Arts & Culture
Participate in public art projects during Culture Days
Published 4:29 PDT, Tue September 24, 2019
Last Updated: 2:13 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021
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A Brazilian dance by Maira Diaha will help kick off the unveiling of Continuum Saturday at Minoru Park.
Mayor Malcolm Brodie will officially introduce artists Richard Tetrault and Jerry Whitehead, the Vancouver-based artists who created the artwork, at a public ceremony beginning at 10:50 a.m. outside the Richmond Cultural Centre at 7700 Minoru Gate. A mural tour starting at 11:45 a.m. will follow.
Continuum incorporates more than 20 stencils designed by community members, including those commissioned from Indigenous artists. Other designs celebrate the many every day activities at the centre such as reading, pottery and music classes. Patterns showing native plant and animal species found in Richmond are also included. The colour palette references the four seasons, and the artists used a complementary colour palette to paint all the exterior building columns.
The mural covers about 1,000 linear feet of the centre’s perimeter building fascia. It is the first major public art mural commissioned as part of Richmond's Community Mural Program.
After viewing Continuum, walk over to Minoru Chapel at 6540 Gilbert Rd. to join artist Julie Hammond in a series of events to celebrate the Minoru Manifesto project. These include:
• Minoru Soundwalk (Saturday, from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.)
• Interactive installation (Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m.)
• Performance and picnic (Sunday, 2 to 4 p.m.)
Minoru Manifesto began in April 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.
More hands-on public art activities will take place at an Open Studio on Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Richmond Nature Park, 11851 Westminster Hwy., as part of The Interpreter Project by artist Wen Wen (Cherry) Lu.
During 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 Sunday, 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 a full schedule of Culture Days events, visit www.culturedays.ca.