IF NOT FOR DREAMS

The 9th Annual Oppenheimer Park Community Art Show

IF NOT FOR DREAMS

Exhibition runs: September 9th–October 23rd, 2016
Opening reception: Friday, September 9th, 6–10 pm
Join the procession with the Carnival Band, from Oppenheimer Park (488 Powell Street) to Gallery Gachet (88 East Cordova Street) at 5 pm. Fun!

Opening September 9th, 2016, Oppenheimer Park and Gallery Gachet are pleased to present If Not For Dreams an exhibition showcasing artwork from the Oppenheimer Park community. This exhibition features painting, drawing, print-making, sculpture, carving, textile, mixed media and video works. Meet the artists at the opening reception! Visit the gallery during open hours: Wednesday to Sunday from 12 pm to 6 pm.

“Hold fast to dreams for if dreams die, life is a broken-winged bird that cannot fly.”
~Langston Hughes

This year, our exhibition focuses on dreams with a variety of interpretations. The theme was generated through a community meeting and voted on at the HomeGround Festival and online. More than thirty-five participating dreamers will share their interpretations. The exhibition will feature a community project titled In Case of Dreams. In the months leading up to the show park goers will explore their dreams (past, present and future) through creative expression and their work will result in a collaborative installation. If Not For Dreams is part of Homelessness Action Week 2016 (Oct 9th–15th) a series of events to increase awareness and to address conditions impacting homelessness.

ABOUT THE COMMUNITY OPPENHEIMER PARK ART SHOW

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 also 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 is located in the DEOD (Downtown Eastside Oppenheimer District).

Salon Shop

The Salon Shop is a micro–exhibition space within Gallery Gachet featuring the work of the Gachet Community, Volunteer, Associate and Collective members. The latest salon shop features

IT HAPPENED IN THE PARK

Parallel exhibition opens: Friday, September 9th, 2016

Selected artwork created at Oppenheimer Park’s art programs and HomeGround 2016 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 Salon Shop exhibition will feature works created by Oppenheimer Park’s vibrant programming, including; the Oppen-Arts program, Inside Outside Eastside! kids program, the Ladies Tea Party, the beading program, and the HomeGround Festival arts programming in collaboration with Gallery Gachet.

EXHIBITION PROGRAMMING

“Soil to Sky Project” workshop with EartHand Gleaners Society | Oppenheimer Park, Friday, September 9th, 2–4 pm

Join community engaged environmental artists Sharon Kallis and Rebecca Graham for the first of in a five-session kite-making workshop where participants will make kites in the “new-old-fashioned way,” with materials we grow and gather from our neighbourhoods. Join the Carnival Band for a procession to Gallery Gachet to follow!

Meet the Artist | Friday, October 14th 6–8 pm, at gallery gachet

Come join us for a casual afternoon of art and conversation. Exhibiting artists will be on hand at the gallery to walk you through the exhibition, If Not For Dreams. Artists will talk about their work and process as the tour moves through the gallery. (This event is part of Homelessness Action Week 2016)

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about workshops, please contact Oppenheimer Park at 604 253 8830 or karla.kloepper@vancouver.ca

For more information on exhibitions and all public programs at Gallery Gachet, contact Kristin Rochelle Lantz 604 687 2468 | programming@gachet.org or visit www.gachet.org

Oppenheimer Park would like to thank Gallery Gachet, City of Vancouver Great Beginnings, Carnegie Community Centre Association, Homelessness Action Week, Carnival Band, mcfarlane biggar architects + designers inc., Martin Tessler, and Master Framers.

image ©Martin Tessler, courtesy of mcfarlane biggar architects + designers inc.