Centennial Park's best kept secret will be a secret no longer.
Although it has been open and in use by arts groups for several months, Semiahmoo Arts' new home in the park – the Mel Edwards Centre, located just next door to Centennial Arena – is about to go public in a big way.
The grand opening of the refurbished multi-purpose space – big enough for art shows, workshops, rehearsals and informal or experimental performances by Peninsula arts groups – will take place this Saturday (June 2) 4-7 p.m.
In a way, it's a brand new slate for the arts community.
And Semiahmoo Arts' new manager, Melissa Sumner, said she sees the opening as marking the beginning of a new era for the organization, formerly known as the Community Arts Council of White Rock and District.
"It's going to be a lot different," said Sumner, who noted the function of Semiahmoo Arts has evolved into far more of a support role for groups and individuals involved in various art disciplines.
"We want to be the umbrella over the top, to get everybody feeling like this is a community of artists," she added.
"Our goal isn't so much to be doing our own events – we're interested in helping other people do their own thing."
In keeping with this, the grand opening – no admission required – promises refreshments and "a taste of the arts," including performances by talented Semiahmoo Secondary jazz keyboardist Adrian Michael and his stellar combo, and members of the Peninsula-based Diskordance and XBa Dance companies, plus a sneak preview of an upcoming major show by a well-known local artist.
Formal ceremonies, at 5:15 p.m. will feature a ribbon-cutting with White Rock Mayor Wayne Baldwin, a blessing by the Semiahmoo First Nation, a reading by poet Heidi Greco and a choral presentation by sisters Shane and Hannah Brandon.
"I am excited about it – trying to imagine what the possibilities of the space can be," said Sumner, who also sees it, in addition to a performance venue, as an ideal 'dirty space' where large painting projects or workshops could be scheduled.
"As long as the walls stay white," she added, with a laugh.
Sumner said she feels that herself and her fellow staffer, communications co-ordinator Niamh Tracey – with the tireless support of president Barbara Cooper and the Semiahmoo Arts board – can present a fresh new approach for the organization.
"There are so many opportunities for us to reach out," Sumner said. She said that in addition to offering the Centennial Park space to renters at a very reasonable rate, they can provide assistance in scheduling and facilitating events and programs, and promoting them through Semiahmoo Arts' newsletter and website.
"And since both Niamh and I have a graphic design background, if a group doesn't have that ability we can help them develop a poster. We can't do it all, but we can definitely help with finding the way – and if we can't advise on something we can find someone else who can advise."
The new job as manager seems tailor-made for Sumner, who is married to Brian Sumner, of popular local roots music group the Sumner Brothers.
An artist herself – when she gets the time, she specializes in highly-detailed brush and ink studies of natural subjects – she grew up in Ladner and was heavily involved in art while at Delta Secondary (she graduated in 2004) and at Kwantlen College.
But, ironically, when she first moved to the Peninsula she was in a pilot training program studying to become a commercial pilot.
Although she still loves flying, two factors weighed against that as a career choice, she said – the cost of training, and a realization that she wasn't really the commercial pilot type.
The call of the arts has always been strong, she admitted. Even when she was studying to become an interior designer in her last year of college, she found herself more interested in the architecture and art history aspects of the program.
"I realized that was what I really wanted to be doing," she said, adding that facilitating art environments has begun to appeal to her as much as creating art itself.
While she enjoyed a stint teaching art history to children at White Rock's 4Cats Studio, she found herself increasingly involved in the arts in the community as a member of the White Rock and South Surrey Art Society, she said.
"When I saw the advertisment for the position of Semiahmoo Arts manager and realized I had the qualifications they were looking for, it seemed perfect," Sumner said.
"I could be helping promote the arts and be paid for it, too."
For more information on the opening and the Semiahmoo Arts space, call 604-536-8333 or visit www.semiahmooarts.com