THIS Gallery

The Anatomy of a Storm opens today! Come today while it’s calm or come tomorrow for the party!

The opening reception is Saturday, June 22 noon to 4.

The artist, Kirk Gower (.f.gower) will be in attendance.

Visit us this Saturday for the opening reception of The Anatomy of a Storm by the incredibly talented artist Kirk Gower (.f.gower)

The exhibition portrays aspects of the human experience by using cloudscapes as a tool to reference different moods. Each figure and still life in this series is engulfed in one of the various stages of a storm – from the transitional moment when clouds begin to develop, to the peak intensity of a storm and eventually, the intense beauty that follows a squall.

The opening reception is Saturday, June 22 from noon to 4. There will be cake!

Join us this Saturday, June 22 for the opening reception of The Anatomy of a Storm. A collection of new hyper-real paintings by Vancouver artist Kirk Gower.

In the exhibition “The Anatomy of a Storm”, Kirk Gower aims to portray aspects of the human experience by using cloudscapes as a tool to reference different moods. Each figure and still life in this series is engulfed in one of the various stages of a storm – from the transitional moment when clouds begin to develop, to the peak intensity of a storm and eventually, the intense beauty that follows a squall.

I can’t express to you how amazing these paintings are in person. It’s ridiculous.

The opening is from noon to 4 pm and the show runs for just two weekends closing on the 29th!
f.gower

Join us this Saturday for the opening reception of The Anatomy of a Storm. A new solo exhibition by Kirk Gower (.f.gower)

Kirk Gower is a visual artist and painter with a strong interest in portraiture. Originally from the Sunshine Coast, Gower currently resides on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh peoples (Vancouver BC). He holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from Emily Carr University. Recent exhibitions include the Seymour Art Gallery, Kariton Art Gallery, and as an artist with Vancouver Mural Festival. His work has been featured in various publications including Booooooom, Create Magazine, Visionary Magazine, and Suboart Magazine.

Opening reception Saturday, June 22 noon - 4 pm. The artist will be in attendance.

When creating this series, Kirk Gower began to see the people in his life as though they were caught in various stages of their own weather systems. This new work plays with the idea of creating moments of stillness in the midst of constant transition. While many people associate storms with destruction or loss, they can also be catalysts for growth and revitalization. Ultimately, the goal of this body of work is to show life’s mercurial stages, the importance of perseverance, and the sumptuous beauty throughout it all.

Opening reception Saturday, June 22 noon to 4.

THIS Gallery
Lower Ground Level
268 Keefer Street
Vancouver, BC
f.gower

Felicia Fraser is an artist who specializes in hyper-realistic oil paintings that capture the nostalgia of childhood. Her art brings ordinary objects of significance from the past back to life with intricate detail and glorious colours, evoking the joyful feelings of her youth.
 
A lifelong artist who trained as a graphic designer and illustrator and graduated from Capilano University’s IDEA program in 2009, Felicia is a mother of two who finds inspiration from watching her two sons play with freedom, creativity and joy. The painstaking attention to detail she pours into every brush stroke is a love letter to the feelings her subjects evoke, and her passion for embracing her inner child.
 
‘Make. Believe.’ features realistic, large-scale oil paintings of ordinary childhood objects against the backdrop of a nostalgia-inducing installation that features an interactive blanket fort, displays of well-used toys such as dinosaurs, Hot Wheels, slinkies, friendship bracelets and foil balloons.

This is Felicia’s second solo exhibition in the past 12 months, and follows ‘90s Kid,’ which debuted at the Slice of Life Gallery in Vancouver. Felicia has been featured in numerous group exhibitions in the Lower Mainland and has attracted magazine and newspaper coverage of her  work. She has completed more than 60 commissioned paintings in the past four years and also offers painting workshops to students of all ages.

Visit Make. Believe. Friday and Saturday June 7-8 to see the exhibition.

