Updates from Britannia Society

The Britannia Art Gallery is currently going to go on a “pause” starting in June until September 2025, under recommendations from the Art & Culture Committee and the Board of Management at Britannia, as we need some time to reflect on some internal missteps, and harm caused.  Unfortunately, this means rescheduling the Summer 2025 shows until such time as we can move ahead in a good way with community artists, and we can be clear about our objectives and what we should host in public space.
 
We will be working with a consulting agency over the next few months to gain a better understanding of curating with community in a public setting, and what our limitations and capacity to support looks like. We understand that artists are a voice in our community, and we want to work to encourage a positive experience, and that care is taken with each artist that we work with to develop the relationships that we hope to build.

Current Exhibition

May 2025 - Roots, Culture, Rhythm and Colors
The opening reception for May Exhibit will happen on Wednesday May 7th from 5:30PM - 7:30PM 

This art collection is a collaboration with the Latin American Youth Program at the Britannia Community Centre. Its purpose is to celebrate and showcase the vibrant essence of Latino culture, as seen through the eyes of young people navigating life in Canadian society.
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Through this collection, the youth explore themes such as identity, belonging, and the blending of traditions, reflecting how their cultural heritage intersects with their experiences in a multicultural environment. Each piece represents a personal story, perspective, or emotion, expressed through a variety of artistic techniques, including painting, photography, and mixed media.

This initiative not only highlights the creativity and talent of the participants but also serves as a bridge between cultures, encouraging dialogue and fostering a sense of community. It’s a testament to how art can be a powerful tool for self-expression and connection, transcending borders, and generations. 

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​APRIL 2025 - I Dream Library: Archiving Institutional Erasure, Collective Resistance, and Memories that Keep us Growing

April 2nd - 30th 2025 
Opening reception on wednesday April 2nd 5:30PM - 7:30PM 

Artist talk - April 23rd 5:30PM - 6:30PM 

A collection of works featuring Vancouver based artists, Aisha Kiani, Germain Ekra, Mathew Delorme-King and Rakim. I Dream Library: Archiving Institutional Erasure, Collective Resistance, and Memories that Keep us Growing is a story of complex representation, with themes of resistance, oppression, migration, community and collaboration. 

Reimagined archival materials alongside visual and mixed media works invite visitors to consider what it means to be learning, teaching, playing, dreaming, fighting erasure, and building community all in the same day. This exhibit is in conversation with current calls to action and the liberation of Indigenous people on Indigenous territories across the world.

​March 5-29th, 2025
​
Deirde Pinnock:
Woman of Colours
Threads of Resistance

Opening March 5th at 5:30pm-7:30pm

If you live in East Vancouver you are probably familiar with the work of Artist Deirdre Pinnock. She yarns bombs positive and uplifting messages such as “be kind” and “you are enough” into public fences around the city. Her most known work to the public are probably these big hearts that are hung into public fences all over parks and roads. Join us Wednesday March 5th 5:30PM - 7:30PM for the Opening reception of her solo Art Exhibit titled "Woman of colours, Threads of resistance" at Britannia Art gallery. If you miss the opening reception ~ her show will be up in the gallery until March 31st 2025. 

February 2025 
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​February 2025 - Britannia Art Gallery / Black History and Futures Month Group Art Exhibition ( Feb 5th - 28th ) 

Join us on Wednesday Feb 5th at 5:30 - 7:30PM for our Black History and Futures Month Art Exhibition Opening reception. 

This is a group show between Artists Tolu Ayoka , Karine Zamor and Black Out Collective.  Each Artist / Artist group will be showcasing something different. The Exhibit will be open February 5th and will be up until the 28th of February. 

The 3 Artists / Artist group will also be apart of an Artist talk in the gallery on Wednesday Feb 19th from 5:00-6:30PM. After the Artist talk we will continue the celebrations at the 55+ Centre, feel free to join us. 

Our location is 1661 Napier Street and the gallery in located inside the Vancouver Public Library Britannia space. We hope to see you all at our Black History and Futures Month celebration. 

Illustration for the poster by iris Houngbo

December 2024 - January 2025 
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Artist Talk 
Title: Voices of self-love, A Conversation about inclusivity and opportunities for Latin Americans living in British Columbia. 
Artists: Multiple artists 
Date: Wed. January  29  / Time: 6:00 – 7:30 pm ​
Voices of Self Love 
A group Art Exhibit by ​La Libélula 
December 4, 2024- January 31st, 2025
Opening Celebration: Wed. Dec 5th
5:30 - 7:30 pm ​






​​Kai Isadore-Smith
Dunuyis: Learning Community
November 6 - 30, 2024
Opening Celebration: Wed. October 9
6:00 - 7:30 pm 

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Past Exhibition 
Jocelyn Sanchez  
Without memory I dreamed of your spirit
October 3 - November 2, 2024
Opening Celebration: Wed. October 9
6:00 - 7:30 pm 
curated by Danais Yera Guerra

