The second annual Lantern Festival art exhibit promises to be bigger and possibly even better than last year.

Organizers are infusing music and food to the Saturday (Feb. 23) exhibit at Douglas Recreation Centre, to give it a true festival-type feel.

The free community celebration, put on by the Langley Arts Council (LAC) in partnership with the City of Langley, runs from 6-8 p.m. at the centre, 20550 Douglas Cres.

"Last year we didn't have the cultural food or entertainment. so this year we're having all three of those aspects of the festival," said LAC president Rosemary Wallace, who is one of the organizers. "We're making it more of a festival, rather than just a lantern display."

The multicultural event highlights the month of the Lunar New Year for many Asian cultures, while providing the public with the chance to view a large temporary public art display.

This display is a community effort. The lanterns were painted by members of the LAC, residents from Harrison Pointe seniors residence, pre-school students, and Langley Secondary and Blacklock Elementary students.

"We've been inclusive of all age groups," Wallace said.

Last year, the exhibit's first annual, about 150 lanterns were on display at the centre.

Wallace expects the same number of lanterns adorning the centre this year, as well as a few umbrellas.

Leading up to the festival, LAC hosted workshops, led by professional artists in the community who assisted people with painting their own lanterns.

The workshops were for youth and adults, and families.

The 2013 event is building on momentum from last year's festival, which LAC executive director Don Shilton called "a lot of fun."

"We [had] politicians out painting, and dignitaries," Shilton said.

Wallace is inviting all members of the public to visit the festival.

For more about the lantern festival, email: events@langleycity.ca or phone: 604-514-2902

LAC GALLERY OPEN

The local arts council's gallery, located at the old Coast Capital Savings building at 20550 Fraser Hwy., has added a "nice dimension" to the downtown core, Wallace said.

"It's cleaned up this area," Wallace said.

The gallery offers two floors of artwork, ranging from painting, mixed media, and photography, to a series of horse statues painted by commissioned artists.

There is also a small stage set up near the front window of the gallery, where musicians can perform.

"It's kind of an impromptu theatre," Shilton said.

For Youth Week the first week of May, the LAC plans on hosting a youth art show and coffeehouse, which will utilize the stage.

tlandreville@langleyadvance.com