Friday and Saturday are the final days to see Make. Believe. by Felicia Fraser ()

‘Make. Believe,’ is an immersive experience that transports you to a time when you had the freedom and the inspiration to play and be joyful. Her highly realistic paintings of toys and childhood objects highlight both the intricate beauty of the ordinary as well as the significance they hold as symbols of a shared childhood experience. The interactive elements—including a blanket fort and friendship bracelet station—give the viewer permission to be playful and get lost in the wonder of nostalgia.

THIS Gallery is open noon to 5 Fridays and Saturdays. We are located on the lower ground floor of the Sun Wah Centre in Vancouver’s Chinatown.

Visit the gallery today to see these paintings and more!

‘Make. Believe,’ is an immersive experience that transports you to a time when you had the freedom and the inspiration to play and be joyful. Her highly realistic paintings of toys and childhood objects highlight both the intricate beauty of the ordinary as well as the significance they hold as symbols of a shared childhood experience. The interactive elements—including a blanket fort and friendship bracelet station—give the viewer permission to be playful and get lost in the wonder of nostalgia.

Felicia Fraser is an artist who specializes in hyper-realistic oil paintings that capture the nostalgia of childhood. Her art brings ordinary objects of significance from the past back to life with intricate detail and glorious colours, evoking the joyful feelings of her youth.

The gallery is located inside the Sun Wah Centre at 268 Keefer St in Vancouver’s Chinatown. We’re open Saturdays from noon to 5 pm.

THANK YOU to everyone who purchased an art pack from the Amazing Online Art Dispenser! Thanks to you, there’s only one slot left!

For just $50 you receive original art by a mystery guest artist! Ooooo!

Once the dispenser is empty, the mystery artist/artists are revealed and a new round begins!

Introducing The Amazing Online Art Dispenser: Unveil the Mystery, Discover the Art, and Support THIS Gallery!

Step right up and experience a revolutionary way to buy art online with The Amazing Online Art Dispenser! Dive into our enchanting online shop where every item is shrouded in delightful mystery. Each hidden gem waits for your curious cursor to reveal a tantalizing sneak peek of what’s inside the whimsical mystery bag.

For just $50, you receive a mystery pack full of art! Every pack is a treasure trove, containing at least five original works of art—whether they be stunning drawings, vibrant paintings, or intriguing collages—crafted by talented artists. And that’s not all! Each pack also includes a bonus wearable item, adding a unique flair to your artistic collection and…your person.

But there’s more to the magic! Every purchase from The Amazing Online Art Dispenser directly supports THIS Gallery, helping us continue our mission to showcase incredible art and nurture the creative community. Your participation in this fundraiser ensures that we can keep bringing exceptional art experiences to everyone.

The Amazing Online Art Dispenser is more than just a shop; it’s an adventure for the senses, a celebration of creativity, and a surefire way to add a dash of excitement to your art-buying experience.

Hover, discover, and delight in the unexpected—every bag is a new journey into the world of art, and every purchase makes a difference.

Don’t just buy art, experience it. Dive into the wonder of The Amazing Online Art Dispenser today and support THIS Gallery!

Direct link in bio.

Due to popular demand, MAKE. BELIEVE. has been extended to June 8! So come by this Friday and Saturday AND next Friday and Saturday to view Felicia Fraser’s incredible paintings as well as the interactive installation she’s created in the gallery.

Thank you to everyone who made it to the opening reception for MAKE. BELIEVE. on Saturday.

Some very important calls were made, a very confusing cake was eaten and so many people got to revisit their childhoods in other meaningful ways.

Thank you Felicia Fraser for successfully creating the vibe of an 8 yr old’s birthday party! It was so much fun.

The exhibition is up until Saturday, June 1. The gallery is open Friday and Saturday afternoons or by appointment.

This exhibition Make. Believe. summed up in one epic photograph!

THIS IS A PAINTING
Come see it in person today at the opening reception for MAKE. BELIEVE. A solo exhibition of new work by Vancouver based artist Felicia Fraser ()

Felicia Fraser is an artist who specializes in hyper-realistic oil paintings that capture the nostalgia of childhood. Her art brings ordinary objects of significance from the past back to life with intricate detail and glorious colours, evoking the joyful feelings of her youth.

