Renfrew-Collingwood Community News

News stories from the Renfrew-Collingwood community in East Vancouver

Category Archives: Arts & Culture


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Celebrating community through art

BY SOPHIA HAN

The Community Data Tree is one of many artworks and performances on view during the Collingwood Days festival. Photo by Sophia Han

What is community art? **

Read On! is a news page for Renfrew-Collingwood learners.

Community art is art that can be found in parks and neighbourhoods. It is different from the art that we see in museums and galleries. It is art that is created with input and help from people in the community.

Community art projects beautify neighbourhoods and tell powerful stories.

Walk on Vanness Avenue between Rupert Street and the Joyce-Collingwood SkyTrain station and you will see a colourful mural that tells the story of the neighbourhood’s history. The mural was designed by artist Bert Monterona in 2017 and painted with help from a local youth group.

The brightly painted park benches and murals in front of Collingwood Neighbourhood House are also examples of community art projects.

Art and community celebrations ***

Some community art projects are temporary and can only be viewed at certain times of the year. This type of art is called an installation because it is put up in one place for a short time. The time, setting and audience participation is just as meaningful as the artwork.

Each fall, the Still Moon Arts Society creates a beautiful lantern installation at Renfrew Community Park with help from volunteers and participants who help to make the lanterns.

This month, enjoy new art installations, storytelling and all kinds of performances during the weeklong Collingwood Days festival starting on Friday, July 14. Since 2003, this annual event has celebrated the traditions, history and diversity of its 55,000 residents.

Events take place at local parks and the Annex Plaza at 3690 Vanness before the main festivities on Saturday, July 22 at Gaston Park. Come join the fun, listen to the music and watch the performers!

Vocabulary

community — a community is a group of people with something in common
input — the ideas and information used to create or do something
beautify — to make something beautiful
designed — something that has been planned
brightly — with colors that are strong
temporary — lasting for a limited time
Installation (art) — a type of artwork where the time, setting and audience experience is important
put up (phrasal verb) — to build something
setting  — place
participation — when you take part in something
just as — use just as before an adjective to say that one thing is equal to another: Oranges are just as delicious as bananas.
performance — a show or presentation before an audience
weeklong  — lasting a week
diversity — the different races, cultures and genders of a people
festivities — the activities that take place during a festival

Word search

Read On Word Search July 2023
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Initiative to explore what makes Joyce-Collingwood special

BY CARMEN LEE

Martin L., Carmen L., and Sakshi J. are excited to host a series of events during Collingwood Days 2023 and to meet new neighbours and community members. Photo by Airam S.
Martin L., Carmen L., and Sakshi J. are excited to host a series of events during Collingwood Days 2023 and to meet new neighbours and community members. Photo by Airam S.

This summer, a group of passionate neighbours and community members are gathering to explore the question “What makes Joyce-Collingwood special?”

Together, we will spend time getting to know each other, explore different ways to tell stories and create something through collaboration. The goal is to create something to share with the community at Collingwood Days 2023.

The program is loosely structured so that participants who join will help decide what and how we do things together. Our small but mighty group will be hosting a series of events throughout Collingwood Days 2023, including a jam circle, painting, community kitchen and a talent show.

There’s still time to get involved; we will meet every Wednesday in July from 6 to 8 pm in the Art Room at CNH Annex (3690 Vanness Avenue). Come and hang out with us!

This project is offered in partnership with Collingwood Neighbourhood House, who is generously providing space for this initiative to take place.

How to get involved

Are you someone who lives, works or spends time in Joyce-Collingwood and interested in creating something with other community members? Join this project by registering through the Collingwood Neighbourhood House online portal.

If you have any questions, concerns or would like to connect with the program facilitator, you can reach Carmen at 778-385-5128 (call or text) or carmenjlee@uvic.ca.

Program details

Program sessions are scheduled for 6 to 8 pm through June and July 5, 12, 18, 22 (Collingwood Days) and 26. Sessions will be held in the Art Room at Collingwood Neighbourhood House Annex (3690 Vanness Avenue).

Depending on the weather and group preference, some sessions may occur at a local park such as Slocan Park (2750 East 29th Avenue), Aberdeen Park (3525 Foster Avenue), Gaston Park (3470 Crowley Drive), or Collingwood Park (5275 McKinnon Street). Food will be provided for all participants.

Carmen Lee grew up in Renfrew-Collingwood and currently studies at the University of Victoria.

Copyright 2023 Renfrew-Collingwood Community News


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Read On! Happy Year of the Water Rabbit

BY SOPHIA HAN

May the Year of the Water Rabbit be a lucky one for you and your family. Photo by Sophia Han
May the Year of the Water Rabbit be a lucky one for you and your family. Photos by Sophia Han

A year of hope **

In 2023, the Lunar New Year starts on January 22nd. The Chinese zodiac sign for 2023 is the Water Rabbit. It is a symbol of peace, hope and longevity.

The Lunar New Year is the most important public holiday in China, but it is also celebrated in Asian countries such as Singapore, South Korea and Vietnam. Because Vancouver is home to many cultures that celebrate the Lunar New Year, you may be asked to join the celebrations at someone’s home.

Read on to learn about traditional gifts to bring your hosts on this special occasion.

During the Lunar New Year, a bowl of citrus fruits symbolizes luck and happiness. Photo by Sophia Han
During the Lunar New Year, a bowl of citrus fruits symbolizes luck and happiness.

Giving Lunar New Year gifts ***

Gift-giving is an important Lunar New Year tradition, but gifts vary depending on the age and the giver’s relationship to the recipient.

You may already know that children receive money in bright red packets called hongbao. If your host has children, it is fine to give them a small amount in a red packet, but the amount should be an even number. Except for the number 4 (which sounds like the word for death in Chinese), even numbers are considered lucky.

Many Asian bakeries at this time will sell boxes of traditional sweets like almond cookies, but it is also common to see gifts of chocolates wrapped to look like gold coins. Crispy egg rolls are sweet, flaky biscuits that are sold in large tins. They are considered lucky because they symbolize wealth.

Money trees and lucky bamboo plants are also popular and a basket of any citrus fruit is always welcome. All of these items symbolize prosperity. In fact, so long as your gift is lucky or auspicious, you can’t really go wrong.

In Renfrew-Collingwood, drop by the Pine House Bread & Cake Shop at 3396 Kingsway for almond cookies. For chocolate gold coins, visit Purdys Chocolatier at 2777 Kingsway.

Vocabulary

Lunar New Year – a year that starts on the first full moon of the year

Chinese zodiac – 12 animals that represent a group of stars

longevity – long-life

occasion – an event

vary – things that vary can be different or change

relationship – the connection between people

recipient – the person receiving something

already – already can describe something that is true before the present time

except – not including

considered – thought to be

common – something that happens often

prosperity – wealth

auspicious – suggesting success

Word search

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** Lower intermediate

*** Upper intermediate

Copyright 2023 Renfrew-Collingwood Community News