From Oct. 19 to Nov. 5, the Hearth is hosting an environmental art campaign featuring local artists Liz Nankin, Sarah Haxby, and Keith Shapland, that aims to raise awareness of the waste in our lakes and oceans by transforming collected trash into beautiful art.
In partnership with the Sea to Sky Arts Council Alliance, West Vancouver Arts Council, North Van Arts, Divers for Cleaner Lakes and Oceans, and Return-It, 12 artists were given objects and debris collected in our surrounding waters. From these found everyday objects, abstract, surreal, and representational artworks were created.
This Lower Mainland’s first-ever traveling environmental art exhibition is a wonderful way to address the waste issues and the possible solutions to protect oceans and waterways. Indeed, over ten million tonnes of waste get dumped into our oceans annually. That is the equivalent of more than a garbage truck load every minute…
“The majority of plastics and debris that end up in our waterways come from land. While most people do not throw garbage into oceans and lakes directly, too much of it finds its way there eventually,” says Cori Creed, one of the artists.
While the best waste is the one that doesn’t exist, “we need to make better choices when we buy packaged products and follow local guidelines to ensure the garbage is disposed of or recycled appropriately,” says Creed.
On Saturday, Oct. 22, bring your gloves, put on your work clothes and become an art-activist as well! From 10 am to 2 pm, Liz Nankin, Sarah Haxby, and Keith Shapland will lead a community workshop outside of the gallery.
Everybody is invited to embellish debris from Bowen shores by turning them into sculptures. The artists will guide you in the creation of two large creatures that will be showcased for the time of the exhibition, as well as in the making of smaller artworks to take home. All ages are welcome to participate and all supplies will be provided, but you are also welcome to bring your own found debris or objects if you’ve collected some.
Diving In is at the Hearth until Nov. 5. Join the artists Oct. 22, from 10 am to 2 pm for the Community Workshop, and 6 to 8 pm for Artist pARTy with DJ Yeshe.
