BY SOPHIA HAN

What is community art? **

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

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