Who We Are

The South Delta Artists Guild is a nonprofit visual arts organization that has been championing local artists and building creative community since 1975. Based out of Gallery 1710 in Tsawwassen, we welcome artists from across the Lower Mainland; including many from Surrey and the surrounding communities; into a supportive environment where creative growth happens through exhibition, connection, and shared opportunity. Our programming includes monthly member exhibitions, juried shows, workshops, artist demos, life drawing sessions, plein air painting, and a wide range of community art events. Whether you’re a Surrey-based artist searching for a place to exhibit, or simply someone who appreciates original art, there’s a place for you here. Find out more about the Guild and how we got started.

A Legacy Rooted in Community

When a small circle of local artists came together in 1975 to establish the Guild, the goal was straightforward: create a place where visual artists could support one another, exhibit their work, and contribute to the cultural life of the region. That mission hasn’t changed, but the Guild has grown considerably. Membership now spans the Lower Mainland, with artists travelling in from Surrey, Langley, Richmond, and beyond to be part of what we’ve built. In 1999, we partnered with the City of Delta and took over the Kiwanis Longhouse, a beautifully designed 1973 building inspired by Coast Salish Longhouse traditions in tribute to the Tsawwassen First Nations. Renovated and renamed Gallery 1710, the space has hosted hundreds of exhibitions since.

Our Guiding Principles

Respect for every artist: The Guild is built on the idea that every artist’s voice matters, whether they’re an emerging beginner or a working professional with decades of exhibitions behind them.

Integrity in everything: As a volunteer-run nonprofit, we hold ourselves accountable to our members, donors, and the public. Transparency isn’t a buzzword here; it’s how we operate.

Inclusivity by design: Artists from every background, medium, style, and walk of life are welcomed as equal participants in the Guild. Creativity doesn’t discriminate, and neither do we.

Commitment to artistic growth: Workshops, demos, mentorship, and exhibition opportunities exist because we believe artists thrive when they’re surrounded by people who support their development.

What Guild Membership Looks Like

• Monthly Member Exhibitions: Every member has the chance to exhibit in our monthly shows, which rotate featured works across 2D and 3D mediums; paintings, drawings, prints, sculpture, textiles, and beyond
• Off-Site Community Shows: Rotating displays at external partner locations such as Delta Hospital and Tsawwassen Library extend your visibility beyond the gallery itself
• Life Drawing & Open Studio: Dedicated weekly time for life drawing sessions and drop-in studio use, giving members a regular creative routine and a chance to work alongside peers
• Workshops & Hands-On Demos: Learn directly from experienced artists through skill-building workshops and technique demonstrations across a range of disciplines
• Weekly Plein Air Outings: Regular outdoor painting sessions for members who enjoy capturing landscapes, seascapes, and architecture en plein air
• Juried Exhibitions & Themed Shows: Special shows that offer recognition, challenge, and the chance to be part of something curated with intention
• Peer Support & Mentorship: A network of artists who share feedback, trade techniques, and help each other grow through formal and informal mentorship
• Genuine Belonging: More than programming; the Guild is a place where lifelong friendships and creative partnerships are made

Open to Surrey’s Creative Community

Surrey is home to a remarkably diverse and growing arts community, and the Guild has long counted Surrey residents among our members. The drive from neighbourhoods like South Surrey, Cloverdale, Newton, or Fleetwood to Gallery 1710 in Tsawwassen is an easy one, and many Surrey artists tell us that what they find here is something they couldn’t easily replicate closer to home; a guild with over four decades of history, a dedicated gallery space, and a membership that actively participates in exhibitions, education, and community building. Surrey artists are welcome to exhibit, join our workshops, attend drop-in sessions, and become part of the Guild’s broader mission. Surrey art lovers are equally welcome to visit Gallery 1710 and browse original work from across the region.

Inside Gallery 1710

Our gallery is a compact, character-filled space tucked into the Kiwanis Longhouse just a few minutes from the Tsawwassen ferry terminal. Admission is always free, and every month brings a completely new exhibition featuring up to 100 pieces from our members. The range of work on display is wider than most visitors expect: contemporary abstracts next to traditional landscapes, intricate textile art beside bold sculpture, watercolours, oils, mixed media, and more. Affordable options are always available, as are art cards, prints, and Guild calendars. Open hours are Fridays through Sundays, 12 to 4 p.m., with extended hours occasionally for receptions and special events. Volunteer docents are on site during every session, ready to chat about the artwork, share information on the artists, or help complete a purchase. Check out the current exhibition here.

Interested in Joining?

If you’re a visual artist anywhere in the Lower Mainland; Surrey included; and you’re looking for a genuine arts community to be part of, we’d love to hear from you. The Guild is member-powered, which means everyone pitches in: docent shifts, committee work, event support, and whatever else keeps the Guild running smoothly. That involvement is what makes membership feel meaningful rather than transactional. Artists come for the exhibition opportunities and stay for the friendships, the shared learning, and the feeling of being part of something bigger than any one studio. Read more about membership and how to apply.

Connect With Us

Have a question about membership, exhibitions, or visiting the gallery? Drop into Gallery 1710 during open hours, give us a call, or reach out through our website and we’ll respond as soon as we can.

Phone: (604) 943-3313

Gallery Address: 1710 56th Street, Tsawwassen, BC V4L 2B1

Gallery Hours: Fridays, Saturdays & Sundays, 12 – 4 p.m.

Website: southdeltaartistsguild.com

Nonprofit Arts Organization Since 1975 • Home of Gallery 1710 • Member Artists from Across Surrey & the Lower Mainland