Taking a break from the hustle and bustle of the holiday season is always a good idea. But finding a great place to decelerate, enjoy a little tranquility and think about something unrelated to candy canes and Christmas trees isn’t always easy. That’s where Coquitlam’s much-loved Art Gallery at Evergreen (AGE) comes in.

 

A short stroll from Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain Station, the admission-free AGE has anchored the city’s popular Evergreen Cultural Centre for almost three decades. And with a dynamic roster of intriguing contemporary art exhibitions unfolding here throughout the year, there’s always something engaging and exciting on display––including an upcoming must-see show.

 

“Our gallery is a beautiful place to slow down and reflect,” says Assistant Curator Anna Luth. “But it’s also an open and accessible space to connect with ideas you might not have fully encountered before.” That’s certainly the case with the AGE’s new 2024 winter exhibition, which addresses some big issues in a richly creative way.

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Upcoming show

 

Running from November 30 to February 9, Seep/Swell showcases the striking interdisciplinary work of Vancouver artist Ruth Beer. Using dramatic copper thread weavings, eye-catching tapestries and unusual woven photographs, Beer explores the impacts of human activity on our age-old landscapes, triggering conversations about climate crisis and where our resources come from.

 

Unusually, adds Luth, those weighty conversations are being shared with another local art space in a uniquely collaborative way. “We are co-presenting Seep/Swell with Burnaby Art Gallery––we are Seep and they are Swell––and we’re encouraging visitors to make their way to both locations during the holidays.”

 

The galleries are working very closely to help facilitate that approach. During the show’s admission-free opening event on November 30, there will be a 2:00pm exhibition tour hosted by Beer at the AGE. Visitors can then hop in their cars or take a gratis Art Bus (reserve ahead here) to Burnaby Art Gallery where the show’s reception party, with light refreshments, will take place.

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Hot chocolate and more

 

The highly inviting opening isn’t the only indication of the AGE’s commitment to encouraging new visitors to drop by. During the Seep/Swell run, for example, there will be additional tours at the gallery plus a special weaving workshop hosted by Beer herself––you can browse Evergreen’s online calendar for further information on these and other intriguing events, classes and more.

 

Those of a sweet-tooth disposition should certainly visit on December 6, 13 or 20 (between 5:00pm and 6:00pm). That’s when the gallery is hosting its annual, no-cost Hot Chocolate Nights––a chance to peruse the exhibits, sip a warming beverage and perhaps stroll across to Lights at Lafarge in the adjoining Town Centre Park. It’s B.C.’s biggest admission-free festive lights display and a hugely popular holiday event for locals and visitors.

 

Alternatively, combine your visit to the area with a show at Evergreen’s state-of-the-art Studio Theatre, where a wide array of Christmastime performances is on the Yuletide playbill during the 2024 season––from comedy nights to ballet performances to toe-tapping music concerts and more.

 

Clearly, there are lots of reasons to visit this hot spot cultural hub during the winter holidays. But saving time to encounter Evergreen’s ever-welcoming gallery is especially recommended, says Luth. “We want to make it as easy as possible for people to slow down, see something different and think about other ideas––and that’s always a good thing to do at this time of year.”

 

If you go:

 

The Art Gallery at Evergreen (AGE) is situated in Evergreen Cultural Centre, which is located at 1205 Pinetree Way, Coquitlam. The Centre is just 150 steps from Lafarge Lake-Douglas SkyTrain Station or a swift 40-minute drive from Vancouver. For additional information on the AGE, visit its official website (2024 link disabled).