No. 3 Road Art Columns
The No. 3 Road Art Columns are circular backlit display cases located at the base of the concrete piers that support the Canada Line guide-way at Aberdeen and Lansdowne Stations. These large backlit display cases allow the Richmond Public Art Program to showcase artwork by visual artists who work in 2D media. They are also part of the City’s commitment to enhance the No. 3 Road streetscape.The No. 3 Road Art Columns Program was launched in 2010 in partnership with the Appia Group of Companies, in collaboration with InTransit BC. The inaugural exhibition was presented in partnership with the Necklace Project, an inter-municipal collaboration for public art, involving 10 local cities and newly commissioned artwork on the theme of “illuminating communities.”
Since then, the program has featured the work of dozens of local artists with rotating exhibitions that change twice a year.
The Art Columns program is funded from the Public Art Program Reserve supported by contributions from the Private Development Public Art Program.
Art Columns: Exhibit 15, Part II
August 16, 2021-January 31, 2022
Exhibition Statement: This six-month exhibition showcases the work of Richmond artists Aman Aheer, Anja Novkovic, and Manuel Axel Strain who have created work in response to the theme of Hope, Resilience and Strength. This exhibition is part of the #RichmondHasHeart campaign, an initiative that aims to bring the community, residents and businesses together to show their support for those working to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore meaningful ways to find connection and express solidarity and support for others in the community.
Aman Aheer
Lansdowne Station: Aman Aheer is a queer painter of Indian heritage currently residing in Richmond. His work for this exhibition reflects on the idea of adaptation in the midst of rapid change and resilience of spirit in the context of uncertainty. His practice weaves textiles into the surfaces of his works and often mixes seemingly opposing or contradictory materials.
1. A Closer Walk (Scarlet Stilts), 2021
2. Beyond The Break, 2021
3. Divine Flight, 2021
4. Bridge, 2021
Anja Novković
Lansdowne Station: Anja Novković is a Richmond-based artist. In her illustration work she often focuses on nature and employs symbolism, dreamy line-work and joyful colour palettes to depict flora and fauna. Her series of illustrations for this exhibition depict medicinal plants and animal species found in the Garden City Lands, aiming to venerate the natural bounty that surrounds local residents and to encourage an attitude of stewardship.
1: Barn Owl & Dandelion, 2021
2: Blue Heron & Plantain Leaf, 2021
3: Rabbits & Red Clover, 2021
4: Coyote & Milk Thistle, 2021
Manuel Axel Strain
Aberdeen Station: Manuel Axel Strain is a non-binary Two-Spirit artist of Musqueam, Simpcw and Inkumupulux ancestry. Strain uses their art practice to confront and undermine the imposed realities of colonialism, proposing a new space beyond these systems of power. In Different Grounds, a series of photographic work for this exhibition they assert the presence of the Indigenous body to uplift and honour our relationships to the ground we all walk upon.
Different Grounds, Manuel Axel Strain, 2021
Art Columns: Exhibit 15, Part I
March 12-August 14, 2021
Exhibition Statement: This six-month exhibition showcases the work of Richmond artists Glen Anderson, Fanny Bok Yin Tang and Keely O’Brien who have created work in response to the theme of Hope, Resilience and Strength. This exhibition is part of the #RichmondHasHeart campaign, an initiative that aims to bring the community, residents and businesses together to show their support for those working to fight the COVID-19 pandemic and to explore new and meaningful ways to find connection while maintaining physical distancing protocols.
Keely O’Brien
Artist Statement: This series of postcards celebrates the kindness, interconnection and care that community members expressed for one another during a recent snail mail-based interactive art project. Each message is both a record of an intimate correspondence between participants and a public wish extended to all passersby.
Description: Four digital reproductions of original mixed-media artwork.
Artists: Keely O’Brien, 2021
Title of Artwork: Dearest
Fanny Bok Yin Tang
Artist Statement: This series of flower paintings captures life’s journey, surrounded by the earth’s ethereal beauty and glory, and within a world that is undeniably separate from the one in which we are living. Isolation and uncertainty are present during the pandemic but we can still hope to grow strong and beautiful. Where flowers bloom, so does hope.
Description: Four digital reproductions of original paintings.
Artists: Fanny Bok Yin Tang, 2021
Title of Artworks: Rhododendron
Artists: Fanny Bok Yin Tang, 2021
Title of Artworks: Crazy Yellow Daisy
Artists: Fanny Bok Yin Tang, 2021
Title of Artworks: Spring Dream
Artists: Fanny Bok Yin Tang, 2021
Title of Artworks: Pink Magnolia Flowers & Gill
Glen Andersen
Artist Statement: The locale depicted here might be the darkest public space in Richmond: mysterious, lost in time—a parallel world. Our current crisis is uniquely challenging for children, but as each generation navigates the compounding threats of its era, we can look to them to model resilience and adaptation: by enthusiastically getting outside.
Description: Four digital reproductions of original paintings.
