Richmond,B.C.
Pet-Takular Portraits Exhibition
By Mildred German
Richmond, BC – The Community Arts Council of Richmond (CACR) and in partnership with the Richmond SPCA, presents an online exhibition called “Pet-takular Portraits” from January 28, 2021 to March 28, 2021. https://richmondartscouncil.ca/art-programs/
Filipino-Canadian Maya Arradaza of New Westminster, BC is one of the artists who volunteered and donated their time to create an artwork for the exhibition. The 20-year old Emily Carr University student has found her passion in the Arts.
“After being burnt out during high school, art to me was the only thing I saw myself doing,” Arradaza shared in an interview, “It’s my release, obsession, and passion.”
The artworks in this exhibition featured the talents of many artists who donated their time to raise money for the Richmond SPCA and a non-profit art organization.
The SPCA is a not-for-profit organization serving sick, abused, neglected, and homeless animals. https://richmondspca.org
Meanwhile, the Community Arts Council of Richmond has been supporting arts, artists, and artisans in Richmond for over 40 year. https://richmondartscouncil.ca.
Donors sent in images of their beloved pets and artists were matched to paint the portraits. Participating artists donated their time and talent to make the fundraising and exhibition successful.
Amidst the present COVID-19 pandemic, isolation, and remote work, pets have been many people’s loyal companions. Not only pets can guard against intruders, studies by the American Heart Association show that pets also can help in keeping us healthy. https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/mental-health-and-wellbeing/can-your-pet-help-you-be-healthier
Filipino-Canadian artists Leah Alcuitas and Mildred Grace German also participated, along with other artists who also donated time and talent namely Chloe Kwok, Jon Izen, Carla Maskall, Amelle Nikitin, Jennifer Heine, Val Philbrook, Jess Trestain, Tatjana Jasmakovska, Samantha Dean, Michael Shirley, Iris Absolon, Ali Burns, Ezra Larson, Kira Burns, Hong-Sa Ye, Madiha Sikander, and Jas Johal.