The Art of Neighbourhoods
Sunset

Welcome Walkway: Mosaics and Banners (2001)

Project Site: Moberly Arts & Cultural Centre, 7646 Prince Albert Street; main entrance

Artists/Facilitators: Glen Andersen, Marina Szijarto Design: Marina Szijarto

Changes in the neighbourhood around Sunset Community Centre led to a movement in 1997 to transform the once bustling but then underused Moberly Hall into a neighbourhood arts and cultural centre. To signal this change, a new entrance walkway was proposed. Artist Marina Szijarto designed a pathway of mosaics and banners. She and Glen Andersen involved neighbourhood residents and school children in making the mosaics and contributing banner imagery. The mosaics around the walkway feature bright paisley patterns, while the seasonal banners use colorful graphics. Both reflect neighbourhood activities and the community's diverse cultural heritage.

Imprints (1999)

Project Site: Sunset Community Centre, 404 E. 51st Avenue; entrance stairway and plaza

Artists/Facilitators: Nancy Chew, Jacqueline Metz

To create the textured concrete "Imprints", artists Jacqueline Metz and Nancy Chew worked with different groups in the culturally diverse communities of south Vancouver, Their focus on traditional decorative arts can be seen in subtle designs derived from South Asian, Asian and European traditions, which reflect the current rich cultural mix of the neighbourhood. To arrive at their designs, the artists found intriguing ways to initiate discussions. For instance, they held a tea party, where seniors from the Sunbright Dance Club and the bingo club came together to drink tea and paint tea cups, in the Chinese and European traditions. The cups were exchanged, and became a tangible reminder of cross-cultural discussions.

Victoria Drive Banners (1999)

Project Site: Along Victoria Drive between 39th and 49th Avenues

Artists/Facilitators: Sima Elizabeth Shefrin, Yvonne Clements

Coordinator: Karen Larcombe

Sponsored by the South Vancouver Neighbourhood House and Victoria Drive Business Association, a banner project was developed in 1999 for south Victoria Drive to provide a stronger neighbourhood look and feel to this local commercial area. Artists Sima Elizabeth Shefrin and Yvonne Clements led workshops with a wide range of community groups, including students and seniors, to develop designs for individual banners. The banners feature recognizable images of home and family from various cultures. Using an applique technique, the banners are sewn in bold shapes and bright colours. They hang in pairs along both sides of Victoria between 39th and 49th Avenues, providing decorative highlights against the backdrop of local businesses and shops.

Go to:

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

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

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