The Chemainus Salish Welcome Arch to eventually be placed at Waterwheel Park is being hailed as much more than just a permanent piece of outdoor public art.
The significance of the project has been described as an opportunity to bridge cultural divides in a strong step toward reconciliation and to revitalize the local economy.
The design of the piece is being done by Penelakut artist Maynard Johnny Jr. It will consist of five-metre cylindrical supporting metallic columns, incorporating a salmon theme, and the inside of the plastic tubing will be illuminated by LED lights. Regarded as the sentinel of the coast, the Great Blue heron will be the theme attached to the horizontal portion of the arch.
B次元官网网址淲e offered to take on the project because we felt we had experience with managing this type of project and we had a connection with Maynard through his mural, Rebirth,B次元官网网址� said Tom Andrews, president of the Chemainus Festival of Murals Society.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 the columns that are unbelievable,B次元官网网址� confided Shannon Bellamy, a member of the societyB次元官网网址檚 board of directors. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a curved form and thereB次元官网网址檚 clear spaces in between the salmon images. The two columns light up at night.B次元官网网址�
The archway proposal has actually long been in the works, but funding is coming together suddenly with the acceptance of a $50,000 grant from Island Coastal Economic TrustB次元官网网址檚 Community Placemaking program.
The murals society is contributing $20,000 and spearheaded the application for the successful ICET grant that accounts for a large portion of the total cost. Another $35,000 is being donated in-kind by the Municipality of North Cowichan for expenses associated with erecting the piece and securing the site while the Rotary Club of Chemainus and the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society are providing $5,000 apiece. The Chemainus Legion, Chemainus Valley Museum and other groups were key players in the grant application.
The projectB次元官网网址檚 total cost is earmarked at $125,000.
B次元官网网址淲e still have to raise $10,000,B次元官网网址� said Andrews.
B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a plan in place,B次元官网网址� added Bellamy.
Terms of the grant still need to be worked out before the additional funding is finalized.
B次元官网网址淭his has been a real community effort towards reconciliation and economic rebuilding, utilizing a diversity of local capacity,B次元官网网址� noted Andrews. B次元官网网址淭he installation of the public art piece on the historic village site symbolically allows Penelakut Tribe to take a step in reclaiming their cultural history.B次元官网网址�
B次元官网网址淲e are honoured to support this inspiring project that breathes life into continuing reconciliation among Penelakut people and residents of Chemainus,B次元官网网址� said Island Coastal Economic Trust CEO Brodie Guy in a statement. B次元官网网址淭his not only showcases the creativity and artistic talent within this community, but it also serves as a great example of collaboration, the deepening of good relations and wider understanding of unique histories.B次元官网网址�
Hints about the pending project were dropped during an interview conducted in the summer of 2021 with Johnny Jr. by Jonny Harris for the Still Standing CBC-TV program.
The deterioration of the previous wooden arch at the same site in Waterwheel Park provided an opportunity to install a spectacular new replacement arch that better represents the community and marks a new partnership with the Penelakut Tribe, Andrews indicated.
B次元官网网址淥ur community has historically limited First Nation involvement in the creation of our murals. It is well past time to set a new direction and we hope this project is a catalyst for future projects.B次元官网网址�
The $50,000 grant is supported through a collaborative funding arrangement between the Island Coastal Economic Trust and the Targeted Regional Tourism Development Initiative through 4VI. The Community Placemaking program provides funding support of project costs to stimulate and promote vitality in downtowns, main streets and business districts across the region.
B次元官网网址淲e continue to support the efforts of placemaking and place branding in the Vancouver Island region,B次元官网网址� said 4VI President and CEO Anthony Everett in a statement. B次元官网网址淎s a social enterprise with a mission to ensure that travel is a force for good for Vancouver Island, we work with community-led projects to enhance the livability and character of our Island communities.B次元官网网址�
This is a perfect fit for Chemainus considering the pandemic resulted in a substantial reduction in visits for a tourist town that draws national and international visitors to see its outdoor murals and sculptures. The new arch will become part of the Community Series.
Former North Cowichan parks and recreation director Don Stewart helped coordinate the original effort to put together a community team, with the First Nations committee of the Chemainus Valley Cultural Arts Society taking the lead.
B次元官网网址淭hen we were approached,B次元官网网址� said Bellamy. B次元官网网址淥f course, weB次元官网网址檝e managed big projects before.B次元官网网址�
The labyrinth in Waterwheel Park, the In Search of Snipes statues in Heritage Square and the Chemainus Theatre mural have been the larger enterprises taken on by the murals society.
ThereB次元官网网址檚 no timeline for completion of the project with a lot of groundwork still to be done. B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 see it going up until the fall,B次元官网网址� conceded Andrews.
ItB次元官网网址檚 hoped the completion might work out to coincide with National Indigenous Peoples Day in September of 2023.
don.bodger@chemainusvalleycourier.ca
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