The Art of Neighbourhoods
Champlain Heights

Country Living in the City (2000)

Project Site: Champlain Heights Community Centre, 3350 Maquinna Drive; entrance foyer and lounge area

Artist/Facilitator: Andrew Currie

In 2000, artist Andrew Currie developed a mural project with Champlain Heights Community Centre to explore the community's locale, past, present and future. Working with several community groups affiliated with the centre and neighbourhood schools, the design and concept for the mural took shape over two months of classes and workshops. "Country Living in the City" became the project's theme. Cut into puzzle-like pieces, the mural panels were painted by neighbourhood children, seniors, centre staff, and other groups. The puzzle shapes suggest connections amongst community members, while the images of the mural show "the southeast corner of Vancouver, which until the late 1960's and early 70's, was the remaining rural region in an ever-expanding urban setting. "

The Discovery Project:
Community Markers (1995-97)

Project Sites: Southeast Vancouver; street poles. A list of locations is available from: Champlain Heights Public Library, 3200 E. 54th Avenue; Collingwood Public Library, 2985 Kingsway; Fraserview Public Library, 1950 Argyle; South Hill Public Library, 6076 Fraser Street

Artist/Facilitator: Celine Rich

Coordinator: Caroline Moore

During the Discovery Project, artist Celine Rich and community activist Caroline Moore envisioned processes through which community members could create landmarks celebrating the unique cultural make-up and history of southeast Vancouver. One component of this project (which also included painted bus shelters and sidewalk inlays by Everett Crowley Park), was a process during which high school students interviewed seniors about their memories and experiences in the neighbourhood. Further historical research was compiled and a book "Collected Memories: a guide to Community Markers of Southeast Vancouver" filled with anecdotes and historical memorabilia was published. 138 stainless steel plaques were then engraved with excerpts from the text and attached to street poles throughout the area.

Hands Across the Heights (1997)

Project Sites: Locations include the corner of Kingsway and Rupert, 54th Avenue and Kerr, and along Fraser and Victoria between 43rd and 49th Avenues

Artist/Facilitator: Jacqui Berglund

Artist Jacqui Berglund worked with various groups in Southeast Vancouver to "transform the mundane into the extraordinary". Groups ranging from school children and neighbourhood youth to local business association members came together to create mosaics from broken ceramic shards. These mosaics were then fastened to the exterior surfaces of concrete trash cans on busy neighbourhood streets.

Go to:

Introduction to the Art of Neighbourhoods
Listing of Projects by Neighbourhood and Map
Contact Information

Douglas Park	Mount Pleasant/Riley Park
Downtown Eastside	Strathcona & Hastings/Sunrise
Dunbar	Sunset
Grandview-Woodlands	West End
Kensington/Cedar Cottage	West Point Grey & Kitsilano
Marpole

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