 Kwiis Hamilton​
i'éyel: to get better, to get well 
September 11 – 30, 2024
Opening Reception: Wed. September 11
6:00 pm - 7:30 pm
curated by Danais Yera Guerra

​Lydia Pourmand
​A Sweet Garden
August 6 - 31, 2024
Opening Reception: Wed. August 6
6:00 - 7:30 pm
curated by Iris Houngbo

​Solo Show: DANI YOUR DARLING
Opening Reception
Wednesday July 3rd 2024
​from 5:00-8:00pm

please join for an artist talk
July 27th at 1:00pm

A FIGMENT OF MY IDLE MIND
Curated by Jess Sung and Iris Houngbo

Show runs July 3rd - 31st 2024
1661 Napier Street, East Vancouver


Past Exhibition:
Solo Show: Nora Stakaya Pape
Opening Reception
Wednesday June 5th
​from 6:00-8:00pm

A show in celebration of Indigenous Resistance
Curated by Jess Sung and Iris Houngbo

Show runs June 5th-June 30th
1661 Napier Street, East Vancouver
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Welcome to Iris Houngbo, the successful candidate for the Britannia Art Gallery Curator position.
Iris established Unity Arts Collective as a platform and space for BIPOC and Trans/Queer artists to collaborate, which also includes Unity Radio. They have recently been involved with The Black Arts Centre (BLAC) and Idream Library showcasing their own artistic practices. Iris brings energy and passion to the arts, and looks forward to spreading joy and uplifting artists in our community. 

Girls Who Leap Empowerment Project
Opening Reception Wednesday May 8th from 3:00-5:00pm
Girls Who Leap believes that no child should ever be left behind and should have equal access and opportunity;
​regardless of race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age or social standing. 

GIRLS WHO LEAP:MISSION: To mentor and empower female-identified youth as leaders by nurturing life skills, building meaningful connections and purposefully impacting our community.
VISION: To promote positive social change on a local, provincial, national and global scale by fostering community engagement, mentorship and early intervention for youth.The pieces in this show are all made by the Youth from Britannia Secondary School with guidance from their mentors Mitra Tshan, Joleen Mitton and Yolanda. They wore the shawls in the 2023 Indigenous Fashion Week at Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The moccasins were a project that took a year to complete with the youth.  The doll with shawl was created by Joleen Mitton. Cedar roses and bracelets made by Youth.

Opening Reception April 3rd at 6:00pm
Join us for an exclusive exhibition visit with the artists and curator Miret Rodriguez 
​on Wednesday, April 3, from 5:00 to 6:00 pm.
Presented at Britannia Art Gallery from April 3 to April 27, 2024, “Memories in Hues: A Chromatic Journey through the Global South” is a captivating show that invites visitors to delve into the intricate interplay of memory, belonging, and identity as depicted by three female Latin American artists. Angie Quintanilla Coates, Katy Biele, and Valerie Strom weave a narrative of cultural resonance through their use of colour, textiles, and portraiture. This is a unique opportunity to experience artistry that transcends boundaries and celebrates the essence of cultural heritage.
Date: Wednesday, April 3, 2024
Time: 5:00 – 6:00 pm

March 2024

Christina Jackson
Solo Show: INFLUX 
March 6th - 31st, 2024

Opening Reception March 6th
From 6:00-7:30pm


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Past Exhibitions:

 
SHAY CARR
SOLO SHOW
February 7 - 29th, 2024
extended to March 3rd, 2024

Opening Reception February 7th
from 6:00 - 7:30pm

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Carving Our Way
Group Show by
​Britannia`s Weaving Community Together Carvers
December 6, 2023 - January 31, 2024 

Opening Exhibition: December 6th, 2024
6:30 - 8:00 pm
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​Past Exhibits:


Community Minded
Group Show by
Frog Hollow "Make It" Program
November 1-30, 2023
Opening Exhibition: November 1
6:30pm - 8:00pm






​
I’ll Be Anything You Need by Katalina Guerrero
and
Light of Life by Victoria Mitchell
October 4 – 28, 2023 
Opening Exhibition: October 4
6:30 - 8:00 pm 

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Faces by Carina Maffett
and
 Endangered and overlooked: An Artist’s Calling for Conservation by Angela Bueckert 
September 7 – 28, 2023
Opening Exhibition: September 7 
6:30 - 8:30 pm

HEPH 
Shawn Hefele 
August 2 - 30, 2023
Opening Reception: August 2 | 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Roll with us
An Exhibition by Nations Skate Youth
July 5 - 28, 2023
​Opening Reception: July 19 | 6:30 - 8:30 pm

