‘Playhouse’ exhibition at the Gordon Smith Gallery

Playhouse features artworks from over 20 Canadian artists and presents the Gordon Smith Gallery as a place to experience stories, meet characters, and transform the spaces we inhabit in order to unveil unseen narratives. The exhibition sets the stage for us to consider ways in which the physical, social, cultural, and imagined qualities of a place are intertwined. Playhouse is inspired by comics, broadly interpreted as characters acting in frames, asserting control over their own narratives. Comics are accessible forms of sequential storytelling where the reader builds a relationship with characters over time. Throughout the exhibition we encounter sculptures, animation, paintings, and textiles containing active forms and figures performing within their panels and waiting to be interpreted by viewers of all ages. The works of contemporary Canadian artists Whess Harman, Hannah Jickling and Reed H. Reed, Guná Jenson, and Cindy Mochizuki are shown alongside works from the Artists for Kids’ Permanent Collection. The perspectives of elementary and secondary students across the Lower Mainland are featured through textile artworks and zines. Artists for Kids acknowledges the support of the Canada Council for the Arts. The exhibition is curated by Annie Canto and Amelia Epp and takes place September 20, 2024 – February 27, 2025. Featuring artists Anne Meredith Barry, Karin Bubaš, Annie Canto, Victor Cicansky, Leonhard Epp, Gathie Falk, Geoffrey Farmer, Whess Harman, Guná Jensen, Hannah Jickling, Sandeep Johal, Helen Kalvak, Sara Khan, Roz Marshall, Cindy Mochizuki, Parvin Peivandi, Setsuko Piroche, Jane Ash Poitras, Reed H. Reed, Jack Shadbolt, Joan Smith, Sylvia Tait, Tukuki, Vancouver School Collective and Etienne Zack. Opening Reception: Friday, September 20, 6-8pm | RSVP Light refreshments will be served, including handcrafted cider provided by Bowen Cider House. Curator’s Tour: Thursday, September 26, 3:30pm | RSVP