ArtsConnect will celebrate 40th

Turning 40 may inspire some to slow down, take it easy, even consider early retirement.

Not so for ArtsConnect, the Tri-City's umbrella arts organization celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. In fact, if president Marianne LaRochelle's take on the group's standing is anything to go by, ArtsConnect is just getting started.

"We believe our lives are richer because of the arts, and that they're necessary for building healthy and vibrant communities," she said of ArtsConnect's advocacy role.

ArtsConnect has grown into the "vibrant hub of a thriving and diverse arts and cultural community," as its mission statement declares, but it came from humble beginnings, said founding president Don Portelance.

He thought back to his opening speech for the Chilliwack arts festival. It was 1967 and Chilliwack — a small town even by today's standards — was celebrating its lively arts scene.

"And I thought, 'Well this is dumb, why can't we have something like this in Coquitlam?'"

At the time Portelance was busy teaching an adult art class but, when sidelined with pneumonia for several months, was inspired to start a local arts group similar to Chilliwack's. He phoned just about everyone he knew, artists and non-artists alike, asking if they might come to a meeting.

Turns out the idea was even more popular than Portelance had expected and, pretty soon, they'd pulled together a $200 budget and organized the first Coquitlam Fine Arts Festival.

It being the late '60s, the highlight of that year's festival was a mayors' "paint-in." Subsequent years featured representatives from nearby First Nations, who demonstrated wood carving techniques, and the local francophone community, celebrated with an art exhibit from Quebec.

"We were such a thorn in the side of local politicians," Portelance said. "We wanted a home for the arts, we wanted a place to be, so we just kept at it."

After about five years, ArtsConnect was in luck. The Coquitlam RCMP detachment was moving from its Brunette Avenue home and city council agreed to let ArtsConnect use it — for six months.

They gladly moved in, fixing up the space and organizing art classes, demonstrations, music and dance programs. After a few more short-term leases, ArtsConnect had a home at Place des Arts (though it has since moved).

Forty years later Portelance said the group is a lot different. "It's a very professional group now. It's not run by the seat of your pants, like it was in the good old days... and they have a much bigger budget."

LaRochelle promises there are big things in store, including the launch of an online arts directory in 2010, and establishing new connections through social media tools like Facebook and Twitter.

"The board is really committed, it's a great group of focused people who really have a vision," she added. "As much as it's been a challenging year for the arts community with funding cutbacks, it's also brought the arts community together."

• ArtsConnect celebrates its 40th anniversary Nov. 5 with an AGM at 6:45 p.m., followed by an emerging talent concert at 8 p.m. at the Terry Fox Theatre. Visit www.artsconnect.ca for info.

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