ASIA & PACIFIC FOLK MASKS
September 28 to November 6
Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Classical Chinese Garden, 578 Carrall
Be sure to catch this incredible exhibit presented by the Canadian Society for Asian Art and curated by Sam Carter, Professor Emeritus, Emily Carr University of Art and Design. The folk masks collected during visits to the Americas, Northern and Southern Asia and Oceania were found mostly in shops, street-stalls and maker’s studios, and reflect a wealth of form, symbols, materials, dimensions and creative inventiveness. The exhibition provides a glimpse of the unlimited expression and beauty of Asia and Pacific masks and may contribute to the continuation of the traditional and the creation of new ones. View daily: 10am-430pm. For more information: 604-662-3207 or www.vancouverchinesegarden.com. Included with regular admission to the Garden.
BONES, BEADS AND DOLLS
October 6 to October 30
Carnegie 3rd floor Gallery, 401 Main
Closing Reception Sunday October 30, 1:30pm-2:30pm
A show of three artists with very different work but coming from a similar way of working: the beadwork of Ron Horsefall, Ron J. Ward’s spectacularly detailed Native regalia, and art dolls by Diane Wood.
After overcoming a drug and alcohol dependence and surviving residential school, Ron Horsefall started to string his life back together with beadwork and reconnected with his stolen culture. Sparked by the Carnegie Small Arts Grant program of 2009, he created a beadwork project dedicated to his niece, Lorraine Horsefall, who died of AIDS in 2006. Ron now calls himself an artist.
“Creating is a spiritual process for me and what comes out is a tapestry of my life. When I sit still and bead, “me” catches up with “me” — feelings from the past begin to flow and they go into each piece I create. As I continue to walk in and with the Light and to expand spiritually, my work expands along with me.”
Ron J. Ward was born in northern BC and is of Tlingit ancestry. When he was 5 years old, he was sent to residential school and what he learned was to value what you love to do. A self-taught artist, Ron’s success has been his ability to balance colours and mediums. In the 70s he attended Pow Wows and was inspired to make dancer’s regalia. Now he works in traditional and original forms with bone, bead, leather and feathers.
Diane Wood is a Downtown Eastside resident, artist, poet, community activist and gardener. In her most recent creations she draws from an early life-long fascination with Surrealism and Fellini films. The art dolls remind us that it’s never too late to have a happy childhood. View seven days a week. Free
YOUR STORY, MY STORY, OUR STORY James Cumming
October 17 to November 30
Pigeon Park Savings, 92 E. Hastings
A 100-year history of the Downtown Eastside painted on a large canvas by the late artist and community member James Cumming will be on display at Pigeon Park Savings. James was inspired to start the project in 2003 by the Carnegie Community Centre’s 100th anniversary and it took him eight years to complete the epic 25-foot-high by 12-foot-wide mural Your Story, My Story, Our Story. Sadly, James passed away earlier this year. It would please him greatly to know that his artwork was now on display in the community during the Heart of the City Festival, which over the years provided support to James and his mural project/dream. See a small colour reproduction of the mural on the back cover of this program guide. James’ compelling wish was that the mural would engage viewers in remembering their role in the history of our city, and encourage us to share our stories with our children and friends. Thanks to Sarah and Lifeskills for following through on James’ wishes. The bank is open to view the mural Monday to Thursday 11am-6pm, and Fridays 12pm-5pm.
Our apologies – we are not able to display James’ banner during the festival. When we got up the ladder, the canvas was larger than we thought. It is 25 feet high and 12 feet wide, which is larger than the space allowed. If you know of an indoor space where we can show a mural that size, please contact Sarah at Lifeskills 604-678- 8278. We apologize for any disappointment.
DOWNTOWN EASTSIDE HISTORIC HEART OF VANCOUVER Photographs by Louise Francis-Smith
October 19 to November 12
Radha Yoga, 728 Main 2nd floor
Local artist Louise Francis-Smith exhibits photographs of Strathcona as it looked thirty years ago captured before it fades from memory. The photographs reveal engaging accounts of Strathcona, including disrepair, decline and gentrification, and focuses on the architecture and the buildings. She also shows recent images of Chinatown from a series called ‘Up My Alley’, an intimate portrait that captures the spontaneous spirit of daily life. Louise’s work uncovers layers of complexities that exist in this historic heart of our city, our home. You can see some of her work here: www.louisefrancissmith.com. Viewing times at Radha Yoga Mon-Fri 11am-4:30pm or call 604-605-0011, www.radhavancouver.org. Free
AT OUR KITCHEN TABLE: The Oppenheimer Park
Community Art Show
October 21 to November 13
Gallery Gachet, 88 E. Cordova
Opening Reception – see Pre-Festival Friday October 21
The 4th Annual Oppenheimer Park Community Art Show, “At Our Kitchen Table” showcases artists from the vibrant and resilient community of Oppenheimer Park. See Pre-Festival for details. View Wed-Sun, 12pm-6pm. Information: 604-687-2468 or
www.gachet.org. Free
CARNEGIE PORTRAITS Wende L. Davis
November 2 to 30
Carnegie 3rd floor Gallery, 401 Main
Opening reception Thursday November 3, 5pm–7pm
In 2008 Wende Davis visited the Carnegie Centre on Fridays to make use of the drawing sessions and the models who were the visitors to the Centre. See Thurs Nov 3 for details.
MARAYA PROJECT
November 5 to December 17
Centre A, 2 W. Hastings
Opening Reception Friday November 4, 8pm
Maraya Project (from the Arabic m’raya for mirror or reflection) examines the surprising reappearance of Vancouver’s False Creek in the United Arab Emirates, as the Dubai Marina. Three Vancouver based interdisciplinary artists, M. Simon Levin, Glen Lowry and Henry Tsang, have spent five years researching the phenomenal movement of architects, urban planners and development between the two cities and have produced a new body of artworks.Centre A is organizing five free public talks and a walking tour to engage professional artists, architects and social activists from Vancouver and Dubai. Participants include one of Canada’s most prominent contemporary artists, Christos Dikeakos, Dubai-based cultural collaborator Hetal Pawani, sound artist Jean Routhier, cultural theorist Eugene McCann and Am Johal, SFU Community Engagement Office. Gallery hours Tue-Sat, 11am-6pm. For more information: www.centrea.org
CHINESE CANADIAN MILITARY MUSEUM
Permanent Exhibition
Chinese Cultural Centre Museum, 555 Columbia
The Chinese Canadian Military Museum can be found on the second floor of the Cultural Centre, and its exhibits range from the contributions and sacrifices of local Chinese Canadians to how their service as soldiers in the Canadian military spurred political and social change. Before WWII, many Chinese – both immigrated and Canadian-born – could not vote and were not considered Canadian citizens. Following the war, veterans led the successful fight for voting rights. The Museum exhibits a wide range of artifacts from period uniforms, medals and weaponry, and honours both past and present members of Canada’s Armed Forces and Navy. Regular hours Tues – Sun, 11am-5pm, admission $5.50, Tuesdays free