Bumble Baskets - Terra Nova
A Community Eco-Art Project
Throughout June and July 2018, a total of 7 'workbees' took place in Richmond at the Terra Nova Pollinator Meadow during full bloom, in which community came together to use plant material found on site or nearby. Three afternoon sessions were spent outside with the Terra Nova Nature School Pollinator Camp, practicing ethical harvesting, coil-basketry techniques, and learning about our local pollinators. The remaining 4 sessions were open to the community and spent in the park, learning coil-basketry techniques, listening to live music, and sharing stories about pollinators and the relationship between our environment and personal aesthetic. Inspired by learning that abandoned Bumblebee nests are sanctuary for 250 other species, the resulting works are sculptures evocative of these nests, placed in a wildlife tree beside the pollinator meadow and apiary.
This community art project is a site-specific rendition of the Bee-Decking the Meadow project completed in 2017 at the Kelowna Pollinator Pasture while under the mentorship of eco-artist Sharon Kallis. This event series was presented by Border Free Bees in partnership with Emily Carr University of Art + Design, the City of Richmond, Vancity, and the Terra Nova Nature School.
Acknowledgement and Gratitude to:
This community art project is a site-specific rendition of the Bee-Decking the Meadow project completed in 2017 at the Kelowna Pollinator Pasture while under the mentorship of eco-artist Sharon Kallis. This event series was presented by Border Free Bees in partnership with Emily Carr University of Art + Design, the City of Richmond, Vancity, and the Terra Nova Nature School.
Acknowledgement and Gratitude to:
Mary Rusak - Assistant Artist
Emily, Heidi, and Kate - Terra Nova Nature School Curtis, Emily, and Richard - City of Richmond Geoff Campbell - Graphic Design and Photography, Border Free Bees Special Guests and Musicians: Vancouver Regional District Community Band Natalie Der and Maya Khayrallah from the Richmond Delta Youth Orchestra Dr. Cameron Cartiere Erin Udal Nicole Preissl Rumour Mill Community Makers: Terra Nova Nature School Preschoolers and their parents and grandparents Terra Nova Nature School Pollinator Camp participants and staff! Community members who participated by attending and/or contributing to the installation And to Sharon Kallis for her on-going mentorship, and Cameron Cartiere for creating this opportunity. |
Final Installation
Materials: Scotch Broom, Himalayan Blackberry, Reed Canary Grass, and various other plants collected on site.
'WorkBees'
Photos courtesy of Geoff Campbell, Mary Rusak, and Jaymie Johnson
(For specific photo credit, click on the individual photo)
(For specific photo credit, click on the individual photo)