Public Art

Come Fly with Me

Langley Regional Airport (YNJ)

Led by Rosalie “Rolie” Moore, the Flying Seven flew from the 1920s to the 1960s and broke barriers, paving the way for women in aviation. The group even went on to give pilot lessons to both men and women, teaching them to fly, repair an airplane, and even how to pack a parachute.

This mural depicts the portraits of the seven women including, Margaret Fane, Betsy Flaherty, Alma Gilbert, Rosalie Moore, Jean Pike, Elianne Roberge, and Tosca Trasolini.

This public art project was funded by the Township of Langley public art funds in cooperation with the building owner RDM Enterprises Group.

Nəq̓ ɑɬc̓ i (Drew Atkins) and Miməwqθelət  (Elinor Atkins) of k’wy’i’y’e (Spring Salmon Studio) in collaboration with artists from the ̓qʷɑ:n̓ ̓ƛə ̓n (Kwantlen), ̓qic̓ əy̓ (Katzie), Máthxwi (Matsqui), and Se’mya’me’ (Semiahmoo) First Nations

2023

Coast Salish artwork featured throughout plaza area.

Enhanced with vibrant Coast Salish artwork, this public plaza is a gathering space that highlights community while also honouring, acknowledging, and establishing local First Nations culture and presence on these lands.

When complete, the plaza will feature a circular motif gathering space portraying The Circle of Life, two 20 ft house posts designed to represent diversity and unity, as well as nine metal art pieces created in collaboration with emerging artists from the local First Nations. T

This project commemorates the Township of Langley’s 150th anniversary.

This project made possible by The Legacy Fund: Building Communities through Arts and Heritage.

Township of Langley and ̓qʷɑ:n̓ ̓ƛən̓ (Kwantlen) First Nation Plaza

Willoughby Community Park

7782 200 Street

Night Blooms

Routley Park

19901 70 Avenue

Ron Simmer

2023

Sculpture

This artwork is a “shining” example of sustainable public art.

Following the theme of urban ecology, this artwork demonstrates a zero-energy footprint while adding a pleasant lighting experience.

In the evening, as we walk among the curved vertical stalks, we experience the softly lit flower heads powered by solar panels and LEDs. During the day, the colourful array of petals provides a whimsical “Alice in Wonderland” ambiance to the park setting.

These flowers are programmed to turn on at dusk and offer a changing pattern of colourful arrays.

Ron Simmer is a Vancouver-based artist who mainly works with found objects and materials. Created to be an interactive physical experience, Simmer’s work often incorporates optical illusions to present a potential ‘future world’. Simmer is influenced by the pop art movement, focusing on matter from within the consumer culture.

Simmer has created public art installations for the annual Peace Arch Park International Sculpture Exhibition, Coquitlam Place des Arts, University of British Columbia’s Art in the Garden, Burnaby Deer Lake Gallery, and the West Vancouver Harmony Arts Festival

This public art project was funded by Greenway Amenity Fees collected from development in the Willoughby Community.

Heart in the Right Place

Yorkson Community Park

20591 84 Avenue

Kyle Thornley of Metal Mind Forge

2023

Sculpture

This sculpture captures the broad diversity of the Willoughby community. The engaging lens of the open heart encourages you to contemplate your own present moment, while safe and supported by the encircling hands. The wisdom of these hands and the openness of the heart create a mindful gateway from past to future, from here to there.
This sculpture creates a place for inspiration, enlightenment, social interaction, or even just to come together for a shared photo.

The heart is often viewed as the core of our humanity symbolizing the moral, emotional, and spiritual foundation of a person – the key to reflecting both the story, the essence, and the evolving identity of Willoughby. This heart is truly in the right place.

Kyle Thornley of Metal Mind Forge is a British Columbia-based artist who specializes in forged metal work. His background as a certified welder and his desire to recycle materials, led him to begin creating artwork with metal. The goal of Thornley’s work is to forge meaning between community members and their spaces, creating thoughts of encouragement, hopefulness, stimulation, and relatability.
Thornley has created public art installations for the Castlegar Sculpturewalk, Penticton’s Public Sculpture Exhibition, Red Deer Public Art Competition for G.H. Gawe Community Centre, and more.

This public art project was funded by Greenway Amenity Fees collected from development in the Willoughby Community.