the pleasure of working with.
You can also find out what’s happening at the 2023 festival in our latest blog post
2018: Introducing the very first Festival
The idea to incorporate an arts component to the Festival was suggested by Elaine Brewer-White, a friend of Executive Director Karen Zukas and Artistic Director Dave Quinn (and co-founders of the Festival). Elaine is a well-known and very talented ceramics artist from Fort Langley, and Dave and Karen excitedly took her suggestion to heart. Elaine went on to contribute immensely to the 2018 arts programming.
Art Walk
Elaine organized the Festival's first-ever Art Walk, showcasing local artists' work.
Jazz Town Exhibition & Clay Workshop
Elaine also hosted an exhibit area in front of the Fort Langley Community Hall, where she taught Festival-goers how to use clay to make artistic pieces. Creations were compiled to create a fun community exhibit called "Jazz Town."
2019: Incorporating workshops and demonstrations
Art Workshops & Demonstrations
Festival-goers participated in free workshops and activities, including Painting to Music (led by Fraser Valley artist Felicity Holmes), Make your Own Musical Instrument (Langley Centennial Museum), and Indigenous art-infused Button Making. The Fort Langley Arts Group (FLAG) hosted a live painting demonstration, and Indigenous artist Corey Moras presented Festival-goers with a demonstration on Indigenous drum making.
Art Exhibit - Presented by The Langley Arts Council
An "All that Jazz" themed art exhibit was presented by the Langley Arts Council members in the Fort Langley Community Hall ballroom.
Motown Dance & Silent Auction
Local art was featured and sold at the Saturday night Motown dance through a silent auction to raise money for the Festival.
2020: Creating an incredible virtual experience
Virtual Art Walk
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic made hosting an in-person Festival impossible. Still, organizers came through with flying colours to create a Virtual Art Walk that showcased the fantastic work of 24 local artists. The Virtual Art Walk included interviews with the participating artists, which made the event intimate and very engaging.
2021: Pivoting to a hybrid in-person and virtual event
Virtual Art Walk
The Virtual Art Walk expanded to include 60 accomplished artists!
Art Exhibit - Chief Sepass Theatre
Following capacity limitations prompted by the COVID-19 pandemic, an in-person art exhibit was featured at in-person concerts.
Art as a Backdrop - Commissioned Art by Hank Lionhart
A stunning painting by artists and blues musician, Hank Lionhart, was commissioned by Festival organizers and enlarged to be used as the backdrop for the in-person concerts.
2022: Ushering in the Art Zone and so much more
The Art Zone - Presented by ConWest and Vicini Homes
With the COVID-19 pandemic finally in the rearview mirror, we were thrilled to introduce an entire venue area dedicated to art. The Art Zone not only acted as the showcase area but hosted demonstrations, activities, workshops, and the very popular Art Market!
Art Workshops
Festival-goers could learn various painting techniques from professional artists at the many free workshops held on Sunday. These included a Watercolour Workshop by Elana Markelova, an Acrylic Painting Workshop by Eric Hotz, and a Block Printing & Carve Your Own Stamp Workshop by Molly Gray.
Opus Outdoor Painting Challenge - Presented by Opus Art & Supplies
This very fun challenge invited artists of all ages and abilities to try something new, whether painting outdoors for the first time or using a new paint medium. Participants could choose to have their work displayed at the Art Zone on Saturday, and the challenge winners won some awesome prizes!
The Art Market
A vibrant section of art from professional artists was featured at the Art Zone, and Festival-goers had the opportunity to peruse or purchase artwork that moved them.
Art Exhibit at Chief Sepass Theatre
Talented local artists, including Richard Brodeur, Lori McPhee and Lianna Klassen had their masterpieces displayed in the foyer of the theatre for festival goers to enjoy before shows.
Art in the Garden - Presented by FLAG
Festival-goers were given the opportunity to view original works of art while interacting with artists. They learned about artist techniques and watched while talented artists created beautiful paintings, sculptures and drawings.
Kwantlen & Community Art Mural: Presented by the Kwantlen First Nations and the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival
The public participated in a collaborative "paint-by-number" art mural presented by the Festival and the Kwantlen First Nations. Designed by Kwantlen brother and sister Noah and Elinor Atkins, the mural now stands at Foundry Langley and commemorates Canada's emergence from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kwantlen Art & Cultural Exhibition
Presented by the Kwantlen Polytechnic University and the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the exhibition featured stunning Indigenous art, cultural exhibits, demonstrations and more.
Art as a Backdrop - Art by Susan J. Falk
Susan J. Falk's incredible piece of art was selected to be featured in all of the Festival's marketing materials and was used as a backdrop in various venue areas. Susan was one of the artists showcased at the Chief Sepass Theatre exhibit in 2020!
Taking great pride in the arts side of our festival
The Odlum Brown Fort Langley Jazz and Arts festival takes great pride in promoting local art and uplifting local artists. We encourage attendees to embrace their artistic side by engaging in complimentary art workshops, demonstrations and activities like the ones above, and to experience the exhilaration that goes along with bringing a creative vision to life.