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November 1993 WEST VANCOUVER HISTORICALSOCIETY Paged Arts on Argyle Celebration On the evening of Friday, August 13,1993, Pat Wallace pined members of the arts community of the North Shore, friends and supporters, gathered at the Silk Purse for a silver anniversary celebration - to mark 25 years of work by the West Vancouver Community Arts Council In conversation with Pat, founding president and talented artist, Mrs Clarence L. Sorensen recalled the Council's development. "The Community’s cultural cohesion came together back in 1963 when members of the West Van Sketch Qub, the Little Theatre and the West Vancouver Boys’ Band joined forces to stimulate interest and efforts in establishing an Arts Centre as the community’s Centennial project Although initial efforts proved unsuccessful, ^e cultural group did not give up and eventually the West Vancouver Arts Council became a reality in July of 1968, dedicated to stimulate and encourage participation in the arts and cultural activities. The first setting was the little Red Cross Building on Marine Drive next to the old Library which had been the home of one of West Van’s early day doctors. Dr. Stainsby. In 1977 the Council moved to Klee Wyck, the Capilano River-side home of the late, eminent doctor and pioneer radiologist. Dr. Evelyn Trapp. We moved again in 1991 and since then the Council has been at the Silk Purse, 1570 Argyle, an historic little cottage that grew. OriginaUy owned by the father of Vancouver’s former mayor, Tom Campbell, it was purchased by the West Vancouver District in 1978 from author John Rowland whose family continued to occupy it until a couple of years ago." > * - • -^1 A Brief History of The SUk Purse Excerpt, with permission from the West Vancouver Arts Council, from ARTS ON ARGYLE, Winter 1991, By Colleen Reed. West Vancouver finally has its own cultural centre, a lovely little waterfront home in Ambleside called the Silk Purse. This newly renovated premise will be a hub of exciting and diverse art classes, workshops, lectures and musical performances, but what makes this space so endearing is its little known, but colourful history. The Silk Purse was bought and renovated by Mr. John Rowland in 1969. His plan was to take a slightly dilapidated beach cottage, revamp it and fill it with early Canadiana. Mr. Rowland claims it was a labour of love. Mr Rowland’s son Jay is credited with naming the building, claiming his father was trying to “make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear”! When it finally stood complete, Mr Rowland decided to share his work of art with others. An old romantic, he made The Silk Purse available to brides for the first night of their honeymoon. He did not advertise but sent congratulation letters to the bridegrooms whose wedding announcements appeared in the local papers. After several bridal couples had stayed in The Silk Purse he had no need to mail any more letters. He was swamped with more brides than he could handle! Eventually, the building was expanded by architect, potter, and artist, Zoltan Kiss and Mr Rowland’s family moved in. In keeping with the waterfront development plan in West Vancouver, The Silk Purse was eventually bought by the West Vancouver Municipality and renovated from a cottage into a cultural centre. At present, the West Vancouver Community Arts Council occupies the upper offices and the two rooms on the main floor are for public use. One of the rooms is an art studio and the other is a common room which will be used for lectures, public readings, a music series, and other cultural events. (Editor's Note: The first floor is now shared by the West Vancouver Cultural Services, 922-2262, which arranges for rentals and workshops and The Gallery, which is operated by the West Vancouver Arts Council, 922-1110. The Gallery is open to the public Tuesdays to Fridays, 11 AM-5 PM and Weekends, 12 - 5 PM.) Christmas SUggestions card is single fold, B& W, No Message; Actual Size is 4.25 by 5.5 Inches This Christmas Card (Gertrude Lawson House, with snow,) will again be available In packages of 6 for $5.00... the same price as the others. There will be a supply at the General Meeting on November 25tti. Also for sale will be the regular cards and the Decal which was design^ for the Society and fits Inside your window, car window, motor cycle, wind screen or wherever you wish. The price of the Decal is only $1.00 each.