A collection of basalt figures carved by Haida artist Lawrence Knowles, on commission to the RMOW, will receive a dedication ceremony and blessing in their new Whistler home this weekend.
Knowles worked on the basalt bear sculpture and a series of accompanying pillars from a public site in Rebagliati Park beginning last April.
In August, the sculptures were moved to a permanent location along the Valley Trail, by the Meadow Park playground.
The works are part of an initiative of the RMOW parks department and the Whistler Public Art Committee to install public art in locations outside Whistler Village. The program also includes the interactive sculpture crafted by Penny Martyn at the Valley Trail trailhead at the base of Lorimer Road.
Knowles has said he enjoys working in stone because of the longevity and resilience of the finished works. The bear sculpture, he said, has a grandfather spirit and he hopes young children will be inspired to climb on it the way they would climb on their grandfather’s lap.
The dedication ceremony takes place Saturday, Sept. 17 at 3 p.m., rain or shine, and will include a performance by traditional Haida dancer Lyle Campbell, and refreshments and cake for the public. Knowles will be in attendance to tell stories associated with each of the sculptures.
Tazara show lets kids collaborate
Also taking place on Saturday afternoon is the artist reception for the Art Of Tazara – a vibrant exhibition of collaborative works by seven-year-old Tazara Lopes and her artist mom Cary Campbell Lopes, on display through the month of September in the community gallery space at MY Millennium Place.
The reception will be a family-friendly affair with a large painted background piece for kids to draw on, Tazara-style.
A similar canvas from the first Art Of Tazara reception in 2003 is currently on display at Spring Creek Community School.
The reception runs from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.