Celebrating Elders and Seniors
An Exhibition by Britannia 55+ Centre
​June 7 - 28, 2023
Opening Reception: June 7 | 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Playing with Numbers
An Exhibition by Division 2, Gr. 5/6, Britannia Elementary School
May 3 - June 2, 2023
​Opening Reception: May 3 | 3:30 pm 

Artists Statement 
Playing with Numbers is an exhibition by Division 2, Grades 5 & 6 students from the Britannia Elementary School opening on Wednesday, May 3rd at 3:30 pm. 
With the guidance of their teacher Mr. Spino, twenty-five young artists developed a bodywork inspired by the American Artist Jasper John, whose abstract expressionism and pop art featured text and numbers. Starting from a quote from Jasper John, “All familiar things can open into strange worlds,” the class played with colors and shapes to communicate to the viewer something important to ourselves. 

 Stars Shimmering in the Dark
Alternatives Creations Studio
April 5 - 29, 2023
Opening Reception: April 5 | 6:30 - 8:00 pm 

Yo Soy yo y yo estoy aquí (I am me and I am here)
Latin American Youth Program, Britannia Community Centre
March 8 - 31, 2023
Opening Reception: March 8 | 6:30 - 8:00 pm

Artists Statement
Yo soy yo y yo estoy aquí (I am here and I am me) is an exhibit that showcases the artwork of 12 Latin American teenagers. It explores the feelings related to dual identity, belonging and migration.  It began with the question “What does it feel like to be Latin American in Vancouver today?”
Under the guidance of Art Educator Carolina Aguirre, the young artists gathered for five sessions, to explore these topics through a series of creative writing and abstract painting workshops. Each session was designed with a specific objective in mind: Connecting an emotion to their migration story, representing that emotion through abstract painting, exploring the topic of belonging through affirmations, as well as expressing their values through photography and creative writing.
The journey of migration is a universal one but also very personal. In this exhibit you will discover 12 stories of belonging, friendship, community and courage.

The Latin American Youth Program (LAYP) offers cultural and recreational activities for Latinx youth ages 13-18yrs. These activities range from organized recreational programs to advocacy and referral services. For more information and to register, please contact
the Latin American Youth Worker at 604.718.5829.

El Programa de Jóvenes Latinoamericanos ofrece actividades culturales y recreativas para jóvenes de 13 a 18 años. Estas actividades incluyen programas recreativos, servicios de abogacía y referencia. Para obtener más información, comuníquese con la trabajadora juvenil latinoamericana al 604.718.5829.

Café_Volumen 1
Yaimel López Zaldívar
February 1 - 26, 2023

In partnership with the Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre (VLACC) we're pleased to present the solo exhibition of Cuban artist Yaimel López Zaldívar Café_Volumen 1 from February 1st to 26th at the BAG.

About the exhibition
The inspiration for this collection comes from an old photo album that portrays the life of some indigenous communities in Latin America. It is a document that came to López hands unexpectedly, and he was immediately attracted. The photos reflect the point of view of a nun who worked as a nurse for those marginalized communities.
The images were taken during the 40s, after the Second World War. With this artist’s book, López does not intend to appropriate the traditions of those communities but rather to revitalize those memories respectfully and coherently, firstly with the communities to which he owes the inspiration for this book and secondly with his artistic practice.

Opening Reception:
Wednesday, February 1st, 2023
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm
Britannia Art Gallery (the gallery is located inside the library)

Found in Nature
Avenue for the Arts 
January 4 - 28, 2023  

We never know what we will find in nature, whether from the world around us , or in our rich
internal lives. We are as much a part of this amazing adventure as the creatures of the rain
forest. As we become aware of our place in the natural world, we become invested in its
continuance and sustainability. In this project, Avenue for the Arts explores what is Found in
Nature.

Opening Reception:
Wednesday, January 4, 2023 
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm 
Britannia Art Gallery (the gallery is located inside the library) 
​1661 Napier St Van BC V5L 4X4 ​
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Past Exhibition 
​Boulder Fantasy ​& Colour and Light 
Nadia Baker and Sonia Mocnik 
December 7 - 29, 2022 

Opening Reception:
Wednesday, December 7, 2022 
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm 
Britannia Art Gallery (the gallery is located inside the library) 
​1661 Napier St Van BC V5L 4X4 
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Instru Mental 
​Valerie and Arnt Arntzen
November 2 - December 2, 2022 

Exhibition Opening Reception:
Wednesday November 2, 2022
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm 
Artist Talk
​Wednesday, November 30, 2022
6:30 pm - 8:00 pm 
Britannia Art Gallery (the gallery is located inside the library) 
​1661 Napier St Van BC V5L 4X4 

Furniture maker Arnt Arntzen and assemblage artist Valerie Arntzen have collaborated on a new body of work titled "Instru Mental". 
Working with non-functioning musical instruments they blend their creative and technical backgrounds to deconstruct and reconstruct the instruments into new and unexpected combinations.