North Vancouver is home to one of British Columbia's most vibrant local arts scenes. Throughout Vancouver's North Shore, explore community art galleries, colourful First Nations art, public art, and other cultural showcases year-round.
The North Vancouver Community Arts Council celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2009, and it operates the CityScape Community Art Space (335 Lonsdale Ave). This contemporary gallery offers rotating exhibitions of sculpture, painting, photography, and other disciplines by local artists. The gallery is open Tuesday to Saturday and admission is free.
The West Vancouver Community Arts Council is behind the Silk Purse Arts Centre (1570 Argyle Ave), a simple waterfront gallery near Ambleside Park. Check out exhibits ranging from nature-focused watercolours by Lorenzo Leung or charcoal drawings by Fae Lukacs, and admire the window views of Burrard Inlet and passing cruise ships.
The Silk Purse Arts Centre hosted about 200 intimate concerts in 2008, including jazz, blues, and classical performers such as Jim Byrnes and Bramwell Tovey. The gift shop sells prints, pottery and CDs by local artists.
Seymour Art Gallery
In laidback Deep Cove, don't miss the 1985-established Seymour Art Gallery (4360 Gallant Ave), whose diverse roster includes innovative art programs for children (like art sales geared to those aged 16 and under) and displays of local and international photos, pottery, and landscapes. Pick up handcrafted jewelry and customized greeting cards in the gift shop.
First Nations Art
North Vancouver takes pride in its First Nations heritage as the ancestral home of both the Squamish Nation and the Tseil-Watuth Nation.
Galleries that specialize in aboriginal artwork include Khot La Cha Art Gallery (270 Whonoak St), featuring Squamish-made totem poles, carvings, and moccasins, and Spirit Gallery (6408 Bay St), a Horseshoe Bay institution selling drums, cedar hats, argillite jewelry, and other items made by artists from the Pacific Northwest and across Canada.
More Arts on the North Shore
The North Shore's arts scene goes well beyond galleries.
Local pottery, jewelry, and other crafts are sold alongside fresh farm produce at North Vancouver's colourful farmers markets, including the Lonsdale Quay Farmers Market (Saturdays, May to October) and the Ambleside Farmers Market (Sundays, June to October).
Harmony Arts Festival
For more than a week at the start of August, the Harmony Arts Festival dishes up live worldbeat, folk, and blues performances on the West Vancouver waterfront, plus special art exhibits at local community centres and a bustling crafts fair.
Summer in the City
Relax at free outdoor concerts during the annual Summer in the City concert series in Civic Plaza, Lynn Valley, Edgemont, and Deep Cove. Locals love to debate which venue is best for listening to jazz, swing, or Caribbean melodies. Year-round, North Vancouver offers an exciting theatre scene at venues like Centennial Theatre (2300 Lonsdale Ave) and Capilano University Performing Arts Theatre (2055 Purcell Way), including symphony, pop, and dance performances.
For more insight on North Vancouver's artists and art galleries, pick up a copy of the North Shore Visitors' Guide, or contact the Visitor Centre (#102-124 West 1st St).
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