THIS Gallery
Lower Ground Level
268 Keefer Street
Vancouver, BC

Reception Saturday, May 25 noon to 5.

Check out for a great interview with our current exhibiting artist, Felicia Fraser!

www.straight.com

Fraser’s exhibition, Make. Believe. opens Friday, May 24 with an opening reception Saturday, May 25, noon to 4. The artist will be in attendance.

One of the best kept secrets in Chinatown is how freaking delicious the food at House of India is. You can find them at 504 Main Street.

This coming Saturday join us for Make. Believe. A solo exhibition of new paintings by Vancouver based artist Felicia Fraser ()

Felicia Fraser is an artist who specializes in hyper-realistic oil paintings that capture the nostalgia of childhood. Her art brings ordinary objects of significance from the past back to life with intricate detail and glorious colours, evoking the joyful feelings of her youth.

Saturday, May 25, noon to 4 pm. There will be cake!

You can see this amazing painting and many more at the opening reception for Make. Believe. A new solo exhibition by Felicia Fraser ().

“Make-believe” was the name we gave to the creative games we played as children; the worlds we invented when we let our imagination run wild, and the situations we imagined ourselves in without the burden of responsibility, or the restrictions of reality that so dominate the adult experience. The paintings and installations in this exhibition encourage you to lose yourself in the simple things that brought you joy as a child, from collecting small plastic toys or snails in a jar to enjoying a frozen popsicle on a hot day. They are meant to remind us of a time when we were the purest and simplest version of ourselves. If we had the permission and freedom to be curious, messy, emotional and imperfect as kids, why not now? As a mother of two and avid embracer of her inner child, Fraser challenges us to rediscover the magic of our youth so that we can find a greater sense of joy, peace and self-acceptance.

There will be an opening reception on Saturday, May 25 from noon to 4 pm. The artist will be in attendance.

Visit thisgallery.org to book a session with Artistic Director, Shannon Pawliw.

She can help you gel your ideas, work through exhibition planning or help you see your work more clearly.

Online or in-person (Vancouver) visits available.

Felicia Fraser’s solo exhibition Make. Believe. opens next Saturday May 25th!

‘Make. Believe,’ is an immersive experience that transports you to a time when you had the freedom and the inspiration to play and be joyful. Her highly realistic paintings of toys and childhood objects highlight both the intricate beauty of the ordinary as well as the significance they hold as symbols of a shared childhood experience. The interactive elements—including a blanket fort (!) and friendship bracelet station—give the viewer permission to be playful and get lost in the wonder of nostalgia.

So make sure you make time to visit the gallery May 24 - June 1 to play in the blanket fort and get nostalgic over all the kid stuff!

There will be an opening reception Saturday, May 25 from noon to 4.

THIS Gallery
Lower Ground Level
268 Keefer Street
Vancouver, BC

I recently saw a post lambasting anyone who would be so passé as to wear leggings and it caused me to reflect on the nature of ‘trends’ in both fashion and art.

Basically, I think trends are bu****it. At best they create cliquey groups of same-same look-a-likes. At worst, they are manipulations by the capitalist system that keeps us all prisoners.

Thrift more. Avoid fast fashion and wear whatever the hell you want. This is probably the only time in history where most people can safely get away with it. Express your personality! Or don’t! No one really cares.

As for art, all of the above applies. Make work that pleases you. Regardless of what anyone else is doing. Do whatever you have to, to make that art. Get a third job if you have to. Just make YOUR art.

Saw this on both and and it really resonates.

Collecting art is a big part of my own art practice. I feel that being a part of the art ‘economy’ is an important way of being a part of the art community.

Supporting artists and art spaces financially allows them to keep doing what they do. It supports the cultural ecosystem in a fundamental way.

So, if you want to live in a community that is innovative, exciting and rich with ideas, beauty and culture, buy some art.

