A group of Squamish artists is ready to take on the big city, said a local organizer who is starting up a show to display their work in Vancouver.
Stewart Hughes, who’s putting together an art show called Versatile, said his team’s work is as good as anything he has seen in bigger metropolitan art scenes.
“I’m psyched to take the city on,” said Hughes, who has lived in Squamish for 11 years. “I’m confident about the work we have. I’m willing to stand by it.”
For the show, Hughes, who is from Wales, picked a group of artists he felt wasn’t getting enough attention.
He also wanted to defy the conventional and showcase work that doesn’t fall into what he considers typical Squamish art. Artists in this community tend to create nature-inspired crafts or paintings, he said, adding that too much landscape or wildlife portraits can make the town’s art a little predictable.
“The kind of work I’m looking to represent is underrepresented,” said Hughes.
That’s not to say he will exclude items with nature themes in his show, but he said his goal is to feature artists who are either doing something different or those who have fresh approaches to art often found in Squamish.
He hopes the event will attract both serious and casual buyers – prices range from $8 to $2,000.
For example, his own work, which will be showcased at the event, features gritty-looking urban stencil art depicting Vancouver alleyways. His paintings, published under his artist name MaryMary, have been influenced by Banksy, a world-renowned street artist.
Squamish jeweller Caroline Miller will also be part of the roster, and will be showing her latest collection of cuffs, bracelets and rings made from precious metals and cut gems such as quartz.
Previously, Miller received attention for her jewelry series Endangered Species, wherein bronze and silver sculptures of miniature animal head wall-mounts were strung together with tiny weapons like guns.
Miller, who has been a professional jeweller for eight years, said the show is a great opportunity for Squamish artists who haven’t had the chance to display their art to a bigger audience.
“There are so many Squamish artists who are so talented, who don’t showcase their work in many places,” said Miller. “Squamish is getting there... but it’s still limited for clientele and venues to showcase work.”
Also in the show is Lan Yao, whose paintings blend both the abstract and natural, layering sharp angles, colours and textures over landscapes and animals.
“I’m just going to try and take it one day at a time,” said Yao, who’s nervous but excited about showing her work in Vancouver for the first time.
Versatile is happening from Nov. 25 to 27 and again from Dec. 2 to 4 at Little Mountain Shop on 4386 Main St. from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. An opening reception will take place on Nov. 25 from 7 to 10 p.m.
