For the past three years, a group of artists from North Burnaby has been helping to redefine the community’s perception of art.
Living Room Art in the Heights is making a return to the neighbourhood this weekend to help prove that art isn’t just for a gallery-visiting elite – it’s for everyone, everywhere.
The third annual event is bringing together a multidisciplinary evening of arts and entertainment, set for Saturday, Oct. 15 from 5 to 9 p.m. in a private home at 4115 Yale St.
Living Room Art is spearheaded by Yunuen Perez Vertti, a filmmaker originally from Mexico City who came to Burnaby via Houston, Texas – where she was the production manager for a similar living room art series known as Voices Breaking Boundaries.
When she brought the idea to Burnaby, it captured the imagination of the community and brought together visual artists, textile artists, photographers, dancers, storytellers, musicians and more.
This year’s event once again draws from a deep pool of talent in the community.
Perez Vertti is excited to be showing the work of Burnaby filmmaker Bonnie Kreps, with a screening of This Borrowed Land – a documentary Kreps made some 35 years ago about the Peace River Valley and the looming threat of a hydroelectric dam. Now, with Site C becoming a reality, the issue has returned to the forefront.
“Now it’s current again. We decided to bring it back and show it to the community again,” Perez Vertti says.
A speaker from the site will also be Skyping with the community at the event.
The evening is also set to include work by filmmaker Ciaran Davis-McGregor, whose short film Faded Frames was accepted into the Vancouver International Film Festival as part of the Reel Youth Film Showcase.
Living Room Art will also have a large focus on fashion and textiles, with work by designer Yifat Jovani on display.
There will also be two textile-related interactive art projects for visitors to take part in: a Stitch Your Story project and a community weaving project. The end product of last year’s community weaving project will be on display this year, and visitors can also help to create this year’s new project.
And no, it’s not just for expert artisans to enjoy.
“It’s very open. You don’t have to have any experience whatsoever,” Perez Vertti says.
Christie Lim, an artist who works in hand embroidery, and textile artist Dawn Livera are featured in the evening.
New to the event this year will be local artist and business owner Mandy Karpoff, the owner of Plush Floral Studio.
“She’s known for being a business owner, but this year we’re showing her artistic side,” Perez Vertti notes.
Also new will be the first ever choral performance at Living Room Art, by a group known as the Madrigalians, who specialize in Renaissance secular choral music. Students from Staccato Studios will also offer up musical entertainment.
Visual art, as always, also has a strong place in the evening’s program. Featured this year will be four visual artists known as the Gamma Garage – Pat Sexsmith, Sheila Chowdhury, Wilma Cook and Dianne Yard – along with painter and ceramic artist Patricia Haley-Tsui and photographers Carolyn Sullivan, Courtney Tran and Grant Withers. Visual artist Bill Thomson – also president of the Burnaby Arts Council – is also part of the evening, along with artist Michelle Sound.
Irish storyteller Philomena Jordan, a favourite from past events, will also return for the occasion.
Perez Vertti notes that not only has the programming expanded, but the space has as well – visitors will be able to check out both the home and a neighbouring garage right behind it.
“People can move from the garage of one house to the other house,” she says, adding she’s hoping to see a few hundred people turn out for the evening.
“Our event keeps growing as far as people knowing about the event and wanting to come,” she says. “There’s a few people now, they have been to both the previous ones. We have a following already.”
The event is funded by a Neighbourhood Small Grant from the Vancouver Foundation, with backing from local businesses including Lotus Café, Stan’s Pizza, Staccato Studios, Art Space, Global Coast Photography and Plush Floral Studio.
It’s all free, refreshments will be served, and visitors are welcome to drop in and out at any time throughout the evening. For more information, see www.livingroomarttheheights.wordpress.com.
