The Langley Centennial Museum and the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation have collaborated on a unique exhibition with a maternal theme, entitled The Art of Motherhood. The exhibit, on display at the Museum until July 4, features more than 50 works of art in various mediums, including sculpture, painting, mixed media, and drawing.
Together, the museum and foundation are celebrating motherhood through art in order to raise awareness and funds for The Vandekerkhove Family Maternity Centre at Langley Memorial Hospital.
Following the exhibit, the featured artwork will be auctioned off to help support the maternity centre’s expansion.
Throughout history, mother and child have been depicted in the works of many artists.
From Egyptian frescoes to contemporary sculptures by Canadian artists, children and mothers have been a recurring theme.
“We saw this show of motherhood-inspired art as the perfect opportunity to showcase Langley’s medical history while raising funds for the ongoing campaign to expand the maternity centre,” said the museum’s Cultural Services Manager, Peter Tulumello.
“The hospital, which was built 65 years ago, has natal facilities that have not kept pace with the birthrate,” said Errin Young, of the Langley Memorial Hospital Foundation.
“LMH has one of busiest maternity units in the region, with approximately 1,800 births per year. Staggering statistics demonstrate that the projected number of births here is expected to increase to more than 2,300 by (the year) 2020.”
The number of births at Langley Memorial Hospital has increased from 85 per year in 1948 (when LMH opened) to 1,800 per year in 2010. But the number of beds has only increased by two — from 11 to 13.
Under the theme “It All Starts Here”, the foundation has undertaken a capital campaign to raise $5.35 million from private partners and members of the community for a long-overdue expansion to LMH’s maternity unit and clinic, so it can continue to give the newest members of our community the best possible start in life.
The Foundation relies on the support of the community to ensure that the highest quality of healthcare can continue to be delivered right here at home in our community hospital. The Foundation is pleased to announce that more than $3 million has been raised to date.
“I’ve just returned from maternity leave, so I know firsthand what great work they do in the maternity department of our hospital,” added museum Curator Kobi Christian.
“To that end, the museum and the art community would like to do what they can to help, which is where the idea of an art auction came in.”
All of the artists exhibiting their works in The Art of Motherhood have agreed to having their works sold at a Garden Party Art Auction.
It will take place at the Langley Centennial Museum on Saturday, July 20 from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., with proceeds going to the maternity centre expansion.
The live auction will take place after the art exhibit has closed, but will be held during another hospital related exhibit — From Bedpans to Bandages: the History of Medicine in Langley. Both exhibitions hope to raise awareness of Langley’s pioneering medical history as well as the new needs of the growing municipality.
For more information or to reserve a bidding paddle, contact the Langley Centennial Museum at 604-532-3536.