Artist: Glen Andersen
Title of Artwork: The Old Normal—a storyboard for simple pleasures
Art Columns: Exhibit 14, Part II
Resident Art Groups Showcase
August 1, 2020-March 10, 2021
Exhibition Statement: This six-month exhibition showcases members of Men in Hats, Community Wellness Group and the Danny Chen Art Studio.
Danny Chen Art Studio
Artist Statement: Danny Chen Art Studio artists Danny Chen, Hilda Chen, Opal Chen and Caroline Chen present “Generations,” a series of mixed-media artworks that explores Richmond’s past, present and future from the perspective of multiple generations within the Chen Family.
Description: Four digital reproductions of original mixed-media paintings.
Artists: Opal Chen, Danny Chen and Hilda Chen, 2020
Title of Artworks: Resourceful Richmond - Farming City
Artists: Opal Chen, Danny Chen and Hilda Chen, 2020
Title of Artworks: City Life in 2020
Artists: Caroline Chen, Danny Chen and Hilda Chen, 2020
Title of Artworks: Joy, Happiness and Strength (Dandelion)
Artists: Opal Chen, Danny Chen and Hilda Chen, 2020
Title of Artworks: Multi-Culture in my Tummy
Community Wellness Group
Artist Statement: The Community Wellness Group is a Richmond-based arts group dedicated to raising awareness of community mental health through their practice of traditional Chinese brush painting. This series of work was completed through a process of collaboration and mentorship, and celebrates Richmond's natural diversity and heritage.
Description: Four digital reproductions of original paintings.
Artists: Angela Leung, Celia Leung and John Leung, 2019
Title of Artworks: Embracing Diversity
Artists: Dr. Vivian Lo and Celia Leung, 2020
Title of Artworks: Canadian Geese at Terra Nova Park
Artist: Lai Han Yik, Kam Wah Leung and John Leung, 2020
Title of Artworks: Herons at Britannia Shipyard
Artists: Selina Chan, Tony Chan and Celia Leung, 2020
Title of Artworks: The Maritime
Description: Four digital reproductions of original paintings.
Men In Hats
Artist Statement: Men in Hats is a Richmond-based group of plein air painters who practice their art form in the great outdoors while exploring the lower mainland. This group of paintings reflect historical sites in Richmond including Sea Island Airport Terminal, Steveston Harbour, Terra Nova heritage area and London Farms. For more information or to find out where they will be painting next, visit meninhats.ca.
Artist: M.L. (Marv) Skelton, 2020
Title of Artworks: Time Traveller
Artist: David McHolm, 2019
Title of Artworks: Kayaks on Shady Island
Artist: Randy Kneblik, 2020
Title of Artworks: Peaceful Morning
Artist: Mike Rossiter, 2020
Title of Artworks: London Farms
Resident Art Groups Showcase
February 3, 2020-July 31, 2020
Exhibition Statement: This six-month exhibition showcases members of the Richmond Artists Guild and the Textile Arts Guild of Richmond (TAGOR). Richmond Artists Guild artists John Beatty, Tom Taylor, Larry Tillyer and Susan Viccars present reproduced paintings in their exhibition that celebrates the Fraser River and its role in the cultural heritage of Richmond.
Richmond Artists Guild 
Artist: John Beatty
Title of Artworks: 1. Full House at Britannia | 2. Finn Slough Homesteads
Artist: Susan Viccars
Title of Artworks: 3. Safe Harbour at Scotch Pond | 4. Finn Slough Boats and Houses
Description: Four digital prints installed on No. 3 Road Art Columns
Artist: Tom Taylor
Title of Artworks: 1. Working Day on the Fraser | 2. Off Garry Point
Artist: Larry Tillyer
Title of Artworks: 3. View from the Bridge | 4. Steveston Docks
Description: Four digital prints installed on No. 3 Road Art Columns
Artist Statement: The Richmond Artists Guild was founded in 1955 with the goal of providing a forum for local artists to meet, improve their skills and learn more about art. This exhibition of work is inspired by the Fraser River and its ongoing role in building a rich cultural heritage that continues to inform our understanding of the past, present and future of Richmond. For more information, visit www.richmondartistsguild.com.
Textile Arts Guild of Richmond (TAGOR)
Artist: Shirley Rampton, Pamela Mahoney, TAGOR Collective
1. A Garden View | 2. African Comfort Quilt | 3. Prince Rupert Harbour | 4. What Are These?
Description: Four digital prints installed on No. 3 Road Art Columns
Artist Statement: TAGOR’s exhibition features a range of textile arts including the work of Shirley Rampton, Pamela Mahoney and the TAGOR Collective. The Textile Arts Guild of Richmond (TAGOR) was established in 1975 and is dedicated to advancing all facets of textile arts. This exhibition highlights the diversity of contemporary work produced by its members including charitable donations of quilts, knitted goods and other items for the Richmond community. For more information. visit www.tagor.ca. Photography by Andrea Sirois.