Arts & Culture

Four new community art projects support the city’s #RichmondHasHeart campaign throughout the summer, including “Dearest” by Keely O’Brien.

Photo courtesy City of Richmond

Public art supports #RichmondHasHeart campaign

By Hannah Scott, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

Published 2:37 PDT, Wed June 10, 2020

Last Updated: 2:13 PDT, Wed May 12, 2021

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Four new artist-initiated projects will strengthen the #RichmondHasHeart campaign.

The projects will explore meaningful ways to find community connection while maintaining physical distancing requirements during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The projects, which will be presented from now until September, are funded via developer contributions to the Community Public Art Program. They aim to promote mental health, well-being and creativity while fostering community connections.

Murmurations: A Score for Social Distancing by Lou Sheppard

In this outdoor performative artwork, up to seven participants at a time will follow shapes on the ground to move like birds flying in a flock. The art will be installed in the Lansdowne Centre parking lot on No. 3 Road.

Lou Sheppard is an interdisciplinary artist from K’jipuktuk/Halifax and the current Branscombe House Artist-in-Residence. More information and updates about this project can be found at www.lousheppard.com.

Dearest by Keely O’Brien

This community art project uses snail mail to encourage connection, interpersonal exchange and safe methods of social contact. Sign up online to receive three artist-designed, pre-stamped blank postcards in the mail, then fill them out and mail to friends and loved ones.

Keely O’Brien is an interdisciplinary artist based in Richmond whose practice incorporates intricately handmade objects with immersive, innovative theatre creation. To find out more about this project and how to participate, visit www.keelyobrien.ca.

Eating in the Time of COVID-19 by Christy Fong and Denise Fong

This online exhibition invites people to examine their relationship with food and how it has changed during the pandemic. It captures culturally diverse and intergenerational experiences.

Local artists, Christy Fong and Denise Fong, have been exploring the use of digital media as an approach to community storytelling since 2015. In 2016, they co-directed the documentary short Under Fire: Inside a Chinese Roasted Meats Shop in Vancouver. Find out more about this project on Instagram at @richmondfoodstories.

Loving: Memories by Marina Szijarto

This project encourages Richmondites to create secular memory shrines to honour loved ones.

Marina Szijarto is a Richmond-based artist with more than 25 years of experience in contemporary arts practices and has been involved with leading community art projects for the Richmond Maritime Festival and The Harvest Full Moon Project at City Centre Community Centre. More information can be found at www.lovingmemoryshrines.wordpress.com.

To find out how you can participate in these projects, and to learn more about the #RichmondHasHeart campaign, visit www.richmond.ca/richmondhasheart.