PEOPLE...100 years strong and that's just the local store!

Benny’s street party brought out hundreds of people to celebrate 100 years of service to the Strathcona Community. In Vancouver, this kind of legacy is equivalent to celebrating something from the 13th century in Europe or Asia. We don’t have a ton of this type of history, that spans 3 generations and going. What a great contribution the Benedetti family has made to this community and the city of Vancouver through their store on Union and Princess. This family has served the community since 1919, the year my dad was born. He would have been 100 years old Nov. 11th; magic numbers 11,11,19,19 — I thought of him as I bought my lottery ticket at todays memorable anniversary bash.

It was a beautiful day and sad that Raymond Sr. passed away just months before this celebration. The family did him proud today serving up a party of joy and excitement; to say nothing of the 725 sausages, 450 scoops of ice cream… There was a band (one of 3) playing while the fire truck and firemen chatted with the 100’s of people floating through the 11-4 pm celebration. There were horses from the police department, Fryebe sausages, ice cream and cake and long tables and chairs for people to sit and enjoy the day. There were also photos of the family’s many years of commitment and passion to each other and the community on display as well as one of the grandchildren’s french/english project of the store’s history. This celebration pulled out all the stops to shine and make this a day to truly remember!! Bravo Benedetti’s Bravo.

COMMUNITY... happenings in the hood

Things are on fire!! No, quite literally arsonists’ have hit the city. Crazy right? Little did I expect to get a text Saturday morning from a neighbour telling me about an artist building which had been hit with a fire. He advised me because of my role as past-chair of the ECCS (Eastside Culture Crawl Society) and felt I should know. Well that led to ARTDOG KOKO and I hitting the scene to discover…

Can you imagine coming to work in your studio and finding this? (…as if it isn’t hard enough being an artist )

That is the studio of an artists who’s work I collect: Carylann Leoppky. I like her work as she’s fearless with the brush and her strokes are genius. Her surreal images are inspired by her fierce nature and honest soul. Take a look at her work and see what I mean. I’m sure there will be a limited edition coming out of this most unfortunate mishap. That’s the kind of person and artist she is, one who will make something positive out of a not so positive situation.

My heart sank as I went into her studio and saw the hole in the wall and called her to let her know. As Artdog Koko and I walked over I hoped her studio wouldn’t be one that was effected, but alas that wasn’t the case. Once on the scene we snooped around to see what we could find out.

We sniffed out that the fire hit around 3 am. It was reported by people who go for early morning walks in that area is often occupied by homeless and derelict types. It was started from the outside by the very thick wooden door. The second floor got it the worst and about 12-13 studios were effected. Management was on site and calling artist while assessing the damage immediately. Later I found out from artists that it appeared to be arson as gasoline was used and one firefighter was hurt.

As the story was shared I also learnt that the Astoria Hotel on Hastings had been hit with fire 4 times within the last month. Also an artist building around Hastings was also hit by arsonists. Hmmmm, could there be a connection? I’m not sure, but it certainly speaks to the need for the City of Vancouver to address this human disaster of homelessness and “bad” behaviour that is taking place presently.

The good news story is that FINALLY Oppenheimer park is getting addressed. Here’s the link to that story https://globalnews.ca/news/5781669/oppenheimer-park-possible-clearance/ . It’s a big hurrrah and it will be a bigger hurrrah if the social housing is spread throughout the city and other suburbs and throughout the province. Who’s to say all these “bad” behaviours throughout the city are connected to the growing camping situation in Oppenheimer? Who knows, but it is odd that one can observe some pretty gross stuff happening in the areas where the city has permitted to become ghettoized.

Here’s to wishing all the best to the community of Artists who are trying to just get to work.

PROGRESS... counting the days

Here’s to hoping the next PROGRESS post will be one of “oh hey we’re done”. Is that a possibility? hmmmm, I’ve been researching some amazing positive energy meditative youtube videos lately. Apparently life changing things can happen so who knows can I make my dream come true?

Take a look:

and part 2 …https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4oqiW2lwg2Y (yup that’s just like me holding my brain in my hands)

While Dr. Joe speaks to us and holds my brain in his hands Project 851 continues to progress one day at a time. Last Progress post had a few before / after shots so I thought I’d just keep rolling with that so here we go:

Garden suite: (guests help yourself!!)

The Pink House (853)

Mama’s place: (857)

Octopus 2 bdrm: (855)

Octopus Studio:

Off to meditate on the calm, patient, progressive self that I am. Ooooooooommmmm …

ART... come see my collection

Collecting art has gone on hold while the Project has evolved, perhaps because the Project has become a part of the collection in and of itself. The work here has also given me time to reflect on the art that has been collected over 15 years. I have come to understand myself and choices I’ve made for Project 851 through this collection. Here is a sneak peek at the art collection as it hung in my old home and where it is presently:

Yes, the collection with the likes of Lawrence Paul Yuxweluptun, David Kahng, Laura Wee Láy Láq, Richard Tetrault, Carylann Leoppky, Connie Sabo, Esther Rausenberg and many more fabulous artists, is packed away waiting to come out again! It is waiting to be shared with others, for what is art if not to be seen?

While the Project has evolved I was able to finally get work by Anida Yoeu Ali aluminum mounted by Issac at the LAB and it turned out beautifully. Don’t you think? I love these pieces and can hardly wait to hang them in the Pink House on my main floor.

“Madonna in the wall” is also waiting to get installed. She was acquired at Hugh Picket’s estate auction in Richmond some 3 or so years ago and here is how she stood in the old home with some images of plans for her here at Project 851.

Until that time of final details Madonna goes back in the box!