Lorna Libert - The Artist Whose Paintings Have Graced Our Walls For 30 Years
“When Boundary Bay opened, 30 years ago, I came by and saw the high ceilings and empty walls! I asked Ed if he'd like to hang some big paintings up. Back in 1995, we didn't have a cell phone full of pictures, so in order to show him my work, I borrowed a slide projector from the Library!! I filled the carousel with slides of my paintings and projected them on the walls of the Brewery. Ed selected about 20 or 30 paintings that he thought would be good to hang up. The pieces depicted dilapidated old buildings and big old weathered boats!
Photo of crew remodeling the space that would become Boundary Bay Brewery & Bistro.
I loaded up my truck and a U-Haul and brought in a large selection of large paintings!! Bruce, Ed, and I hung the paintings throughout Boundary Bay, filling up the empty walls.
Ed allowed me to store the remainder of my paintings downstairs under the brewery. The "basement" floors were made of dirt! We put some palettes down and leaned the paintings against a post. We covered them with tarps to keep the dust off.
As paintings would sell off the walls, I'd go downstairs and bring up new ones to fill the empty spaces. I stored the paintings there for several years.
For the better portion of 30 years, my paintings have hung in Boundary Bay. There have been a couple of times that they'd come down, but not many and not for long.
Since I started displaying my work at Boundary Bay, I've completed my MFA and have continued to work full-time as an artist. My paintings have been exhibited in galleries and museums across the country and can be found in private and public collections worldwide. More about that on my website!! (I earned an MFA in 1997 and also a BFA in 1989.)
I built a home/studio in Bellingham, where I reside with my husband, Jimmy, and our Dog, Gilligan. I participate in the Whatcom Artist Studio Tour, which takes place on the 1st 2 weekends in October.
*On a side note, Jimmy and I have an 18-piece Big Band. He plays the trumpet and I play the saxophone. We've enjoyed playing for several years in the Beer Garden during Big Band Mondays!! *
Boundary Bay has been a huge part of my life. Filling those big walls with my work helped me establish my reputation as an artist in Bellingham. The friends and the connections that I've made through Boundary Bay have added so much to my life!! I am incredibly grateful to Ed and Janet for all that they've done, not only for me but for our community!”
Check out Lorna’s gallery at the brewery or visit her website: www.lornalibert.com