Art at Strathcona Community Centre
Cycles Mural - Bracken Hanuse Corlett, Kelsey Sparrow, Atheana Picha & Ocean Hyland
Through this mural project, respected artists and cultural vision holders have communicated sense of historical place, respect for Indigenous symbolism and the opportunity to connect Strathcona history to present cultural identity for every child in our community. This mural begins a conversation of transformation connecting cycles - in salmon, in seasons - and how Indigenous People on the Coast have interacted with the elements in these cycles. The transformation metaphor is meant to inspire youth and offer a visual symbol of hope, challenge and change. This unique partnership comes together in acknowledgement that local Indigenous peoples have thousands of years of living history at the Strathcona School site. Today children and youth are supported by a community safety net consisting of childcare, education and community programs that support health and well-being. All partners understand that authentic service to community means living in the truth of the colonial harm institutions have inflicted on Indigenous peoples and in the knowledge that these unceded territories of the Tsleil Waututh, Squamish, and Musqueam peoples has never been reconciled.
We would like to thank the artists and their painting team for gifting this beautiful work of art to our community.
Acknowledgements: Mural Artists: Bracken Hanuse Corlett, Ocean Hyland, Atheana Picha and Kelsey Sparrow. Strathcona Community Centre Association worked in partnership with the Vancouver School Board, with support from the Park Board Youth Programs and Decolonization Arts and Culture Dept.
Made possible by the generous support of DTES Plan Matching Grant, Communities and Artists Shifting Culture Grant (COV) and Park Board Decolonization Arts and Culture Department.
We Take Care of Each Other Mural - Anne Marie Slater, Scott Chan & Coleman Webb
The image for the mural was derived directly from children in a series of workshops led by lead artist, photographer, Anne Marie Slater. Two hundred children were given cameras and participated in a World Café, an idea think tank. Then with mural artist Scott Chan and Coleman Webb from Kid’s at Heart Collective, more workshops engaged children in identifying the symbols of the place they live, the community of Strathcona School and the Strathcona Community Centre. Photographs include seniors from the Tai Chi class who consulted on the sun pose and children who drew and specified special things they wanted: more trees in the neighbourhood, the eagles that look over the school on Pender Street, water, the urban street, and the dragon that historically has been a symbol of the school since its early history as “Strath” is the oldest school in Vancouver (established in 1891). The mural is a story of children’s voices that speak of this special place: their community.
Acknowledgements: Artist in Residence, Lead Concept Artist, Photographer: Anne Marie Slater. Mural Artists: Scott Chan, Coleman Webb. Project Teacher: Diana Duncan. A big thanks to all the teachers and staff of Strathcona School and the Strathcona Community Centre.
Founding Partners: Strathcona Community School, Strathcona Community Centre Association, AMSix Productions.
Made possible by the generous support of The City of Vancouver – Great Beginnings, Port Metro Vancouver, ArtStarts, BC Arts Council, John Fluevog, BC 150, Telus Vancouver Community Board, Princess Avenue Alliance Founding members: Union Gospel Mission, City of Vancouver Planning, Strathcona BIA, Stathcona Community School, Strathcona Community Centre Association, PHS Community Services Society, BC Housing, Port Metro Vancouver, AMSix Productions, Vancouver Coastal Health, Heart of the City Festival. And a thumbs up to the City of Vancouver Engineering, Streets Division, and the many children, community members, and parents whose engagement furthers a space for the voice of children and their dreams in the public realm.