Latest news with #VancouverArtGallery
Vancouver Sun
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Check out these 5 free events happening in and around Metro Vancouver
Summer is here! It's time to enjoy the many excellent activities taking place around Metro Vancouver, many of which don't come with a high price tag. There are free, family-friendly festivals and events taking place all around the city that boast live performances, vendor craft markets, food truck festivals, fun kids games and more just waiting for you to check out. Some are continuing right up until it's time to go back to school, while others are one-time-only seasonal offerings. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. Here are five free events coming up that caught our eye: When : Friday nights until Sept. 12 Where : Shipyards District, North Vancouver Info: With a rotating roster of different food trucks and approximately 50 artisan vendors, there is no shortage of shop-able moments. Plus, with two stages and artists ranging from country rocker Blake Havard to between breaks DJ Mike Madness, there is space to get your dance on too. When : June 14, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Where : Douglas Park, 20550 Douglas Crescent, Langley Tickets/info : Free The event offers entertainment from bands such as Fleetwood Magic along with a collection of 23 food trucks serving up everything from Beaver Tails and Slavic Rolls to ice cream and cookies. Add in an artisan market, adult 'kids' licensed beverage zone and community information booths for a range of interests and you've got a great day out. When : June 14, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Where : Fort Langley National Historic Site, 23433 Mavis Avenue Tickets/info : Free A showcase of Indigenous cultures with live performance from groups such as Red Hawk Singers and Wild River Dancers, to storytelling and plant walks with local experts. The Ancestor's Café will be serving up Indigenous nosh, and the artisan market will feature the work of over 30 vendors. When : June 21-22, 1 p.m. to 10 p.m. Where : Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby Tickets/info : Free Opening weekend of the 40th-annual Vancouver International Jazz Festival provides a chance to take in leading local, national and international acts appearing on one of the two free stages beside the Vancouver Art Gallery. Among this year's highlights are various high school jazz bands in the Sounds of Youth series, acclaimed American composer/percussionist Makaya McCraven and Vancouver's very own psychedelic cumbia crew Empanadas Illegales. When : July 3-5, 2 p.m. to 10 p.m.; July 6, 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. Where : South Plaza, Metrotown Mall, Bby. Tickets/info : Drum shows by Smash! Zany fun from Yuki the Juggler, a closing evening fire show and more at this multi-day event at the bustling Metropolis at Metrotown. The South Plaza is just across from the SkyTrain Station, which means you can skip taking the car. sderdeyn@
Vancouver Sun
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Blood, Water, Hair, Land: Anishinaabe artist Rebecca Belmore reclaims the space
When: May 15-Oct. 19 Where: Museum of Anthropology, UBC, 6393 NW Marine Dr., Vancouver Tickets: $10 (youth 6-18), $22 (student 19+ and senior 65+), $25 adult at On the subject of Rebecca Belmore's place in the firmament of contemporary art, curator Jeffrey Boone is committed. 'In my opinion, in my very humble opinion, Rebecca Belmore is quite probably the most important artist of our time,' said Boone. As proof, Boone has gathered four pieces that span the 65-year-old Anishinaabe artist's 40-year artmaking career. Belmore, who was born and raised in Ontario and now lives in Vancouver, is the winner of the 2024 Audain Prize, among many other accolades. Get top headlines and gossip from the world of celebrity and entertainment. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sun Spots will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'They're probably the highest-profile works in Rebecca's career that speak to the condition I want to highlight,' said the curator, who is also a collector and former gallerist. 'That is the ongoing condition of colonialism, and also looking at the museum as a value system in itself.' The works include Fountain (2005), which consists of a short film displayed on a wall of falling water. In the film, Belmore is seen struggling in the ocean before throwing a pail of water-turned-blood at the screen. Previously seen in a different configuration at the Vancouver Art Gallery nearly 20 years ago, the work will be exhibited to the artist's original installation specifications for the first time in Vancouver. 'MOA has been absolutely amazing in terms of how they have said yes to all four of these pieces, but most importantly Fountain,' Boone said. 'The Fountain introduces a high volume of humidity into an institution that's predicated on controlling a specific level of relative humidity to preserve the museum's collection. MOA has gone to incredible lengths to make sure that they can maintain their collection while introducing this amount of humidity.' Another piece, Wild (2001), features a four-poster bed with a bedspread adorned with human hair and beaver pelt. It is accompanied by a placard that reads: 'I AM WORTH MORE THAN ONE MILLION DOLLARS TO MY PEOPLE.' The placard was used as part of a performance in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery in September 2010 in protest against a high-profile legal dispute. Originally, Wild appeared in The Grange, a historic house that is part of the Art Gallery of Ontario. 