Thoughts? How can we best support and encourage artists?

May 24 - June 1, 2024 — The nostalgic feelings of childhood are never far from Felicia Fraser’s mind, or her art. Her latest exhibition, ‘Make. Believe,’ is an immersive experience that transports you to a time when you had the freedom and the inspiration to play and be joyful. Her highly realistic paintings of toys and childhood objects highlight both the intricate beauty of the ordinary as well as the significance they hold as symbols of a shared childhood experience. The interactive elements—including a blanket fort and friendship bracelet station—give the viewer permission to be playful and get lost in the wonder of nostalgia.

It’s the final day to see Hi, I’m Complicated by at THIS!

All of the work in the show is available for purchase. You can preview and purchase Dyck’s work at thethisgallery.com.

Link in bio.

Based in the Fraser Valley of British Columbia, Canada, Amy J. Dyck’s work is a unique mix of representational and playful expressionism and strives to express something deeper in the human experience than can be observed by the eye.

Using collage, oil paints, and (more recently) sculpture, and pulling from anatomical studies and visual experimentation, her work is strongly autobiographical in nature. It references her struggles with a body that does not do as it should and her journey toward acceptance, resistance, and resilience in the midst of suffering.

Amy has a certificate in design studies from KPU, has spent a decade practicing human anatomy and the techniques of the Old Masters and is always pushing her practice into new directions.

She has also had her work featured in a handful of art magazines and has won awards and cash prizes in several international art exhibitions and contests. She teaches and demonstrates painting and drawing for all ages in Vancouver and the Fraser Valley and has her work in collections around North America and Internationally.

View Dyck’s solo exhibition Hi, I’m Complicated Friday and Saturday from noon to 5.

THIS Gallery
Lower Ground Level
268 Keefer Street
Vancouver, BC

In honour of International Collage Day (this Saturday, May 11) enjoy some of the highlights from Hi, I’m Complicated by Amy J. Dyck.

Working with the hard truth of her complex chronic illness, Dyck’s portrayal of figures is informed by the tension and grief she feels living in a body with a disabling condition and references the strategy of dissociation or compartmentalizing as a coping mechanism.

The show continues this week and closes on Saturday! The gallery is open Friday and Saturday noon to 5.

You can also check out (and purchase) work from the exhibition at thethisgallery.com.

Link in bio.

Swipe to see more details and this painting in its entirety.

The Conversation
30x40” oil on canvas

Symbols recurrent throughout the collection carry significant meanings: wings symbolize the desire to escape adversity; wheels, the mobility aids Dyck relies on for movement; monsters, the feared or deemed unlovable aspects of the self. Incorporations of scorpion tails, horns, and spikes reimagine ferocity and power, representing a fantasized retaliation. Each element signifies a profound truth, visible beyond mere sight.

Visit the gallery in person Fridays and Saturdays noon to 5. Visit thethisgallery.com (link in bio) to see the rest of Amy J. Dyck’s current exhibition.

Congratulations to on the opening of her solo exhibition, Hi, I’m Complicated! Thank you to everyone who joined us this afternoon for art, cake and bubbly.

The exhibition continues until Saturday, May 11. Like most art, this work is best seen in person. So, come down and check it out Friday and Saturday noon to 5.

Join us Saturday for the opening reception for Amy J. Dyck’s solo exhibition, Hi, I’m Complicated.

THIS Gallery
Lower Ground Level
268 Keefer Street
Vancouver, BC

Noon to 4pm. will be in attendance.

There are a lot of fun things going on in the East Van art world tomorrow, Saturday May 4th! Check out new shows and openings at all of the above! ⬆️

Or Gallery
Access Gallery
Canton Sardine .sardine
Centre A
SUM Gallery
Monte Clark Gallery
Afternoon Projects
Fazakas Gallery
Outsiders and Others Gallery
Paneficio Gallery and Studios
Gallery 881
Catriona Jeffries Gallery .jeffries