Harmony from “Muses” – Christy Lee Rogers
As part of this year’s Harmony Arts Festival, West Vancouver will host Art Beat; a showcase of more than 50 incredible artists displayed in 45+ businesses across Ambleside Beach and Dundarave Village, including the first ever Canadian showcase of acclaimed Hawaiian born artist, Christy Lee Rogers.
Recognized as Photographer of the Year at this year’s Sony World Photo Awards, Christy Lee Rogers’ stunning work had earned a reputation for breaking the conventions of modern photography. Through a fragile process of experimentation, she builds elaborate scenes of warm colours that are more akin to Baroque painting masters like Caravaggio than any of her contemporary peers. To be clear, these are not paintings, rather they are photographs of real people submerged under water, often lit by a single source of light.
Apparition from “Muses” – Christy Lee Rogers
A Dream Dreamed in the Presence of Reason from “Muses” – Christy Lee Rogers
The theme of water is certainly fitting, West Vancouver’s Harmony Arts festival draws crowds from all over the Lower Mainland to celebrate a harmonious balance of visual, culinary and performing arts on the spectacular West Vancouver waterfront. The free ten-day festival, which takes place in tandem with Art Beat, attracts over 140,000 attendees every year.
Best of all, Art Beat will take art outside of traditional gallery spaces and instead display them inside local shops and retailers, encouraging visitors to experience everything Ambleside Beach and Dundarave Village have to offer. Much of the work featured is by local artists. Christy Lee Rogers’ work will be displayed at Swiss Sports Haus on 15th St., courtesy of West Vancouverite Martin Kemble’s ART LABOR Gallery in Shanghai China.
That said, don’t miss the newly opened Benjamin Lumb Gallery in Ambleside Beach, which joins the established Yeats Gallery and Buckland Southerst Gallery in Dundarave Village in profiling local art.
Photo: Harmony Arts Festival Facebook
Known for their creative community and artisanal spirit, Ambleside Beach and Dundarave Village are connected by a lively main street that’s punctuated by local shops, restaurants, cafes, art galleries and the Centennial Seawalk, all of which are just steps away from the shore.
From organic juices and smoothies at Heirloom Vegetarian to stunning South American-Japanese fusion at Ancora Restaurant there are many many reasons to visit West Vancouver this summer. Art Beat will also welcome street celebrations to Marine Drive, featuring music, sidewalk sales and artist demonstrations on August 3, 2019.
To learn more about Art Beat and the music, food and art taking place at this year’s Harmony Arts Festival, visit harmonyarts.ca
