The City of Port Coquitlam is set to unveil a series of new art exhibitions this June, showcasing the diverse talents of local and regional artists across Leigh Square and at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre (PCCC).
The public is invited to celebrate these new exhibitions and enjoy live music by Tilden Webb at a free opening reception on Thursday, June 26, 2025, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the Michael Wright Art Gallery, located in the Gathering Place (#200-2253 Leigh Square).
Featured exhibitions include:
- GAIA Through New Eyes – Paintings and mixed media works by Patricia Sandberg, Monica Gewurz, and Diane Roy exploring the beauty, fragility, and power of the natural world. Presented in the Michael Wright Art Gallery.
- Reclaimed Canvases: Transformative Eco-Expression – Mixed media works on found and repurposed materials by Christopher Aitken, reflecting personal healing and environmental sustainability. Presented in the Outlet Gallery.
- Postcards from Port Coquitlam – Colourful, imaginative artworks inspired by literature, music, and nature by local artist Michelle Dermott. Presented in the City Hall Gallery.
Exhibition Highlights
Michael Wright Art Gallery – GAIA Through New Eyes
The Michael Wright Art Gallery in the Gathering Place presents GAIA Through New Eyes by Patricia Sandberg, Monica Gewurz, and Diane Roy. This thought-provoking exhibition is inspired by nature and highlights the need to preserve and protect the natural world. Through their unique artistic practices, Sandberg, Gewurz, and Roy explore the calm and wild energy of nature—its strength, fragility, and extraordinary beauty. Their shared environmental passion and commitment to sustainable practices provide the foundation and common theme in this powerful exhibit.
- Artist Talk with P. Sandberg, M. Gewurz, and D. Roy
- Saturday, July 5 | 1:30 – 3:00 p.m. | Free | Ages 18+
- Join artists Patricia Sandberg, Monica Gewurz, and Diane Roy as they discuss their creative processes, their efforts to minimize environmental impact in their work, and their environmental and philanthropic contributions. Register online at portcoquitlam.ca/register using program code #10923.
- Learn more about the artists: patriciasandbergart.com, monicagewurz.com, fibreart.ca
Outlet Gallery – Reclaimed Canvases: Transformative Eco-Expression
The Outlet Gallery presents Reclaimed Canvases: Transformative Eco-Expression by Christopher Aitken. Aitken, an emerging Vancouver artist, presents work born from personal transformation. After a cancer diagnosis, painting became a healing process for him. Now in remission, Aitken explores the language of colour, shape, and space through unconventional materials like old car manuals and discarded playing cards. His work is both a narrative of recovery and a testament to sustainable creativity.
- Discover more of Christopher Aitken's work: christopheraitkenart.com.
City Hall Gallery – Postcards from Port Coquitlam
The City Hall Gallery presents Postcards from Port Coquitlam by Michelle Dermott. Local artist Michelle Dermott offers a vivid visual journey through emotional and imaginative landscapes. Her work—at times realistic, at other times fantastical—is inspired by literature, nature, and music. As a member of the Federation of Canadian Artists, Michelle continues to shape a unique artistic voice rooted in storytelling and bold aesthetics.
- Follow Michelle Dermott on Instagram: instagram.com/rubyandsmoochdesigns.
Port Coquitlam Community Centre Gallery - Balloons and Bubbles of Hope
The Port Coquitlam Community Centre presents Balloons and Bubbles of Hope by Anna Polkovnichenko. Anna Polkovnichenko, a fine arts student at Kwantlen Polytechnic University, uses monotype printmaking to explore mental health and emotional resilience. Working primarily in abstract shapes and vibrant colour, her art is informed by personal experiences and a desire to inspire hope. Anna has exhibited with the Langley Arts Council, the Arts Council of Surrey, and various student groups.
- Explore Anna Polkovnichenko's art: annapolkovni.ca
Visit Our Galleries
The City Hall, Michael Wright, Outlet, and Port Coquitlam Community Centre Galleries feature a rotating program of exhibitions by talented local and regional artists. All galleries are free to the public.
For more information, including interviews with the artists and images of their artwork, visit portcoquitlam.ca/exhibitions.
For general inquiries about arts, culture, and heritage programs visit portcoquitlam.ca/arts or call 604-927-8440.