'The work is complicated in terms of where you place it,' Boone said. 'It really doesn't have the kind of resonance or power that it had in its original situation. But, at Rebecca's encouragement, it's being displayed in the Koerner European Ceramic Gallery, which has a whole other different set of stories associated with it. This bed being so ornate and also kind of nightmarish in terms of the hair and pelt and appearing in this gallery of ceramics is a consideration in terms of how it's going to work.' A fourth piece, Ayum-ee-aawach Oomama-mowan: Speaking to their Mother (1991), will arrive in late July, following its current activation in Ottawa. Belmore created the two-meter-wide wooden megaphone in response to the deadly 1990 Kanehsatà:ke Resistance in Oka, Quebec. Boone credit's Belmore's importance at least in part to her iconoclasm. 'She has persisted for 40 years in making work that has no discernible style,' Boone said. 'Normally, artists who become very successful are the ones who produce work in series that's recognizable so you can market it. Museums know what they're getting. It makes the things identifiable in their collections. It makes it identifiable to collectors. She has refused all of that.' Boone hopes that visitors to VALUE will pick up on the commentary inherent in the work appearing where it is. 'I would love it if someone goes through this exhibition and realizes, 'Oh my God, this is what Rebecca is commenting on — on the building and the collection that I'm standing in, and on the relationship between the building and the land.' Because MOA is on Musqueam land, and these works do speak to the impact that colonialism has had on the land.'
Medscape
08-05-2025
- Health
- Medscape
Nature Art Prescriptions Support Mental Health in Vancouver
On World Health Day, the Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) and BC Parks Foundation's PaRx, Canada's national nature prescription program, launched a partnership to support patients' mental health and psychological well-being. The new collaboration is the first of its kind in Canada and possibly the world, providing an immersive indoor art and nature experience in an urban setting. Sirish Rao 'We know that visitors come to the gallery seeking more than art — they come to reflect, restore, and find solace,' VAG Interim CEO Sirish Rao told Medscape Medical News . The exhibition 'Emily Carr: Navigating an Impenetrable Landscape' provides an appropriate indoor nature experience for the prescription. Carr's paintings of British Columbia's forests invite leisurely contemplation, according to Rao. Melissa Lem, MD, a family physician and director of PaRx's Park Prescriptions, told Medscape Medical News , 'PaRx frequently receives questions from patients and prescribers about how people who have outdoor accessibility issues, whether it's due to inclement weather or trouble with mobility, can fill nature prescriptions. Melissa Lem, MD 'Prescribing a nature-inspired art experience is a way to make the health and well-being benefits of nature accessible to more people,' she said. 'It's also a way to inspire new audiences — those who may feel more at home in an art gallery than outside — to step outside into nature to improve their health.' A printed guide for the exhibit encourages visitors to 'slow look' (ie, look at each painting at length), connect to the images of nature, and reflect on how the experience makes them feel. Visitors also are encouraged to spend time exploring local parks or getting involved in protecting nature. During the first year of the program, each visitor with a prescription and an optional guest will receive free admission to the gallery, underscoring the initiative's effort to foster social connections while removing financial barriers. Visitors may return as often as they like through January 4, 2026, by retaining their PaRx nature prescriptions. What the Evidence Says 'Nature is so powerful that just looking at images of it can improve markers of health and well-being,' Lem said. 'There's an impressive amount of evidence describing the benefits of nature time across almost any kind of mental and physical health issue you can imagine, from hypertension and diabetes to prenatal care and depression.' Recent studies have supported those benefits. For example, a special issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health entitled 'Advances in Nature-Based Therapies and Human Health' features 11 papers with research covering exposure to or participation in nature and their effects on mood, psychological well-being, anxiety, and social engagement across a range of settings. In addition, a small study published in Scientific Reports showed that photo slideshows of forest had a positive effect on cognition and reduced physiological arousal among university students in Germany. Studies also support the psychological benefits of prescribing art. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis concluded that art interventions led to 'a statistically significant improvement in well-being' among participants, with 'promising outcomes' that require further investigation, such as reductions in anxiety and depression. Most prescriptions in the PaRx program tend to be for mental health concerns, Lem noted. 'Vancouver has a reputation for being a lonely city, and this new collaboration specifically seeks to improve social connection.' Research shows that connecting people to nature not only improves their health and well-being but also can result in fewer prescriptions for pharmaceuticals. For example, a recent study indicated that heading outdoors three to four times per week can lower the likelihood of taking blood pressure pills by 36% and taking mental health medications by 33%. Paula Toledo In addition, some evidence suggests that spending time in museums can reduce stress and cortisol levels, said mental health advisor Paula Toledo, the VAG's lead well-being consultant. 