Every year artists at the Fort Gallery assemble a group show, and today marks the official opening of their latest exhibit.

This year, members of the artists cooperative have collaborated on a show called Winter Solstice, and it runs until Feb. 4, said gallery manager Margaret Campbell.

鈥淪ince ancient times, people from all cultures around the world have recognized and celebrated the astronomical event we have come to call the Winter Solitice 鈥� the shortest day of the year, marking the 鈥榬eturn鈥� of the sun,鈥� Campbell elaborated.

Fort Gallery is holding its opening art reception tonight (Thursday, Dec. 14), in conjunction with the gallery鈥檚 First Thursday 鈥� these are monthly events that showcases a variety of visual, written, poetic, and musical artists.

Tonight鈥檚 event, running from 7 to 9 p.m., and will feature the new art exhibit, as well as the musical styling of Kwantlen Polytechnic University teacher and award-winning percussionist Dr. Daniel Tones.

Tones is recognized for his work as a soloist and chamber musician.

He has performed with internationally recognized artists Bob Becker, Aiyun Huang, Morris Palter, and Steve Schick, and has been broadcast nationally on radio and television.

He studied with Salvador Ferreras, Russell Hartenberger, and John Rudolph, and was the first person to receive a doctorate in percussion performance from a Canadian university.

The gallery is at 9048 Glover Rd. in Fort 91原创.

The will be closed from Dec. 23 to Jan. 7.