~ Friday, May 29, 1996 — North Shore News

Local artist shows in Tokyo

Canadian
embassy hosts
Cap instructor

Shelley Kean

Community Relations
Advisor, Capilano Colicge

HE was only going to
stop over in Vancouver
for one year before
continuing on to Japan.

That was in 1966. Thirty
two years Jater, Capilano
College English instructor
and Art Institute printmaking
aluinnus, Pierre Coupey, final-
ly got his ticker to the land of
the rising sun.

“twill be having my first
international solo exhibition
of paintings and prints at the
Canadian Embassy Gallery in
Tokyo from September 8 to
October 27,” Coupey said.

“The exhibition is called
Norations 1994 - 1998 and
will feature about 15 pieces of
my current work.”

Most artists would be
thrilled with an opportunity
to show their work at any jocal
gallery.

But after 13 solo shows
and 19 group shows exhibited
mostly around the Lower
Mainland, Coupey felt ir was
time to branch out and reach
a new audience.

“It’s time to show my
work nationally and interna-
tionally,” the Montreal native
said. :

“The Canadian embassies
in Tokyo and Paris are the
only.two I know of that have
an exhibition program, so |
sent them an application. The
“embassy in Tokyo responded
immediately, inviting me to
‘send slides for a jury sitting in
May.’97

“I received confirmation
that I had been selected for a
show. They only do about
three or four a year, so this is
quite an honor.”

Included in the ‘Tekyo
show will be.a series of prints
-Coupey completed in 1996
and 1997 while he was on an
educational leave — from
Capilano College.

“ “I took a paid educational

_ leave to pursue. writing and
printmaking,” said Coupey,
’ who has published several

books of poctry.

“It also gave me the time,
fovus and coherence to apply
tor these overseas shows.”

Having an exhibition in
another country is a costly
venture, There are travel
costs, framing, shipping and
crating costs, as well as the
huge expense of a full-color
24-page catalogue to be pro-
duced in Engiish, Japanese
and possibly French.

Although he will receive
some finds from the embassy,
Coupey sull needed financial
assistance to get the show off
the ground, in the air, and to
a different country.

A call for help was made to
Capilano College directur of
development, Lana Robinson,
who really got the ball rolling
in Coupey’s favor.

Ir wasn’t long before
Robinson had some good
news for the arust — sponsor-
ship for his — exhibition
from Air Canada and Merit
Travel.

He has also received spon-
sorship from other institutions
and corporations, including
the British Columbia Arts
Council and the Seymour Art
Gallery, and continues to
actively seek further support
to help cover his costs.

“Lana has been tremen-
dously supportive,” Coupey
said. “She is enthusiastic and
visionary -—— she sees how
things could work and how
they can be moved ahead.”

Through Robinson’s
efforts and timely connec-
tions, Coupey’ s show has
‘become the centrepiece of
two 20-day Far East Arts and
Cultural Experiences, which
are being cosponsored by the
Capilano College Foundation,
Queen’s and Simon Fraser
universities.

“I had met Ken Tham, the
general sales manager of
Orient and Asia Travel, a divi-
sion of Merit Travel Group
Inc., at a conference last
year,” Robinson said.

“He told me about the
work he does with alumni
associations, organizing trips
to the far east. After Tierre
had come to me to talk about
sponsorship for his exhibition
in Japan, I called Ken and we
discussed the opportunities
surrounding Pierre’s show.

“Ken raade 3. special oip
out from Torento to meet

Pierre and the rest is history,”
Robinson said.

“The 20-day Far East Arts
and Cultural Experience was
dorn with an entire tour
sevolving around — Pierie’s
exhibition. Now Canadians
from across the country will
have an opportunity to enjoy
his work.”

‘Two trips are plar:naed with
the first running from Sept.
30 to Oct. 19, and the second
running from Oct. 21 to Now.
9. Merit ‘Vravel and Air
Canada will hose nwo special
receptions for these tour
groups in October at the
Canadian embassy in Tokyo.

Coupey will be on hand to
act as a guide, to give an
artist’s talk on his show, and
to sign catalogues.

The $7,745 all-inclusive
excursion lec is based on dou-
ble occupancy, with 5% of
each trip being matched by
the Ministry of Education,

Skills and Training to establish
the Pierre Coupey Capilano
Review Endowment Fund.

“Having additional funds
generated for The Capilano
Review is a real bonus,” said
Coupey, the founding editor
of the Canadian literary maga-
zine.

“Its future and stivival is
near to my heart and this
endowment will hefp ensure it
will have something to fall
back on during lean times.”

Capilano College ahimni
receive a special subser'ption
rate of $20 per year tor The
Capilana Review. Orders can
be placed by calling 984-
1712.

For more information on
the arts and cultural tours, call
Christine Craft at 983-7566.

There will be a presenta-
tion for the tour on Sunday,
May 31 at the West Vancouver
Memorial Library from 2 p.m.
to 3:30 p.m.

Photo Wayne Liedentrost
PIERRE Coupey pulls a color tria! proof from a series
of collagraphs at the Capilano Cclilege Art Institute.

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