Eileen Fong

Ronda Green

Gloria O'Neil

Jean Vanderley

Four accomplished artists take inspiration from the earth as a symbol, subject & medium to create dynamic works of art.

Eileen Fong is a painter deeply inspired by nature; her favourite subjects are trees, flowers & birds. Immigrating to Canada from Hong Kong in 1968, Fong pursued a career in medicine. Seeking to reconnect with her roots, she started studying Chinese brush painting in 1994, setting her upon an artistic journey over 30 years. Always exploring, she also works acrylic & encaustic. Fong has exhibited extensively & taught classes in West Vancouver throughout her career. She delights in using colours to capture light, infusing her paintings with a sense of peace & spontaneity, reflecting the harmony & wonder of nature.

Ronda Green is a Horsehoe Bay based ceramicist who is inspired by the earth itself. Green has been making art since 1973 & teaching pottery through the West Vancouver community centres for over 50 years, including at the Gleneagles Community Centre Pottery Studio. Experienced in a variety of techniques & processes, Green continues to be fascinated by wheel trowing, finding magic in the spontaneity & responsiveness of clay. Her art, & the clay used to create it, come from the earth - as she endeavours to emulate the textures, colours & forms of the natural world that inspire & delight her senses.

Gloria O'Neil is a landscape painter inspired by the beautiful locations she has seen across her world travels. Growing up in Guyana exposed her to vivid colours & wide-open spaces, seeding a natural inclination to paint landscapes. Based in West Vancouver, O'Neil's lively paintings attempt to capture the essence of the spaces she has visited. Her acrylic paintings have an Impressionist quality, focusing on design, space, light, value & emotional connection. Painting these landscapes allows her to escape into the worlds she creates, bringing viewers along for all the passion, joy & serenity.

Jean Vanderley is a painter & ceramicist who draws inspiration from the colours & textures of the natural world. Based in North Vancouver, Vanderley has been making art for over 30 years & teaching ceramics through the West Vancouver community centres including at the Gleneagles Community Centre Pottery Studio. Vanderley develops her imagery from nature - trees, landscapes & water. The driving force of her work is colour, alternating between gentle pastels & vibrant hues that convey a distinct mood reflecting her deep connection to nature & exploration of colour’s emotional impact.

Meet the Artists

Sun. Aug. 25, 2 - 3:30 pm

Join us in celebrating these talented artists & their stunning work. Meet the artists, take in the beautiful artwork & enjoy the company of fellow art lovers.

James Groening / Blue Sky

James Groening, aka Blue Sky, is a Burnaby-based Cree artist from the Kahkewistahaw First Nation. 

Adopted by his white grandparents during the Sixties Scoop, Groening was raised in Plains Cree Territory (also known as Manitoba) disconnected from his Indigenous roots. However, he retained a portion of his Kahkewistahaw name, Blue Sky, given to him by his maternal grandfather. After meeting his mother as a young man & learning about his heritage, James began a journey of reclaiming his Indigeneity. 

Groening paints in the Woodland Art style, with expressive designs & vibrant colours, depicting stories & legends from his rich cultural heritage.

"It is very important to convey what I learn about my culture through legends & teachings because generations have lost so much information & a sense of cultural identity. It is also easier to learn a complex truth through a cheerful medium like painting."

Led by artistic intuition & legends from his heritage that inspire him, Groening's artwork documents his journey of healing & growth, as he attempts to revitalize his cultural identity through art making & knowledge sharing.

Meet the Artist Reception

Sun. Sept. 29, 4:30 - 6 pm

Join us to celebrate artist James Groening / Blue Sky & his exhibition Blood Memories. Meet the artist; ask him about his inspirations & artistic practice; take in the extraordinary artwork; & enjoy teh company of fellow art lovers.

Supported by

Delve into the history of the woman’s pocket & how it has changed through history & evolved to what we know today.

Members of the North Shore Needle Arts Guild have studied the history & usage of the women’s pocket through the ages. Artists were encouraged to create traditionally stitched pieces, then allowed their imaginations to explore what a modern pocket might be for them using contemporary materials.

Using as close to original materials as possible, some members have replicated historically accurate pockets, while others have used non-traditional materials & created contemporary versions of the pocket.

In time for Women's History Month, this exhibition illustrates the history & usage of the pocket through both beautifully stitched examples & written information to showcase this mostly hidden treasure.

North Shore Needle Arts Guild was formed in 1977 by a group of needlework enthusiasts on the North Shore, & have expanded to include members far & wide. They meet regularly to share ideas, skills & knowledge. The NSNAG's 55 members exhibit individually & as a group, both locally & internationally while also participating in community engagements & initiatives.