ARTS 2026 exhibit spotlights local artists at Surrey Art Gallery
A KPU alumnus is among the artists featured in the annual exhibit, organized by the Arts Council of Surrey
KPU general studies graduate Mahaveer Singh has a photo featured in the exhibit. (Submitted)
Editor’s note: Mahaveer Singh, who was interviewed for this article, is a contributor for The Runner. The Runner acknowledges this and has taken steps to prevent conflicts of interest or potential bias from influencing the article.
Mahaveer Singh took a photo with his mirrorless Sony camera while walking on a sunny day in Vancouver’s Gastown neighbourhood in 2024.
He’d go on to submit this photo, along with two other pieces, for the annual open-juried ARTS 2026 exhibition, organized by the Arts Council of Surrey, and was eventually selected.
Along with works from other artists, Singh’s Gastown photo, entitled “Suntown,” is on display at the Surrey Art Gallery until Aug. 1.
This year’s ARTS 2026 exhibit features artworks across five categories: painting; drawing, printmaking, and mixed media on paper; sculpture and fiber art; photography; and digital, performative, and new media art.
Arts Council of Surrey Vice-President Maxine Howchin says there were a total of 236 submissions this year — and around 50 were selected.
“You don’t realize how much art is all around you until you do things like this,” Howchin says. “These are emerging artists who bring [their work] out to our community — and it enhances our community in a huge way.”
She adds that attending the exhibition gives an opportunity for artists to showcase their works and show the importance of art.
Singh, who graduated from Kwantlen Polytechnic University’s general studies program and took many classes in fine arts, says it was a big moment for him to have his piece featured in a gallery.
“I have never been in an exhibition before. I really used to wonder how people get their solo exhibitions, and this is done, so it’s a really great push for me,” Singh says.
The photo went through photo processing, where Singh worked on decomposition, adding bits of red and yellow tones to make the sun appear closer in the picture, Singh says.
This is part of Singh’s style. Although the medium he takes photos with is modern, he uses Photoshop afterwards to give his images a 1960s and 1970s look.
“I’m trying to do film photography through my digital medium, because that’s how it would have looked if it was clipped a few decades ago,” Singh says.
Most of the time, he explores architectural and automobile themes, while also trying to capture antique elements.
“I would go to parts of the city, especially in Vancouver and around Metro Vancouver, to click pictures of things which have age in them,” Singh says, adding he looks for old buildings, cars, and streets that have stories to tell.
While at KPU, Singh took fine arts courses covering photography, digital production, and sculpture, among other mediums.
Film photography was one of the courses Singh was particularly passionate about. He got to learn how to use film cameras and chemically process the photos.
Singh says many peers and instructors at KPU encouraged him and appreciated his work.
“KPU has been a very good ecosystem, which helped me get where I am right now,” Singh says.
He hopes his work inspires people to keep going, pursue what they love, and remain true to their own art form. His biggest inspiration throughout his own journey was his grandfather, Darshan Singh Tatla, an author and professor.
“I personally don’t hold any big institutional qualification in arts [and] in photography, particularly. But then one thing which I’m really proud of is that I have been consistently doing street and film photography for the last 15 years since I was in school,” Singh says.
The Surrey Art Gallery will host a Thursday Artist Talk on June 4, where local artists featured in the exhibit will share more about their work. Afterwards, visitors can vote on a People’s Choice Award.
