The Art of Neighbourhoods
Downtown Eastside

Memorial Totem Pole (1997)

Project Site: Oppenheimer Park, bounded by Powell and Cordova, Dunlevy and Jackson

Artists: Paul Auger, Kim Washburn, Dick Baker, Cal Matilpi, Alec Weir

Coordinator: Steve Johnson

This memorial totem pole was created to honour the memory of lives that otherwise may have gone unrecorded. Operating under the auspices of Carnegie Centre, organizer Steve Johnson drew on a wide base of neighbourhood support to develop a project with related workshops in traditional carving, beading and painting. By taking the workshops and participating in the on-site carving with a master carver, neighbourhood residents created a sense of pride and common purpose. The completed pole stands in the southeast area of the park, providing a symbol of remembrance and a monument of great beauty for residents and those who pass through the neighbourhood today.

Footprints (2001)

Project Site: Throughout the Downtown Eastside. For further information, consult the guide book, which can be picked up at the the Carnegie Centre Information Desk.

Artistic Director, Banner Program: Anne Marie Slater

Artistic Director, Mosaic Program: Marina Szijarto

Artists: Pat Beaton, Taki Bluesinger, Joe Bolton, Jane Cameron, Jacquie Dionne, France Guerin, Dan Hill, Katie Johnson, Des Media, Anthony Sobala, Candace Wagman, Bruce Walther, Gweny Wong, Debra Yelva

The Carnegie Community Association through the Carnegie Street Program initiated "The Footprints Community Art Project" and "Old Vancouver Town-site Walking Tour". Funding was found through street beautification and community development work-based training programs from Western Economic Diversification Canada. Artists were hired to direct the conceptual development and production of mosaic and banner markers and a guide book that together capture historic events, natural history and cultural stories from the rich history of the Downtown Eastside. Artists worked with participants from the Carnegie Street Program in a storefront studio over a six week period to research, design and produce 17 mosaic markers and 100 banners that mark the Old Vancouver Townsite.

Also on site:

Memorial Bench (2001)

In Oppenheimer Park, on a small hill overlooking the playground, community volunteers have created a memorial bench, inspired by the memory of a fellow volunteer and others who have committed time and energy to the Downtown Eastside.

Go to:

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

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

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