About the "West"
The West Fine Art Show
Each West Fine Art Show brings together a dazzling group of exceptionally talented western Canadian artists.
brought to you by,
The West Fine Art Show Society
Incorporated under the BC Society Act as S-0061972 on November 4, 2013.
Our board of directors:
Brian Croft, President, Organizer, Secretary, Webmaster.
Bryan Coombes, Vice President.
Shawn Siak, Treasurer, Event Planner.
Eight additioal board members serve as directors-at-large.
The recorded purposes of this society are:
(a) To Organize and operate fine art shows.
(b) Where beneficial to the organization and operation of fine art shows, to form partnership(s) with charitable societies and direct a portion of art show sales to the partnered charitable societies.
Frequently we are asked
Do we lend or rent our artshow panels, lighting and associated equipment. To protect our considerable investment in show equippment so that we can produce West Fine Art Shows well into the future, we have a long-standing policy that our equippment will not be loaned or rented out.
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Remembering
Betty and Murray Phillips
All artists from the early years of the West Fine Art Show will remember Betty. Gracious, kind and generous, Betty volunteered in every way and quickly became the heart and soul of our show. In 2013, when Betty’s life-journey delivered her into the care of Langley Hospice, a strong partnership was forged between the West Fine Art Show and Langley Hospice Society. That partnership endures in the form of our annual fall show. We miss her presence, her smile and her love; we will always remember Betty.
Already a successful art gallery owner and artist, Murray saw the need for a local fine art show and set out to produce it. He gathered artist friends from all over western Canada and created our annual fall show. In 2013 Murray formed the West Fine Art Show Society and organized a second annual show that subsequently became our May show. Up to 2016, Murray annually organized a dazzling collection of artists and their work for each show Murray was diagnosed with stage IV glioblastoma in 2017. He lived his last days in grace and peace leaving the West Fine Art Show for us to carry forward.
Bob Siak
From the beginning, the West Fine Art Show relied on volunteerism to make it happen.
Bob, with his capable hands and can-do attitude, was more than a volunteer, he was a leader who saw beyond obstacles and built solutions. Whether it was helping with set-up or parking signs or electric hook-up or tear-down, Bob was always exactly where you needed him, beside you and ready with a helping hand.
In 2015 Bob passed away during recovery from a surgical operation. Although this tragedy took Bob from us, his energy can still be felt at each show by artists, board members and visitors. Thanks to you Bob, the show you helped build goes on; we will always remember you!
Barry Day
Barry Day was a warm-hearted and giving friend who volunteered to help in our community whenever he was asked. After a short, brave battle with cancer, he passed away on March 6, 2023.
Over the many years of serving with our show, Barry brought energy and a “can-do” attitude and he lightened the hard work we do with his quick-witted humour. Barry’s involvement with the West Fine Art Show went far beyond setting up and taking down our show. He also volunteered on countless occasions with behind-the scene equipment acquisition, modification and fabrication and also the hard work of inspections and inventory of our show equipment.
As satisfying as it may be to be able to present the West Fine Art Show to the public, Barry made it all much more doable and fun and for that we will miss his fellowship very much. On behalf of all past featured-artists and all the board members at the West Fine Art Show Society, thank you Barry for your friendship and service through the years you were with us!
Red Robinson
We are so very sorry to hear that Red Robinson passed away on April 1, 2023. Red and his wife Carole were such wonderful friends and supporters of the West Fine Art Show and Red will always be remembered for his talent, energy and fun when he emcee’d our art shows over the years. Remembering their son Jeff led to Red's long support of CH.I.L.D. Foundation as seen here in our show banner.
We wish to send our condolences to daughters, Kellie and Sherrie, and we join the great community of fans and friends who will never forget Red, our champion of modern radio and rock and roll.
Thank you so much for your friendship and, for heaven’s sake, …. keep spinning them Red!
Looking back on the history of the West Fine Art Show
The West Fine Art Show is the brainchild of the accomplished western Canadian artist, Murray Phillips. His vision of bringing together a group of exceptionally talented western Canadian artists flourished thanks to the show being hosted for the first four years by Senator Gerry St. Germain at his Indian Springs Land and Cattle Co. ranch in South Surrey.
Looking Back.....
2024 - 2020. We are a bit behind but will fill this history in soon.
2019
Thank you all for making 2019 our best year ever!
The tenth-annual Late-Summer edition of the West Fine Art Show, at Glass House Estate Winery in beautiful south Langley, was a great success in every way. With19 exceptional artists, the three-day exhibition had great attendance and brisk sales. Thanks go out to the de Jong family, owners of Glass House Estate Winery and Joseph Richards Group for their hospitality and generosity in hosting the show. Sales of art generated substantial donations towards the Langley Hospice Society.
2018
The West Fine Art Show, created to connect people with art, artists and charitable purpose added an Early Spring Show. With our new partner, the Langley School District Foundation. Our 2018 show calendar became a trilogy with shows in March, May and September.
2017
Our two annual shows continued: Cloverdale Rodeo with our Remembering Jeff Robinson display in support of CH.I.L.D. Foundation and an emerging artists display of Lord Tweedsmuir student art; and then our second show "Remembering" at Glass House Estate Winery which was a stunning success in support of Langley Hospice thanks to our new hosts, Arthur, Ingrid and Margit deJong.
2016
This year featured a bigger and better show at Cloverdale Rodeo and a stunning "Remembering Betty" show--in tents-- at Thunderbird Show Park
2015
May 2015 Opening Ceremonies at Cloverdale Rodeo
MurrayPhillips, Red Robinson, BrianCroft
August 20-23, 2015 at Thunderbird Show Park
2014
We were very grateful for the support which allowed us to expand to two shows this year. Our society is also grateful to the Tidball Family and those at Thunderbird Show Park for hosting us at that show and and also the work of
Sept 13-14, 2014 at Trev Deeley Motorcycles, in support of CHILD Foundation. This show was hosted by and with the assistance of Darwin Osarchuk who arranged for space at Trev Deeley Motorcycles.
September 5-7 2014
Our "Remembering Betty" Show at Thunderbird Show Park in Langley, BC....in support of Langley Hospice.
2013 Featured artists
Murray Phillips, Gaye Adams, Craig Benson, June Bloye, Carmel Clare, Bryan Coombes, Brian Croft, Lalita Hamill, Tammie Hunter, Mark Hobson, Doug Levitt, Esther Sample, Nathan Scott, Joe Smith.
Guest artists: Bill Higginson, Olga Rybalko, Sharie Posein, Josh Jenkins