In celebration of Earth Day, Douglas College has installed three oil paintings gifted by international climate artist and sculptor K.A. Colorado at the New Westminster Campus Library. The paintings were officially unveiled to the community at a special reception this afternoon.
K.A. Colorado’s work explores climate and environmental concerns, with a focus on melting glaciers and polar ice. The triptych gifted to Douglas College was completed this year and depicts the impact of climate change on glacial ice and reflects the fragility and beauty of our global ecosystems.
"It is my wish to give visual support to the students, faculty, staff and visitors to help educate and inform about the climate change issue so critical to the world and now, more than ever, so critical to Canada,” said Colorado. “I have created the paintings as part of my efforts to address these environmental concerns, and I hope that these artworks will speak to the viewer in a direct and profound manner.”
The unveiling event underscored the College’s commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness. Douglas College community members gathered to celebrate the new installation, which serves as a poignant reminder of the role education and the arts play in addressing global challenges.
“This remarkable donation by K.A. Colorado aligns with Douglas College’s mission to foster critical thinking and social responsibility,” said Dr. Kathy Denton, President and CEO of Douglas College. “Art has the ability to move us, to challenge us and to deepen our understanding of the world around us. We are honoured to house these powerful works, and we hope they will spark important conversations for years to come.”
The paintings, titled Retreat • Glacier • Ablation, are now a permanent feature of the New Westminster Campus Library, where they are accessible to students, employees and the public, offering a lasting tribute to environmental stewardship and artistic expression.
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Contact
Aline Bouwman
Communications Officer
bouwmana@douglascollege.ca
About Douglas College
Douglas College is the largest college in B.C., combining the academic foundations of a university and the employer-ready skills of a college to graduate resilient global citizens who adapt, innovate and lead in a changing world.
Douglas College respectfully acknowledges that our campuses are located on the unceded traditional and ancestral lands of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the territories of the q̓íc̓əy̓ (Katzie), qʼʷa:n̓ƛʼən̓ (Kwantlen), kʷikʷəƛ̓əm (Kwikwetlem), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), qiqéyt (Qayqayt), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), scəw̓aθən (Tsawwassen) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Peoples.
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