King of theatre fronts _ turns to abstract art zemember working for $3.50 a week or wat- ching their uncle skid logs down Granville Street. But Max Banbury, one of Van- couver’s oldest artists, does. He remembers the 1940's,’30s and even ‘20s of Vancouver, and with the slightest encouragement will vividly recall countless tales of those heady days. “1 worked with a lot of the best Fier: LOCAL artists can EVELYN JACOB spotlight feature artists here. | knew them ali,’ he says. But the West Vancouver painter is not one to five in the good old days. Today Banbury, 73, says he has started painting seriously. Beginning Tuesday, Nov. 28, a selection of his new abstract paint- ings will be displayed at West Vancouver's Ferry Building at Ambleside Landing. The grandson of one of Canada’s finest penmen, Banbury made a name for himself painting 50-foot fronts for Vancouve:’s downtown movie row. Banbury, who painted imagina- tive, colorful fronts and created props for practically every Van- couver theatre, was one of a mere handful of people in Vancouver engaged in 2 dying trade. “We'd paint palm trees or blood dripping off trees if it was a horror film,” he remembers. White working cader the light of a 40-watt bub in such old theatres as the Globe and Leaf, the Princess, the ald Orpheum and the National and Royal Vaudeville Houses, Banbury got to know all the town characters. ‘i knew all the window cleaners at the Lyric Theatre, Joe Miller (better known as the night inayor of Vancouver) and the garbage collectors,’’ he said. Banbury has always been in- volved in art. As a boy he painted chinese lanterns, sampans and mandarins at Jerichu Beach and was given ‘’a few pointers’ by Fred Varley, a member of Availabie Dec. 27, 1989 LONG-TIME Vancouver artist Max "NEWS photo Mika Wakefield Banbury is showing some of his newer paintings at the Ferry Building in West Vancouver from November 28-December 3. Says Banbury: ‘‘I’ve lived a Bohemian kind of life.’”” Canada’s famed Group of Seven. Although he never received any formal training in art, he became the president of the Poster Club at Kitsilano high school and studied under jack Shadbolt, arguably B.C.’s preeminent painter. “We used to call him ‘Shad Jack Bolt,’ joked Banbury. ‘He was a good teacher but he ate all my candy.” His first joo was as a props and sign-maker for the old Tait’s Sign Shop, then located at 7th and Cambie. Working as a sign-maker during the Depression was a way to make a living, he says, explain- Coupon Rent two movies at the regular price and with this coupon the third rental is at NO CHARGE! Limit one per customer. Offer expires November 25, 1989 Park & Tilford Store Orly. ! SAVE!OAN-FOQDS & DRUGS VIDEO ‘DEPARTMENT: ing that, ‘You couldn’t sell your paintings then. Even Alea Harrison who owned Harrison Gallery couldn't sell anything. Times were tough.” In those days Banbury kept a low profile. “We didn’t get much recognition for what we did. Our theatre managers got all the praise,” he said, recalling that painting theatre fronts often re- quired him working three days straight without sleep. But Banbury’s wife June pointed out that he had the biggest art See Max Page 28 ry Special 27 - Wednesday, November 22, 1989 - North Shore News DINE & DANCE Enjoy a Fabulous Dinner & Dance the Night away Friday & Saturday 7:00 pm-on. For Reservation Please Call 922-O101 1495 Marine Drive West Vancouver PRESENTATION HOUSE THEATRE 3rd & Chesterfield North Vancouver COUNTRY RESTAURANT AT EMERALD PARK 356 EAST 2ND ST., NORTH VANCOUVER CANDLELIGHT & COMEDY DINNER THEATRE PACKAGES NOVEMBER 23rd TILL DECEMBER 16th DINNERS , AT % y FORSTER’S “% (seating by 6:30 p.m.) & Small Caesar Salad * Prime Rib Roast or Poached BC. Salmon Strawberry Cheesecake Coffee or Tea AND 7 A TICKET to the a Heart Warming Comedy @ at PRESENTATION) § HOUSE THEATRE Bill C. omkll ASs AL CURTAIN 8PM id 2. BH ofich # f Adult $24/Student/Senior $22 [ium Come join us for one man’s renewal of faith during this Christmas Season. For INFORMATION AND RESERVATIONS Call Michael at 986-1351 or leave a message on our answering machine. PLAY ONLY $10. Student/Seniors $7.