Featured Image Credit: @xsarahellis @squamishmedia (IG)
Never underestimate how stealthily Mother’s Day can creep up on you on the calendar! Before we even get started, it’s Sunday, May 11—all day. While gifts are always nice (flowers and chocolates are classics for a reason), an even more heartfelt gesture is a shared experience.
Whether you’re planning a day together, or just taking her out for a bit of quality time, art galleries, workshops or performances are all fantastic ways to bond and create new memories. Thankfully, there is plenty of expression happening in the Lower Mainland & Whistler on the day of, week of, and month of (in case you’re reading this a little late).
So now that you know the date and you have a vague idea of what you might like to do, let’s get into some specifics! Here are a handful of artsy outings to make Mother’s Day memorable with the lady of the hour.
Postcards from the Heart — Vancouver
On until October 5
A wander through the Vancouver Art Gallery and a bit of lunch at 1931 Gallery Bistro is a solid plan for any afternoon with Mom.
The current VAG exhibit is Postcards from the Heart: Selections from the Brigitte and Henning Freybe Collection, which celebrates the Freybes family’s long-time contributions to the gallery. Comprising a selection of more than 30 paintings, sculptures, photographs, films and works on paper, Postcards from the Heart is a tribute to the couple’s deep engagement with modern and contemporary art and reflects the depth of their collection with works from the 1960s to today. While the Freybe collection is diverse and wide-ranging, at its core, it honours the creativity and knowledge that artists produce.
Credit: Julie Mehretu, Six Bardos: Luminous Appearance, 2018, 19-colour, 2 panel aquatint, Collection of the Vancouver Art Gallery, Promised Gift of Brigitte and Henning Freybe, Photo: Ollie Hammick, Courtesy of the Artist, Marian Goodman Gallery and White Cube
Guerrilla Girls: Talking Back — Burnaby
On until June 18
Was Mom a frequenter of protests and marches in her heyday? If she’s always stood up for what’s right, this might be a fitting tribute to her good heart.
This exhibition presents a body of work by the American feminist artists collective Guerrilla Girls, who formed in 1985 in New York City in response to gender and racial inequities in the arts community. Drawn from the collective’s late 1980s portfolio of 30 posters, Guerrilla Girls Talk Back, these works employ pointed critique, humour and guerrilla tactics such as posters, handbills and protest actions used to counter hegemonic cultural systems.
Credit: Guerrilla Girls, Guerrilla Girls’ Pop Quiz, 1990, offset lithograph on paper, 43.0 cm x 56.0 cm, City of Burnaby Permanent Art Collection. burnaby.ca
North Shore Arts in the Garden — Vancouver’s North Shore
May 24 June 14 & June 15, 2025
A little later on in the season, but still a great outing idea! This annual North Shore outdoor community event that will be taking place this year for its 25 year running! Each year, musicians, visual artists and performers fill beautiful, local, outdoor garden spaces with their imagination and creativity, with the aim of inspiring visitors to reflect on their relationships to place, land, and community.
‘Credit: art-bc.com
Braided Spirits — Surrey
May 25
Both a celebration and an opportunity to learn in equal measure, this one-day event will be a fantastic outing for the whole family. Weaving together traditional and contemporary Indigenous arts, this is set to be an inspiring showcase of performers from the Coast Salish, Northwest Coast and Prairie Nations. Expect a high-energy event featuring a mix of DJs, choral performances and traditional dance with a contemporary flair.
Credit: surrey.ca
ARTS 2025 — Surrey
From May 3 – July 27
A juried exhibition of local artists across various mediums, this annual art celebration has been happening for over 40 years! ARTS never fails to stimulate conversation and invite visitors to challenge their perceptions of traditional art. From painting to printmaking and performative art, there’s no shortage of avenues to be inspired here!
Credit: surrey.ca
The Coast Mountains: Recent Works by Edward Burtynsky — Whistler
Until Sep 15
A day trip to Whistler might be just the escape mom needs. What better excuse to get into the alpine air than with an exhibition by internationally acclaimed photograph-based artist, Edward Burtynsky. Over the past 40 years, Burtynsky has focused his camera lens on the impact of human industry around the planet. This display of recent works in Whistler entitled The Coast Mountains captures the pristine grandeur of British Columbia’s natural environment while highlighting the pressing issue of glacier retreat due to global warming.
Credit: Edward Burtynsky, Coast Mountains #3, The Black Tusk, British Columbia, Canada, 2023, photo © Edward Burtynsky, courtesy Paul Kuhn Gallery, Calgary / Nicholas Metivier Gallery, Toronto. audainartmuseum.com
An Exciting Scavenger Hunt! – Arting Around Whistler — Whistler
Until October
A scavenger hunt with her beloved child might be just the thing to get her out living it up! This thrilling quest will take you on a journey filled with laughs, excitement, and mind-boggling challenges as you uncover the hidden gems of a picturesque neighbourhood. From the iconic Olympic Rings to the mesmerizing Whistler Stone Art Statue, every step will bring you closer to discovering the secrets of this vibrant city. So grab your tickets now and get ready for an adventure like no other in this mesmerizing Canadian wonderland.
Credit: eventbrite.ca