The Reach Gallery Museum (32388 Veterans Way) holds a painting workshop with artist Cody Lecoy on Saturday, Nov. 4 from 1 to 4 p.m.
Lecoy, who is of Sylix and Lekwungen ancestry, will introduce basic elements of painting composition while encouraging participants to portray aspects of their interior lives.
The 20th century surrealist artists believed in the importance of dreams, the subconscious, and chance. Lecoy shares this interest, and his paintings incorporate the vivid, illusory qualities of surrealism with Northwest Coast formline and Coast Salish design.
Drawing from these concepts, Lecoy says he’ll encourage participants “to bring forth representations of their identity, their journey, their memories and other aspects of the self.”
In Cognitive Dissonance, Lecoy’s current exhibition at The Reach, the artist combines his interest in the inner-self with broader social and environmental issues, particularly the complex status of Indigenous territory and ongoing industrial threats to the environment.
Lecoy’s characteristic blend of engaging imagery and consequential subject matter recall the works of his mentors, who include high-profile First Nations painters Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun and Shawn Hunt.
The introductory painting workshop is a rare opportunity for the public to work side by side with an exhibiting artist in a creative exercise.
The program is open to ages 12 and up. Cost is $20, including supplies, and pre-registration is required. This can be done online at thereach.ca or by calling 604-864-8087 (dial 0).