'As we look at ways to buffer loneliness and social isolation, we are drawing on research that shows that interactions with art and nature can evoke feelings of awe and inspire wonder,' she told Medscape Medical News . 'In these moments, when people feel interconnected with something larger than themselves, they can often feel a greater inclination toward community involvement and pro-social actions.' What Prescribers Say Lem said that while it's 'early days' for the collaborative initiative with VAG, which was launched last month, 'two of my own patients, a young woman who's struggling with a new cancer diagnosis and an elder with hypertension and chronic kidney disease, have asked me for nature prescriptions, specifically saying they thought a visit to the gallery would improve their mental health.' Carla Fry, PhD Carla Fry, PhD, director of the Vancouver Psychology Centre, told Medscape Medical News , 'What stands out most is how moved people feel afterward. One client told me she hadn't realized how much she needed 'a place to just be' — no pressure, no expectations. Several others have shared how the exhibit gave them a sense of calm they hadn't felt in weeks. 'A few were surprised by how emotional the experience was,' she said. 'For some, Carr's landscapes stirred memories or longings that had been sitting just beneath the surface. Interestingly, the chance to bring a guest has also made the experience more inviting. Clients often describe going with a friend or family member and finding it strengthened those bonds, too.' Because some of her clients weren't sure what to expect or whether they were expected to 'understand' the art in a particular way, Fry emphasizes beforehand that there's no right or wrong way to experience the exhibit. She advises clients with sensory challenges to wear shaded glasses, hats with brims, or noise-cancelling headphones to limit the impact of other patrons, lights, or ambient sounds that may distract them from focusing on the art. Cindy Hayto Cindy Hayto, a registered physical and occupational therapist at ARC Active Rehab Consulting in Burnaby, British Columbia, prescribes the exhibit to her older clients with mobility issues that make it difficult to get outside without relying on caregivers. The idea that connecting with nature can bring physical and mental benefits 'can be a foreign concept to some, but introducing them to nature-themed art is a way of breaking the ice,' she said. The exhibit provides a worksheet that prompts viewers to sharpen their observations as they reflect on the paintings, and this increased acuity can be transferred to observations outdoors. 'Even looking at the trees from their window, they can see the movements, hear the sounds, observe the winged wildlife within the branches and imagine stories,' Hayto continued. 'The benefits can be immediate, including slower, deeper breathing; lowered blood pressure and heart rate; improved mood, a quieting of the mind. 'The bonus of a second pass for a guest means a caregiver receives a direct benefit as well,' she added. 'Or if not a caregiver, my client has a unique opportunity to offer something to a friend, to share in the experience, and to pursue future opportunities to connect with nature.' Looking Ahead Going forward, Rao envisions the potential expansion of the program. 'Already, we can see that the experience would be even more beneficial if we had the capacity and wherewithal to have regular group classes, a dedicated person to receive guests, or even a resident art therapist. These are dreams we nurse for the future as we garner more support for this program. 'Art prescriptions are best seen not as a one-visit scenario but as a pathway that includes participating in the arts, engagement in self-expression, and social interactions,' he said. 'A recommended 'dosage' would be a minimum of one visit or more per month to an art experience that lasts at least 30 minutes. This is extremely powerful, and we hope that this program can help inspire other arts organizations and medical professionals to collaborate and make such offerings widespread, even normalized.' Fry encourages colleagues globally to think about the untapped resources in their own regions (such as local museums, parks, and cultural spaces) and consider how these environments might serve as extensions of the therapeutic process. 'We don't always need to prescribe medication or a therapy protocol,' she said. 'Sometimes, what helps most is giving someone permission to slow down, to look, to feel, and to connect with nature in all its forms.' Lem pointed out that the new collaboration also aims to inspire more care for the planet. 'Research shows that people who are more connected to nature are more likely to protect it and engage in more pro-environmental behaviors that go beyond biodiversity conservation, like recycling, energy conservation, and voting for decision-makers who prioritize environmental protections,' she said. 'In a world with increasing stress on health professionals due to increasingly challenging practice environments in our offices and hospitals, as well as stresses from outside the healthcare system due to climate change, it feels good to be part of a movement that improves both patient and planetary health,' Lem concluded. Rao, Lem, Toledo, Fry, and Hayto reported having no relevant financial relationships.
