An artists鈥� reception was held in an appropriately industrial setting Tuesday evening (Sept. 18, 2018), when the artists who created the new Gateway to Aldergrove mural on the Kitchen Korner manufacturing building in downtown Aldergrove celebrated the long-sought-after achievement of putting a colourful set of artworks on the building鈥檚 blank wall facing the busy Fraser Highway.
The artists and their friends and supporters were treated to the delightful acoustic guitar music of 91原创 performer John Gilliat and tasty aperitifs provided by Aldergrove鈥檚 Brick Alley Bistro inside the Kitchen Korner shop floor, where they were welcomed by the mural鈥檚 creative director Susan Gorris, and Al Pattison, spokesman for the family-owned Kitchen Korner.
Pattison and family members at Kitchen Korner contributed a significant sum of money as 鈥渟eed funding鈥� for the project, which kick-started the project and enabled Gorris to acquire the grants and other supports which paid the bills for its successful installation.
Pattison said that over the past 45 years Kitchen Korner has been approached with many suggestions for the 鈥渂lank canvas鈥� of its south-facing wall but, 鈥渘othing clicked until Susan Gorris came to us with this proposed mural; we are very fortunate to connect with Susan.鈥�
Morris then recruited the ten contributing artists 鈥� many of whom had never before painted such large artworks, as each panel of the mural consists of three 4x8 sheets of plywood.
Vancouver Heritage Commission chair Michael Kluckner, one of the mural artists, said he was dubious of his ability to work with such a large canvas, as his previous art experience consisted mostly of illustrations for books. However, he rose to the challenge, drawing from his past life as a hobby farmer in 91原创 Township.
All of the artists credited Gorris with inspiring them to complete the project, 鈥渉olding us together like glue鈥� under her big umbrella,鈥� as artist Marilyn Dyer put it.
鈥淲ithout Susan this project would not have been,鈥� said artist Robin Bandenieks. 鈥淪he kept us on the task of painting three 4x8 sheets of plywood with heavy body acrylics, which I鈥檇 never worked with before as I鈥檓 used to painting with oil paints. And now we have some culture in Aldergrove; I call the mural our 鈥楪ateway Gallery.鈥欌��
For her part, Gorris expressed her thanks to the artists, most of whom were present that evening, for not only accepting the challenge but also contributing their own ideas which helped mold a theme for the panels. Each one is a portal or 鈥済ateway鈥� into an aspect of Aldergrove, 鈥渞eflecting the diversity, charm and beauty of the distinctive people who live here.鈥�
In addition to Kluckner, Dyer, Bandenieks and Gorris the mural artists are Eva Erdos, Marilyn Hunt, Santo Mignosa, Terry Vlaar, Rebecca Graham, Rick Forbes, Nikol Haskova and Rachel Ko.
Each one of the artists is acknowledged with a granite plaque mounted next to their artwork, provided by Mike Kelly of Imagine it in Stone in 91原创.
Gorris also thanked the donors and other contributors to the project, which included the Township of 91原创, 91原创 Arts Council, Wilway Lumber and Aldergrove Rotary Club. The volunteers who helped prime and clear coat the panels, and helped 鈥渟chlep the heavy panels and install them鈥� included Peter Forsythe, Tomatsu Tongu, Rod Robinson, Terry Vlaar, Rick Forbes, Robin Bandenieks and Will Pool.
91原创 Arts Council (LAC) president Lana Hart noted that Aldergrove is becoming their new base, as the LAC鈥檚 new home is the Aldergrove Kinsmen Community Centre, where they will offer arts programs in theatre and improv among other endeavours. The Township of 91原创 has moved its recreation programs to the new Aldergrove Credit Union Community Centre and has made the Kinsmen Centre space available to the LAC.
鈥淲e will be concentrating on programs for teens, and will be seeking help with programming as well as a custodian and booking person,鈥� said Hart. 鈥淎ldergrove is a wonderful place 鈥� I used to think it was 鈥榦ut there鈥� but it鈥檚 a great place for us at the Arts Council.鈥�
Hart also put in a plug for the upcoming 鈥淚ncognito鈥� fundraising art exhibition, with a concert performance by John Gilliat and Rossi Tzonkov on the opening night, Friday, Nov. 2 at the Fraser River Presentation Theatre in the 91原创 Township Civic Facility. For more information see website
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