Banners showcase art and music elements of upcoming jazz fest
Willoughby artist Lizete Dureault created the artwork that serves as the backdrop for all of this year’s promotional material for the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival. (Special to Langley Advance Times)
Excitement is building among musicians and artists alike, in anticipation of the 2023 Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival coming next month.
But for Willoughby artist Lizete Dureault, one of the most exciting moments has already happened. A piece of her artwork has been hung in the village streets for all to see.
“This means a lot to me…,” she said of being selected. “…just having my art showcased in my hometown and to the locals in Langley is a great feeling.”
Dureault, a full-time contemporary artist, had her artwork picked to promote this year’s festival, explained co-founder Karen Zukas.
READ MORE: Jazz fest announces 30 free shows on 4 stages
“Lizete’s original art piece was selected by the festival art committee for its creativity, bold colours and representation of both the music and art side of the festival,” Zukas explained.
Along with the street banners, the 54-year-old artist’s work will be featured in all festival-branded materials including posters, programs, the website, social media, and T-shirts.
“Just having my art showcased in my hometown and to the locals of Langley is a great feeling,” said Dureault, whose focus is painting still life art, primarily working with acrylics and mixed media.
She has participated as one of two dozen feature artists with the Langley-based West Fine Arts Society in recent years and the Vancouver International “For Love of Art” exhibits since 2019.
And, she held a solo show during last year’s jazz and arts festival.
“My inspiration for my submission was a visual study of instruments and sound experiences produced by my family members, friends, and performers I have met,” said Dureault.
She was striving with this particular painting to capture the individuality of each instrument, and “the feeling they give me.”
Along with her artwork being featured in festival materials, Dureault received a $750 honorarium for use of her artwork and will be featured in a solo exhibit at the festival’s opening jazz concert on July 20 at the Chief Sepass Theatre.
“I am excited to promote the early 20th century cubism movement, my driving influence in how I approach most of my current work,” explained the artist.
“My mission is to achieve unique stylized works, bold, imaginative statements of things I perceive and to capture the West Coast lifestyle.”
Dureault started, like most artists, as a young child. She would draw with her grandma at the kitchen table.
“It was a special bonding time for us and I loved being able to take my imagination and make it come to life.” She still loves that.
The jazz festival takes place July 20 through 23 in Fort Langley. The weekend will be filled with music, art, and culture activities, and feature more than 230 performers. Some of the events are ticketed, while others are free to the community on one of five stages scattered throughout Fort Langley.
Willoughby artist Lizete Dureault created the artwork that serves as the backdrop for all of this year’s promotional material for the Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival. (Special to Langley Advance Times)
A few weeks ahead of this year’s Fort Langley Jazz & Arts Festival, crews hung banners along the village streets. The banners feature the art of Willoughby artist Lizete Dureault. (Special to Langley Advance Times)