Large art gallery among West Van’s best kept secrets
One of the North Shore’s largest art galleries is in a very unlikely place.
With paintings from the likes of Warren Goodman, Rose-Marie Goodwin, Lori McPhee and other acclaimed artists, Hollyburn Country Club’s collection is well known among members but hasn’t been widely discovered — yet.
In the lobby, October Aspens, a signature Goodman painting of trees at the peak of fall, is hung beside other work from the North Shore artist. Hundreds of others, including Deryk Houston’s vivid landscapes and Sandra Harris’s West Coast scenes, adorn nearly every hallway.
Unlike some other galleries, admission is free. Non-members can sign in at the club’s front desk.
“The whole place used to be made of cinderblock and had low ceilings. I thought a bit of art would make it look much better,” says Hollyburn’s art director Lisa Wolfin, who approached the club directly with the idea.
An artist herself, Wolfin has a keen eye for up-and-coming artists and has formed a relationship with the North Shore’s creative community.
The artists are displayed for around two months but longer if their paintings sell.
As Wolfin leads the tour, a club member asks for more information about Rising to the Top, a tall 48”x96” texturized painting of evergreen trees by Lori McPhee.
As luck has it, the artist is on site, dropping off Parlor Grand, a commissioned close-up of piano keys a member asked for after seeing a similar one that had recently sold.
“Hollyburn has made it possible for artists to connect with collectors, which is such a great gift,” says the former North Shore artist.
McPhee used a crackling technique she discovered by accident to create the texture of bark on her West Coast-style trees in Rising to the Top. It’s her largest work exhibited at Hollyburn, and one that shows off her technique of using palette knives along with brushes.
With dozens of paintings showcased, McPhee has an eclectic style, from jazz musicians to Tuscan landscapes to abstract flowers.
“There’s something for everyone, but still people see my work and know it’s mine,” she says, lifting the large canvas from the wall.
“I would get bored doing the same series. I have so much inside me I need to get it out,” she says energetically as a passerby inquires after another copy of Parlor Grand.
“A lot of people really like this one. I could see it hanging beside their grand piano.”
Wolfin makes a deliberate attempt to showcase North Shore artists and has an extensive list of 200 that continues to grow.
Since Hollyburn’s art continually changes, she says, collectors will visit several times a year.
“Members like coming here to see the work,” she says, walking through hall after hall of art. “They don’t have to drive downtown and look for parking anymore.”
Hollyburn Country Club is located at 950 Cross Creek Rd. near the 15th Street exit on the Upper Levels Highway in West Vancouver. To see more of McPhee’s art go to lorimcphee.com.
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