The artist who painted a giant 42-foot tall mural in Downtown Vancouver will be selling a limited edition print of her work this weekend – for one day only – in support of YWCA Metro Vancouver. Ola Volo’s Wall for Women, was unveiled back in March at the corner of Burrard and Melville and has become synonymous with women’s rights, the fight against domestic abuse.
Limited Edition Ola Volo Print Supports YWCA
Due to the immense popularity of this mural and an innate desire to raise funds for women in need, Art Rapture, Ola Volo, Rethink Canada and the YWCA Metro Vancouver have joined forces to produce a high quality limited edition print for collectors around the world.
The Wall for Women was a permanent gift to the community that depicts the strength of women and shines light on the “shadow pandemic” of intimate partner violence. During the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic violence against self-identifying women has increased as much as 20-30% in parts of the country and kills a woman every six days.
“Coming onto this project, I thought a lot about what it takes to leave a domestic violence situation. It made me think of a powerful, brave queen who grants herself love and opportunities to thrive. Crown held high, she’s looking forward to the future, protecting the fragile bird companion on her shoulder, and rising above the snake that’s trying to hold her down.
I wanted the woman in this artwork to claim her confidence and her power back by taking up space. She isn’t small or fading into the background. She’s front and centre, and commands the attention she deserves – even in the busy streets of downtown Vancouver.” – Ola Volo
The “YWCA for Women” print will be available to collectors around the world via a one hour time release. The edition will be limited to the number of units sold during 60 minutes. When the 60 minute mark is reached, the number of units sold will determine the edition size. From there, they will move to production and Ola Volo will sign and number each print before shipping out to collectors. Once the edition is determined, the “YWCA for Women” artwork will never be created again as a print, and the edition size will retain integrity for all collectors.
Details of the print:
20″ x 24″
Full colour, digitally printed, signed by Ola Volo
Sales will be open for one hour only on Saturday, August 28, 2021, from 11:00am to 12:00pm
BC’s viewer-supported public broadcaster, Knowledge Network, is making the Knowledge Kids app and website available to the rest of Canada starting this fall. They both showcase a wide range of curated, quality shows and content without commercials that kids enjoy and parents can trust. The app is available for free on iOS and Android, Apple TV, Roku and Amazon Fire TV Stick.
Knowledge Kids App & Website Fall Programming
“Knowledge Network and Knowledge Kids have long been trusted brands in British Columbia. We’re committed to offering shows that inspire and help kids learn about the world around them through cooperation, empathy, friendship and problem-solving,” says Michele Paris, Senior Manager, Children’s Programming. “We know many parents are very deliberate about screen time for their kids. We’re happy to provide parents in all of Canada with access to a curated lineup of fun and age-appropriate shows that their kids will love.”
Knowledge Kids’ content is specially chosen for kids aged two to eight and offers hundreds of full-length episodes of high-quality children’s programming.
The fall lineup will include some great offerings available for free and without ads or commercials across Canada.
You’ll find favourites like Paw Patrol, Wild Kratts, Shaun the Sheep, and Clifford the Big Red Dog (premieres September 27) as well as new shows for fall including, Gus the Itsy Bitsy Knight (premieres September 6), Dog Loves Books (premieres September 9), Elinor Wonders Why (premieres September 6), ABC with Kenny G (premieres September 6), Let’s Go Luna (premieres September 12), Geronimo Stilton (premieres September 22).
Knowledge Kids is a safe, trusted environment with the best and brightest shows for kids aged 2-8 brought to you by Knowledge Network, BC’s viewer-supported public broadcaster.
Decolonial Clothing and ALIVE Society (Aboriginal Life in Vancouver Enhancement Society) are hosting the free Circles Festival on August 28th featuring performances, a youth workshop and showcase, visual arts, and speakers. This one-day pop-up will showcase over 50 local and national artists, designers, and musicians with a focus on the talent and creative community of Indigenous youth.
When: Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 1:00pm to 10:00pm Where: Andy Livingstone Soccer Field (98 Keefer St, Vancouver) Tickets: Free! RSVP online here
From the organizers: “Circles is in reflection of community, uplifting and empowering BIPOC youth. Often, Indigenous People don’t have safe spaces for our creative expression. We are building those safe spaces, we are grass-roots and doing the groundwork needed to bring healing to our community.”
