Tapping into culture W. Van is ready for ‘serious art’ Evelyn Jacob SPOTLIGHT FEATURE T'S NOT often one gets to revel in the grandeur of a personal and profes- sional triumph, but Cathy . Matheson has been afforded that luxury every morning when she pulls into work. “i've got the best office in the city,’’ Matheson proclaimed dur- ing an interview last week, with a smile that lit up her heart-shaped face. Each day‘at 8 a.m. sharp, West Vancouver's cultural supervisor makes her way up a set of creaky wooden stairs to her light-drench- ed office atop the seaside Ferry Building Gallery, from which she surveys Burrard Inlet and the lush green forest of Stanley Park. “It really irks peopie knowing I'm sitting here looking out at the - water when they’ re staring at con- crete walls,” she Jaughs, looking like a corporate executive in business-like dress, high-heeled * shoes and neatly coiffed hair. Converting the heritage building into a working, breathing art gallery was her first major project since being hired by West Van- couver’s Parks and Recreation department five years ago, and she sees it as her greatest ac- complishment to date. After a clear need for exhibition space had been expressed by West Vancouver artists, Matheson was brought in to take control of and shape a new exhibition pro- gram. As West Vancouver's only public art gallery, the Ferry Build- ing Gallery has, in just a short time, earned the praise of many. With the help of curator Susan Aoki (Aoki has since resigned due to ill health) and programmer Col- leen Reed, Matheson has created a successful exhibition space with weekly shows, focusing exclusive- ly on the painters, sculptors and il- lustzators of the North Shore. Despite the building's bread-box dimensions, the public has been quick to embrace it, she says. More than 1,200 people pass through the wood interior facility each week throughout the sum- mer months (during the Harmony Arts Festival that number jumped to 4,000 a week, says Reed). And the art, she says, speaks for itself. One of the gallery's man- dates is to give equal exposure to the community’s emerging and more established artists. “4t’s important to show some- one of the calibre of Graham Gillmose and in the next breath a 17-year-old student like Bevil Conway, whose work is fabulous.”’ Matheson says it’s important that . she maintain an open-door policy njoy all of the charm and tradition of fire without the fuss and muss of a wood pile. Regency Gas Fireplace Inserts and Freestanding Stoves look so real PLUS they are economical, just pennies an hour. High efficiency, great heat, easy care, high safety, tarnish-free gold-plated finish. Come to our showroom today to see the full line of Weod & Gas Stoves, Inserts and Porcelain Stoves and High Efficiency Fireplaces. UP TO $120 OFF UNTIL SEPT. 15/92 ” FIREPLA E PRODUCTS - Service available for all gas appliances with artists, who are encouraged to share ideas. The kinds of discussions she’s had may not have taken place without the gallery. “That building has been an ef- fective means to connect with the arts community of West Van- couver. If it wasn’t here t couldn't have accomplished what f have in the last five years. There wouldn't . have been a focus or venue for that kind of excitement.” Matheson is determined to keep that excitement going. One of her priorities for the gallery is to extend the exhibits to two weeks. She admits that having to change shows each week has been somewhat chaotic. Longer shows will also allow the gallery to introduce an educational lecture series to accompany the exhibits. Matheson, whose backgraund is in business administration, sees the gallery's success as the foun- dation upon which other cultural projects have been, and will be, ui See Ferry page 22 Ai 2t NEWS Cindy Goodman CATHY MATHESON says West Vancouver’s Ferry Buliding, a gea-side art gallery in a park-like setting, is turning the heads of Vancouver's arts community. @ SE FREE MOZZA} § Witn the purchase of any Mozza Burger® medium A&W Root Beer® , fries or fresh onion rings, receive a second Mozza Burger® free. One coupon oer visit, per customer please. Not valid with any other promotional offer. Valid from Aug. 26 to Seot. 13, 1992 920 Marine Drive, (across from Capilano Mall)