This Sunday, step into the vibrant world of Latin American printmaking as Hijas del Sol—a dynamic collective of Latin American women artists—invites you to roll up your sleeves and get creative at their hands-on Monotype Collagraph / Relief Print Workshop.

Hosted at the Anvil Centre’s sunny fourth-floor studio, this unique art session is led by artists Priscila Holtz, Natalia Botero, Damarys Sepulveda, and Mónica Moscoso, whose shared passion for texture, culture, and community transforms printmaking into a collective storytelling experience.

Whether you’re a curious beginner or a seasoned art lover, you’ll learn how to:

Build a simple single-colour collagraph/relief plate
Create a basic registration system for accurate prints
Apply ink using hand-pressure techniques (no press required!)
Produce your small edition of prints (you’ll make 3!)
Sign, number, and date your artwork—just like the pros

This drop-in-style workshop is free and open to all ages, but space is limited, so come early to grab your spot!

🎨 Details at a Glance:
📅 Date: Sunday, April 13, 2025
🕑 Time: 2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
📍 Location: Studio Room 411, 4th Floor, Anvil Centre, 777 Columbia St., New Westminster
🎟️ Cost: Free (no registration required)

Come connect, create, and celebrate art with Hijas del Sol and Arts New West. All materials are provided—just bring your imagination, and let your creativity take shape in print.

🎞️ New West Film Fest Returns for 15th Year with Submissions Now Open 📽️

The International New West Film Fest is gearing up for its 15th annual celebration of cinema, set to take place from Friday, October 24 to Sunday, October 26, 2025, at the Landmark Cinemas in New Westminster, British Columbia. Film submissions are now officially open and will be accepted through June 30, 2025.

Originally launched in 2011 as the New West Doc Fest, the event has since expanded in both scope and spirit, welcoming all genres of filmmaking. Organized entirely by volunteers, the festival continues to spotlight emerging and underrepresented voices in film, with a particular emphasis on uplifting Indigenous stories and creators as part of the New West Film Society’s ongoing commitment to Truth and Reconciliation.

The centrally located venue, just steps from the New Westminster SkyTrain station, draws film lovers from the Tri-Cities, Surrey, Vancouver, and across the Lower Mainland. Over three packed days, audiences can expect a curated selection of narrative features, shorts, documentaries, and animated works from both local and international creators.

Eligible submissions must have been completed after January 1, 2024. Non-English language films must include embedded English subtitles. Films are divided into six categories: narrative feature, narrative short, documentary feature, documentary short, animated feature, and animated short. Short films must be under 30 minutes, while features should run between 60 and 120 minutes.

Submission fees vary depending on when filmmakers apply. Early bird pricing is available until April 30, with rates increasing in May and again in June. Selected films will be announced on August 5, 2025. All screenings will take place at the Landmark Cinema, with post-screening Q&A sessions available for attending filmmakers.

Submissions can be made via the festival’s official FilmFreeway Here

⛈️ Rain Joke of the Day 🌧️

What did one rain cloud say to the other? 🌧️🗣️ 🌧️

“You’re the drizzle to my day!”

Groan O' Meter

What do you say?

Meme of the Day

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Ink, Texture & Storytelling + Film Fest Submissions Open

Issue #198

Inside the New West Spotlight

Read New West Spotlight Online

April 11, 2025

April 12, 2025

April 13, 2025

🎨 Ink, Texture & Storytelling with Hijas del Sol