Also featuring: SIERRA BAKER, MOONSTONE, MADELAINE MCALLUM, SHAYLA OULETTE, SHADAE JOHNSON, COASTAL WOLF PACK, VIFW x SUPERNATURAL, MATTMAC, ALL DAY MUSIC FAMILY, REX SMALLBOY, XHALIDA, ALIVE YOUTH, NATION SKATE YOUTH, HK, MZ SHELLZ, SEKAWNEE & SEKOYA BAKER, KAJAN JOHNSON, TWIIN WALKER, VALEEN JULES, HERMIT, HAYLEY WALLIS, SACRED, and more
The goal of the event is to create an energy that empowers Indigenous youth in the community, and nation-wide. There is also an ongoing fundraiser for Nlaka’pamux (Lytton) Youth Programs.
Pop-Up Market and More
During Circles Festival, Alive Youth will be on location live streaming and podcasting, engaging the community to come and take part in interviews, discussions, and open dialogue on everything youth.
Decolonial Clothing Co is also curating a massive independent Indigenous Pop-Up outdoor market. This will feature a lineup of young fresh artists and designers; clothing design, jewellery, artwork, zines and more.
ALIVE seeks to build on capacities of Vancouver’s urban Aboriginal residents through involving them more fully in their neighbourhoods. Employing a ‘place based’ approached, the society has begun this process by working with local community centres to assist them to better reflect and involve local Aboriginal residents in their programs, to foster leadership skills in Aboriginal youth, and open up employment opportunities to quality Aboriginal applicants. At the same time, ALIVE reaches out to urban Aboriginals to support their involvement and acceptance in their communities.
For its 39th season, Pacific Theatre presents a two-part slate featuring existential comedies, challenging dramas, and live music. The season includes four plays, an expanded return of Christmas Presence, and three nights of concerts from local performers. Shows begin October 1, 2021 with safety measures in place.
Pacific Theatre’s 2021-2022 Season
When: October, 2021 to June, 2022
Where: Pacific Theatre (1440 W 12th Ave, Vancouver)
Tickets: The company will continue the sliding-scale accessible ticketing model implemented in 2020, with seats available for as little as $10 for those with financial barriers. Tickets for the first half of the season are available now. The second half of the season, featuring Love/Sick, How The World Began, and The Mountaintop will be released in late fall.
The slate marks artistic director Kaitlin Williams’ first full year of programming, following the retirement of founding artistic director Ron Reed in April 2020.
The season begins with Will Eno’s dreamy one-act Wakey, Wakey, a timely exploration of mortality and memory that’s also a surprisingly good time. Music At PT features performers from Nadleh Whut’en musician and storyteller Cheryl Bear to beatboxing string trio Infinitus. And after a remote celebration in 2020, family favourite Christmas Presence welcomes audiences back into the theatre for a homey mix of stories and songs.
2022 brings Love/Sick (originally slated for spring 2020), John Cariani’s sweet and acerbic ensemble-driven look at romance from guest producer Jalen Saip and director Jamie King. How The World Began – Catherine Trieschmann’s nuanced exploration of educational ethics, faith, and how we disagree set in a rural schoolhouse – plays in March. And the season closes with Pulitzer-winner Katori Hall’s The Mountaintop, an intimate fantasia that imagines Dr. Martin Luther King’s final night in the Lorraine Motel, directed by Omari Newton.
Due to the intimate nature of the Pacific Theatre space, staff, volunteers and artists have committed to being fully vaccinated; and PT requests that all ticket-holders be likewise. A full policy, including exceptions, is available on the website.
Follow Pacific Theatre on Facebook and Twitter for more information about their productions.
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by Rebecca BollwittDisclosure: Sponsored Post — Published in partnership with ZenSeekers Please review the Policy & Disclosure section for further information.
