Large Panel Carving Project Engages Kensington Community

December 14, 2006 (No. 92) - This week saw the official unveiling of a 6 by 14 foot yellow cedar panel carved by members of the Kensington community under the direction of artist Doug Baker, Sapeluk, of the Squamish Nation. The project, which took more than 450 volunteer hours to complete, was made possible through the Park Board's Neighbourhood Matching Fund and the support of the Kensington Community Centre Association.

The project was set up in the community centre lobby over a period of several months, allowing people coming and going to the centre, local youth and students from the nearby elementary school to watch and get involved. One patron, who happened to walk by, spent about 70 hours on the project, while a local youth contributed over 15 hours of carving.

The intent of the project was to provide a means to connect a broad and diverse representation of the community through the creative process of making art together. The design of the panels - raven, the sun, eagle, fox, and families of bears, salmon and whale - symbolize the concepts of strength, community, transformation, health and longevity.

The Neighbourhood Matching Fund is a program providing support for projects involving people in a way that promotes the development of community and builds neighbourhood connections. It provides funds to groups who want to improve and develop parks and facilities on park land. Donations of time, money and/or materials, equal to the amount requested from the Neighbourhood Matching Fund must be provided by the community.

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For more information contact Carol DeFina, Communication Coordinator, at 604-257-8440
www.vancouverparks.ca

The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation maintains 200 parks and 40 major facilities throughout the City of Vancouver. The Park Board's mission is to provide, preserve and advocate for parks and recreation services to benefit people, communities and the environment.

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