CBC
27-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
Vancouver Art Gallery announces departure of CEO Anthony Kiendl
Social Sharing The Vancouver Art Gallery (VAG) says it is parting ways with its CEO and executive director, Anthony Kiendl. Its board of trustees made the announcement Tuesday, saying Kiendl is "leaving the Gallery to pursue other professional and personal interests." Kiendl had been with the VAG since August 2020 and helped the gallery navigate the COVID-19 pandemic. VAG board chair Jon Stovell told CBC News he can't share specific details of discussions with Kiendl, but that the gallery is shifting gears to a different version of its capital project — a new space for VAG being built at the corner of Cambie and West Georgia streets — and that Kiendl had other things he wanted to pursue. "It just seemed like a suitable time to amicably go in different directions," Stovell said. He said the gallery is in no rush to find a replacement for Kiendl. Its deputy director and director of curatorial programs, Eva Respini, and senior director of public engagement and learning, Sirish Rao, will be serving as interim leaders. Stovell said both are highly regarded in the arts community. "We're going to evaluate our leadership requirements and map those on to our plan going forward over the next few years and see later in the year where we end up in terms of bringing in new leadership," he said. A VAG release says Kiendl will remain as curator for the upcoming VAG exhibition, Lucy Raven: Murderers Bar, opening on April 18. A challenging time for non-profits The news comes after an announcement in December that the Vancouver Art Gallery was scrapping its new building design after the projected cost rose by 50 per cent, to $600 million. "Many in the community have criticized it as being overly ambitious, and I think there's an element of truth to that," said Stovell. "We are now, and have been, quite public in saying we're pursuing a more … calibrated response to the current economic climate and the current, actual needs of the gallery within the City of Vancouver." WATCH | Does Vancouver really need a new art gallery?: Is a big, new art gallery really what Vancouver needs? 4 months ago Duration 7:07 After the Vancouver Art Gallery scrapped the design of its proposed new building, debate is swirling over whether the city needs a new gallery. But two local artists — Paul Wong with UBC's Department of Art History, Visual Art and Theory and Karen Yurkovich from Emily Carr University — say the current art gallery has outgrown its home. The VAG has since been seeking a new direction for the building, and a new architecture firm. Stovell said he hopes the internal process of picking a new design will be wrapped up by late May to early June, since they have already received applications with simpler designs from Canadian architectural firms. "All non-profits are struggling and trying to find the correct funding model and how to manage these very expensive facilities, and still meet the expectations of the public," he said. "Where positivity lies in the project is the fact that the city is still very much with us — bless them for holding that very valuable piece of land for us." While he has seen people recommend old department store locations, such as Nordstrom and the Bay, Stovell said they're actually not easier because of the cost to lease and renovate them. The design is changing, but he said the current site — which the city is providing at no cost on a 99-year lease — is still by far the most cost-effective choice. A relay race Stovell said the project started something like 14 years ago, and that every VAG director since then has had a role in it. Vancouver Coun. and VAG trustee Sarah Kirby-Yung likened the process to a relay race. "You have a baton and you're handing it off to different people along the way," she said. "Anthony Kiendl joined the VAG during COVID, a very demanding time…, [and] he was fantastic and brought on a great leadership team, but we are really excited to move forward with this project." She said the VAG is taking a pragmatic approach to getting the building over the finish line in the current "cost environment."
