Surrey Photography Club turns 20, open house May 9 in Newton<\/p>\n
Published 11:00 am Friday, May 1, 2026<\/p>\n
An open house celebrating the 20th anniversary of Surrey Photography Club is happening at Newton Cultural Centre on Saturday, May 9.<\/p>\n
The drop-in afternoon event will showcase 15 to 20 prints and a looped slide show with hundreds of images captured by club members.<\/p>\n
Launched in April 2006, the club welcomes both professional and amateur photographers, said John Kalley, president.<\/p>\n
\u201cNo matter if you are a beginner or a published expert, you will find a place in our club,\u201d he told the Now-Leader. \u201cOur members are interested in just about every type of photography, and you\u2019ll undoubtedly find many who share your passion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Now numbering 33, members meet at Newton Cultural Centre every second and fourth Monday of the month, 7 to 9 p.m.<\/p>\n
The inaugural Surrey Photography Club meeting took place at Guildford Library 20 years ago. Sheena Wilkie, a professional photographer, saw that many communities around the Lower Mainland had thriving photography clubs, but not Surrey.<\/p>\n
\u201cShe felt that with the large and growing population, there was ample scope to have a club of our own, and started the ball rolling to correct the deficiency,\u201d Kalley noted.<\/p>\n
Responding to an ad in the Surrey Leader, more than 80 people attended that first club meeting.<\/p>\n
\u201cInitially, our regular meetings took place at the Canadian Legion in Whalley and then at St. Helen\u2019s Anglican Church on 128 Street and 108 Avenue. Sheena has moved on to other pursuits, but the foundation was laid, and the executive is working hard to ensure we meet the needs of the photographic community in Surrey.\u201d<\/p>\n
Wilke plans to attend the May 9 open house along with Kalley, city officials and Arts Council of Surrey reps, 1 to 5 p.m. at 13530 72nd Ave., Surrey.<\/p>\n
Surrey Photography Club goals are to promote the art of photography and help people learn and enjoy their photography. Activities include showing and critiquing member images, workshops, guest speakers, competitions, prize sponsorship, exhibitions and more.<\/p>\n
\u201cClub members have worked with local charities and non-profit organizations and have successfully participated in local, national and international competitions,\u201d Kalley noted.<\/p>\n