I still remember my first Kiixin experience (while on assignment with ZenSeekers) in 2018, in fact I can still feel it with all of my senses, from 250km away. The walk through the lush coastal rainforest, following guides from the Huu-ay-aht First Nations, the scent of sun-kissed cedar washed over by a wave of crisp sea air as we approached the beach. The beat of our guide Wishkii‘s drum, the song he sang, and the story of the 5,500+ year old Kiixin National Historic Site all around us. The house posts that remain, the whale bones embedded in the earth that add even more to the story. It’s a spiritual feeling that’s stayed with me for over three years. Now, imagine how significant this place must be to Huu-ay-aht, and how fortunate we are that they have graciously opened it up to visitors.
Kiixin Tour, Wishkii – Photo by Jaiden George for ZenSeekers
“Kiixin is our National Historic Site, and one of the main reasons why it was designated that is because it’s the only place on the South Coast of British Columbia where you can see actual remnants of traditional longhouses,” Wishkii told ZenSeekers. “It’s truly a chance to go on a journey with the ancestors, a journey through time.”
Kiixin Tour, Wishkii – Photo by Jaiden George for ZenSeekers
Wishkii is a desginated speaker for the hereditary Chief and is one of several guides for Kiixin Tours. “On the tour I get the chance to talk about Huu-ay-aht’s history and culture and most importantly the family of our chief and my own family’s history. It’s an opportunity for me to share that and talk about that on a regular basis.”
Four hour tours are offered daily and several times on weekends. It’s so much more than a walking tour to a beautiful place. There is so much meaning behind in this forest and on these shores.
Kiixin Tour, Wishkii – Photo by Jaiden George for ZenSeekers
“Kiixin provides a link to the past and gives us an opportunity to look at where we’re at now, and plan for the future so that we can make our world a much better place, an educated place.” Wishkii says Huu-ay-aht means resiliency; Through disasters, hunger, famine, war, and colonialism. “I believe in learning and unlearning both at the same time, because we were always taught from a certain perspective – a colonial perspective – of the history of this land but now we have an opportunity where we can see beyond those 150 plus years that our village is ancient and that there’s a tremendous amount of history.”
Kiixin Tour, Wishkii – Photo by Jaiden George for ZenSeekers
Kiixin gives visitors the opportunity to see a full circle of connectivity, the past, present and the future of Huu-ay-aht.
“Even the hike in itself, you get a chance to see how connected we are to Mother Nature and as we get into the village site you get to see how connected we are to even the cosmos.” The Kiixin logo features three stars which reflect this continuous presence and connection. “Having that Huu-ay-aht perspective and that view, that vantage point, shared with the world helps in the reconciliation piece of where we are, modern day.”
Kiixin Tour, Wishkii – Photo by Jaiden George for ZenSeekers
On the tour you’ll visit the ancient village site, which is 5,500 plus years old — 5,500 being the earliest confirmed date but it’s believed to be much older. You’ll see remnants of the village including standing posts from the Whaling House.
There is a nearby village, where Huu-ay-aht have modern structures, and they felt it was important to preserve the historic site as it was, to maintain that link to the past. “It’s very important to the continuum of Huu-ay-aht,” Wishkii says. “To always look at: Where have I been, where am I now, and where do I want to be? Moving into the future.”
Kiixin Tour – Photo by Jaiden George for ZenSeekers
The Kiixin National Historic site plays a role in cultural tourism, and the sharing of Huu-ay-aht culture for all. It also benefits the community, as when you visit you can support Indigenous owned-and-operated businesses, from accommodations to shops. Wishkii believes that it’s another way that demonstrates how everything is connected.
Book your 2021 tour now until mid-September or plan ahead for next season.
When You Go
Getting to Kiixin can be done in two ways:
Driving out of Port Alberni, noting that it is an approximately 1.5-hour drive along an active gravel logging road. A vehicle with good tires and ideally 4X4 is recommended.
Accommodations located within Bamfield are less than 10 mins from the Kiixin National Historic Site include Huu-ay-aht First Nations group of businesses:
Kiixin Tours are approximately four hours in length, offered daily and multiple times on the weekend. Day tours are by donation (don’t forget to tip your guide) while the evening tours are $30 per person / $50 per couple. Book online here.
