Paint the Train 2018

Early this spring, we partnered with the prestigious Arts Council of Surrey to bring the artists in the Surrey area together with Surrey’s heritage, specifically the BC Electric Railway.
We wanted to see how our artisans viewed the history and the romance in the early development of the Fraser Valley, the restoration of the 100 plus year-old interurban cars, the tracks they ran on (and still do), the various pieces of railroad gear, the railroaders themselves and the scenic panorama through which the trains traveled.
You will see by the result of the competition that it was nothing short of a spectacular success! The wide variety of the media, and amazing treatments of the subject matter are very exciting indeed. And I can only say VERY WELL DONE!
I’d like to thank our volunteers who embraced and promoted the project. Some even entered artwork.

Thanks to our team of judges, Henry Ewert, our Historian in Residence, Stephen Plant, Chair of the Guest Experience Team, Barbara Ducharme, Station Master and Discovery Centre Volunteer, and Ray Hudson, Communications Director. Incidentally, you should know that the judges were unaware of the identities of the artists until the judging was completed.
I’d like to thank the Arts Council of Surrey, Carol and her staff, Jenny Lewis and Sarah Power as well as Lyn Verra-Lay.

John Sprung, Chair FVHRS

The Arts Council of Surrey proud to have partnered with the Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society for their inaugural art competition “Paint the Train’ celebrating the historic BC Electric Interurban Trains.
Art has a unique ability to highlight an idea in a way that is unlike any other. Artists give careful and thought and attention to every detail that makes up their piece in order to connect the subject matter to the viewer. This is precisely the reason this competition was a good fit for the Arts Council of Surrey to help facilitate. The people behind these beautiful trains are faithfully restoring and caring for our history and bringing attention to that work with art is a worthwhile endeavor.
Thank you to all participating artists for your astounding creativity and hard work!
We hope to see this competition grow; we can’t wait to see what amazing creations are submitted next year.

Carol Giardi, President Arts Council of Surrey

Presented here are the Winners and Honourable Mention entries from the 2018 Paint the Train competition. Please click on the thumbnail images to see the Award, Artist and their statement about the entry.

The Fraser Valley Heritage Railway Society in partnership with the Arts Council of Surrey thanks all of the artists who participated in the 2018 Paint the Train project. We also thank the staff of the Arts Council for their assistance in coordinating the project and receiving the submissions.

We look forward to the Second Annual Paint the Train event next year. Watch for notices in the Spotlight, and on FVHRS.org.

Our thanks to our Corporate Supporters:

  prizes and reception

producing the programme and catalogue of Artists’ Submissions and Awards.