City of Richmond: Participate in public art projects during Culture Days

September 23, 2019

A community mural unveiling, performances, hands-on art activities and a community picnic are just some of the public art events taking place throughout Richmond over the Culture Days weekend from Friday, September 27 to Sunday, September 29.

Continuum mural

Richard Tetrault and Jerry Whitehead are the Vancouver-based artists that have created Continuum, the new mural at the Richmond Cultural Centre, 7700 Minoru Gate. Join Mayor Malcolm Brodie, the artists and other dignitaries at the official unveiling on Saturday, September 28. A Brazilian dance performance by Maira Daiha kicks off the event at 10:50 a.m., followed by speeches, the formal artwork “unveiling” and a mural tour with the artists at 11:45 a.m.

Continuum incorporates more than 20 stencils designed by community members, including designs commissioned from Indigenous artists. Other stencil designs incorporated in the mural celebrate the many activities that occur every day at the Cultural Centre, such as reading, pottery and music classes. Additional patterns showcase native plant and animal species found in Richmond. The colour palette for the mural references the four seasons and the artists used a complementary colour palette to paint all of the exterior building columns.

The mural, which covers approximately 1,000 linear feet of the Cultural Centre’s perimeter building fascia, is the first major public art mural commissioned as part of Richmond’s Community Mural Program. For more information on the program, visitwww.richmond.ca/culture/publicart/program/communitymural.

Minoru Manifesto project

After viewing Continuum, participants are invited to walk over to Minoru Chapel, 6540 Gilbert Road, and join artist Julie Hammond in a series of events that will celebrate the Minoru Manifesto project.

Attendees can take part in the following:

• Minoru Soundwalk – Saturday, September 28, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
• Interactive installation –  Saturday, September 28, 1 to 6 p.m. and Sunday, September 29, 1 to 4 p.m.
• Performance and picnic – Sunday, September 29, 2 to 4 p.m.

Minoru Manifesto began in April 2019 and took place at Minoru Chapel and City Centre Community Centre. The artist hosted a series of public events and workshops to explore the ideas associated with a “manifest”— such as an inventory of goods carried in a ship’s cargo or by an individual person—and “manifesto”—such as an individual’s public declaration of belief.

During Culture Days, members of the public are invited to add their own “manifests” to the interactive installation, share their beliefs out-loud on temporary speaking platforms, and enjoy Cantonese comedy from the Golden Happy Seniors Players, poetry from the City Centre Poetry Appreciation Group and ballroom dancing in the Minoru Chapel garden.

For more information on the Minoru Manifesto Culture Days events, visit www.minorumanifesto.blogspot.com.

The Interpreter Project

More hands-on public art activities will take place at an Open Studio on Sunday, September 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Richmond Nature Park, 11851 Westminster Highway, as part of The Interpreter Project by artist Wen Wen (Cherry) Lu.

During the months of June and July, park visitors explored a series of sensory workshops inspired by newts. In August, there was an outdoor interactive installation called Hidden Stories that was inspired by stories and illustrations created with visitors. The Interpreter Project provides a chance to slow down and focus on the silent wonders of the Richmond Nature Park through hands-on art activities and experiences.

At the Open Studio on the Sunday of Culture Days weekend, the public is invited to draw from the perspective of Newton the Newt, a small creature who cannot see or hear well. Drawing supplies will be provided. An illustrated book for Newton the Newt will be launched at The Interpreter Project exhibition on Saturday, October 12 in the Kinsmen Nature Park Pavilion. Artwork completed by community members and visitors will be on display.

For more information about The Interpreter Project, visit www.theinterpreterproject.weebly.com.

Minoru Manifesto and The Interpreter Project are Artist-in-Residence opportunities commissioned through the City’s Public Art Engaging Artists in Community Program.

For a full schedule and details about Culture Days events, visit www.culturedays.ca. Download the Richmond Culture Days program guide at www.richmond.ca/culturedays.

NT5