The 8th Annual Oppenheimer Park Community Art Show | In Between!

Exhibition runs: September 11th–October 25th, 2015
Opening reception: Friday, Sept 11th, 6–10pm *part of SWARM 2015
Opening day procession from Oppenheimer Park–488 Powell St–at 5pm

The Oppenheimer Park Community Art Show began in 2008 in anticipation of the changes, challenges 
and loss in a pre-Olympic city. It presented an opportunity to recognize the existing neighbourhood,
 and its residents and members who play important and active roles in creating community by drawing 
on their history despite challenges and struggles. Oppenheimer Park is one of the few green spaces in
the area and one of the oldest surviving parks in the heart of the city. It is often referred to as the Backyard
 of the Downtown Eastside and is one of the few inclusive spaces left for people who are homeless 
or living without adequate and safe housing. The Park hosts many programs, festivals and special events, and is the busiest park, per capita, in the city.
Oppenheimer Park and Gallery Gachet are pleased to present In Between! this year’s annual exhibition showcasing artworks from the Oppenheimer Park community. Included are painting, drawing, print, sculpture, carving, textile, mixed media and video works. This year, the exhibition takes on “in between” as its focus. This theme was generated through a community meeting held in May 2015. In Between! represents a variety of perspectives (between languages, places, nations, cultures, life etc.). 35 artists’ diverse interpretations of in-betweenness will be featured in the show.

Salon Shop | Featuring artwork created during OPPEN-Arts Studio Workshops and HomeGround 2015
Exhibition runs: Friday, September 11th–Sunday, October 25th, 2015

The Salon Shop is a micro-exhibition space within Gallery Gachet featuring the work of the Gachet Community, Volunteer, Associate and Collective members. It is a dynamic and responsive space for visual conversation with our community, where the concerns and aspirations of The Downtown Eastside fuel
 the work and inform the viewer.

Oppenheimer Park artists represent a resolute community of people upholding a vision of the Downtown Eastside as a place for art, education, recreation, health and healing. This special Salon Shop exhibition will feature works created and photos taken during two community programs at Oppenheimer Park: OPPEN-Arts Studio Workshops and HomeGround 2015.

OPPEN-Arts is programming which takes place every Thursday at Oppenheimer Park. The OPPEN-Arts Workshop from 10.30am-1.00pm and Studio from 2.30-4.00pm is a place for Downtown Eastside artists to create, develop and share their artistic talents. This display features selected works from 2015 projects.
During the 3-day HomeGround festival, homeless and under-housed residents enjoy the best food
 and entertainment in the Downtown Eastside. At the most recent HomeGround festival Gallery Gachet was invited 
to produce art-making workshops for community members. The result of this collaboration between Gachet, Oppenheimer and the many artists who create in our community are proudly featured in this
micro exhibition!
OFFSITE: Restored public art Installation, by Thunder Larry Parenteau at Oppenheimer Park
Unveiling ceremony: Thursday, October 15, 2015, 1.00 pm–4.00 pm
In conjunction with the exhibition at Gallery Gachet, Oppenheimer Park has taken this opportunity
 to restore a remarkable work of public art, Paintings to Adorn by artist Thunder Larry Parenteau.
 Gallery Gachet associate member Edzy Edzed assisted in the restoration of the twelve paintings series, which were painted for the old children’s playground in Oppenheimer Park (pre-renovation). Thunder,
 a local painter who lived near Oppenheimer Park for many years, created this series to bring some joy 
to the playground after an industrial chain-link fence was installed around it. His paintings have a strong spiritual quality, often featuring images of animals in the natural and spiritual world. Thunder’s work adorns many public and shared spaces in this community and it is a privilege to see these works restored for future generations to enjoy.

ADDITIONAL PROGRAMMING:
• Friday, September 11th, 5pm—Opening Day Procession
Join the opening day procession from Oppenheimer Park to Gallery Gachet led by the Vancouver
 Fire & Rescue Services Band.
 • Saturday, October 10th— ScavARTger Hunt–Art in the City III
ScavARTger Hunt is back! Scour the city of Vancouver to complete questions about artworks.
 Win prizes for right answers!
• Thursday, October 15th—Joy to the Park! Unveiling and Celebration
After the unveiling of Paintings to Adorn join us for an afternoon of music, food and art making.
 This celebration will also include music and an art making workshop.

THANK YOU TO OUR FUNDERS, SPONSORS, AND PARTNERS
City of Vancouver Great Beginnings Program, Carnegie Community Centre, Homelessness Action Week, Vancouver Fire & Rescue Services Band