The Art of Neighbourhoods
Dunbar

Trafalgar Tile Wall (1998)

Project Site: Trafalgar Elementary School, 4170 Trafalgar Street; west-facing exterior wall

Artist/Facilitator: Alison Diesvelt

"Our Trafalgar Tile Wall (is) a visible artistic symbol of the recognition by the school community of the ethnic diversity of the present student body as well as an acknowledgment of the cultural history of the past 50 years." Artist Alison Diesvelt worked with students, teachers and parents to create the ribbon of tiles which adorns the west face of the school building. The community was fortunate that the school secretary, Mrs. Ida Zilio, has been with the school since 1953 and therefore could act as a primary source of historical information for the project. The artist worked with the children to create tiles with images symbolic of their cultural backgrounds. These tiles are installed as an undulating ribbon punctuated with text tiles that relate significant events in the school community's history.

Glass Tile Wall (1996)

Project Site: Dunbar Community Centre, 4747 Dunbar Street; lobby

Artist/Facilitator: Miyuki Shinkai

In 1996, artist Miyuki Shinkai worked with members of the community in Dunbar on the "Glass Tile Wall" project. Learning to paint their own portraits or image choices on glass made the project accessible and appealing to a wide range of neighbourhood participants, from pre-schoolers to seniors. Using this simple format, the artist fired the tiles, then assembled them into a mural in a grid pattern, with space around each of the 300 tiles. Seen together, the images on the tiles reflect everyday life, each tile set like a shiny "square" in a firm "quilt".

Also on site:

Anniversary Banners (1994)

Thirty-nine silk banners, created in celebration of the Centre's 40th anniversary, festoon the skylit entrance. Local artist Lorna Menzies worked with people of all ages, and each person was asked to paint what it meant to be part of the Dunbar community centre and the community at large. April 14, 2009 9:02 AM

Salmon Wall (1995)

Project Site: Southlands Elementary School, 5351 Camosun Street; near main entrance

Artists/Facilitators: Alison Diesvelt, Debra Sparrow

The Salmon Wall was created as a means of fostering understanding between the Musqueam and Southlands communities. It was also envisioned as a process to encourage respect for the Musqueam people and their traditions in the non-Native community. The project was initiated by artist Alison Diesvelt who, together with the Southlands principal, identified Musqueam artist Debra Sparrow as a partner. Sparrow creates traditional weavings and indicated that she was interested in working on the community art piece. Out of community consultations and workshops, a mural was created with colours and patterns drawn from Musqueam visual traditions. Many community members participated in painting the school of salmon along the south wall near the main entrance and a community salmon barbecue was held to celebrate its completion.

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
Downtown Eastside	Sunset
Grandview-Woodlands	West End
Kensington/Cedar Cottage	West Point Grey & Kitsilano
Marpole

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