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Juno Awards in Vancouver: Here's a list of the events happening this week
The 2025 Juno Awards are taking place in Vancouver with Burnaby's very own Michael Bublé hosting. Besides the biggest night in Canadian music honours taking place on Sunday, March 30, at Rogers Arena, the lead-up to the big event always includes loads of additional activities ranging from songwriting circles to standup sets and — obviously — lots of music to enjoy at both free and ticketed shows around town at JunoFest and more. Here's a list of things to see and do in Juno town: When and where: March 27, 6-8 p.m., Vancouver Art Gallery rooftop pavilion Tickets and info: Free, but RSVP at About the event: A storytelling circle bringing together Indigenous artists to share personal tales and candid observations about their careers. Get first-hand insight into carving out a path as an artist from those who have done it. When and where: March 27, 8 p.m., Vancouver Playhouse, 600 Hamilton St. Tickets and info: About the event: The comedy category in the Junos was reintroduced in Vancouver in 2018. Now the comedy show is a highlight of the awards. This year's edition features Courtney Gilmour, Debra DiGiovanni, Jess Solomon, Nathan Macintosh and Vancouver Juno-winner Ivan Decker. When and where: March 27, 28, 4-10 p.m.; March 29, 10 a.m.-10 p.m., šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl'e7énḵ Square, Vancouver Art Gallery, 750 Hornby St. Tickets and info: Free. About the event: An all-ages outdoor celebration of Canada's biggest and rising stars with a night market, interactive exhibits, family friendly programs and food trucks. The two-day lineup includes a who's who of talent including drag star Queen Priyanka, Surrey's AR Paisley and Raman Bains, and Swollen Members. Two stages keep sounds going all day and night with DJs spinning, and much more. When and where: March 28, 1-2 p.m., Carnegie Community Centre, 401 Main St., Vancouver Tickets and info: Free. Lineup TBA at About the event: Live gigs by Juno nominees and other Canadian talent presented by the Vancouver Juno host committee. When and where: March 28-29, various venues and times Tickets and info: Download the Juno Week App at App Store and Google Play! for full event schedules. Wristbands are available at Some $20 tickets will be available at the door. About the event: Local venues will be blasting out the sounds of Canada at JunoFest with performances from nominees such as Vancouver's acclaimed metal act Anciients, which performs on March 29 at the Rickshaw Theatre among others. From the Hollywood Theatre and the Painted Ship to the Cobalt and others, the music plays all weekend. When and where: March 28, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Centre in Vancouver for Performing Arts, 777 Homer St. Tickets and info: About the event: SOCAN and Factor, in association with Music Publishers Canada, present the songwriters' circle. Dubbed the 'Jewel of the Junos', this event gives listeners an opportunity to hear the stories behind their favourite songs directly from the artists. This year's lineup includes Alexander Stewart, Dylan Sinclair, Elisapie, Leif Vollebekk, Lowell, Luna Li, Nemahsis, and Humanitarian Award-recipient Sarah Harmer. When and where: March 29, 11 a.m.-noon, Vancouver Playhouse Tickets and info: About the event: Presented by Destination Indigenous, the honouring ceremony highlights vibrant Indigenous culture with a special ceremony and performances from Juno-nominees Adrian Sutherland and Brianna Lizotte. When and where: March 29, 11 a.m.-noon, Annex, 823 Seymour St., Vancouver Tickets and info: About the event: Hear stories of the behind-the-scenes activity that brings Canada's top-chart hits to life and listeners' ears. The panel includes Aaron Paris, Akeel Henry and Juno International Achievement award-recipient Boi-1da in discussion. When and where: March 29, 11 a.m.-noon, šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl'e7énḵ Square, Vancouver Art Gallery Tickets and info: Not required. About the event: Hosted by Lisette Xavier from the Bestest Day Ever With My Best Friend program, this family oriented morning program includes music, storytelling and performances from artists including Kym Gouchie, Will's Jams! and The Gumboot Kids. Vancouver country singer Jessie Farrell is one of the songwriters and performers on the popular children's show. When and where: March 30, 1-5 p.m. at B.C. Place Tickets and info: About the event: Want to catch the excitement of the artists arriving at the Junos? Come down to take in the procession of stars as they walk the orange carpet at B.C. Place. Note: This fan experience has requirements for attendees, be sure to look at the rules before heading down. Full information is available at When and where: March 30, 5 p.m. at Rogers Arena Tickets: From $94 at About the event: Hosted by Bublé, the annual Juno Awards Gala is the night that Canada celebrates the best and brightest musical talents in the county with awards in various categories, special performances and more. Unique honours such as Anne Murray receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award and Sum 41 being inducted into the Canadian Music Hall of Fame are some of the highlights scheduled for the night. When and where: March 30, 8 p.m., Commodore Ballroom, 868 Granville St., Vancouver Tickets and info: About the event: The awards are over and now it's time to join the winners, industry sorts and music fans for a final blowout for the Juno Awards in Vancouver. By now, music fans should know if they are headed to Hamilton or somewhere else in 2026. sderdeyn@ Anne Murray to receive Lifetime Achievement Award at 2025 Juno Awards Spring 2025 Preview: 37 Vancouver concerts, theatre events, new book releases and more to add to your calendar
