Chinatown Winter Solstice: Frame & Paint

We’re kicking off the start of our Winter Solstice series with a collaboration between   @Swongski & @Lucky.Munyi ! 

WHEN: Saturday, November 16 2024, 1:00PM to 4:00PM

WHERE: Chinatown Plaza Mall - 106 Keefer Street

Come join us for a two-parter workshop in one day! 

Learn from Sarah @Swongski on how to craft your own fabric picture frame and customize it with various techniques and decorations. 

You’ll also get to learn how to paint watercolour plum blossoms - the Chinese winter flower - through a guided painting workshop with Gal @Lucky.Munyi !

Sarah (she/they) is a local writer, choreographer, and interdisciplinary artist with their practice focused on their queer, disabled, and 2nd(ish) generation body, their practice traces lineages of family history, community resistance, movement across land, and slow gestures of care. They make space for the multiple, creating work that spans performance, site-specific installation, textiles, poetry, and film. 

Gal/Munyi (they/she) is a Chinese settler residing in so-called “Vancouver”. Gal’s focus on using art as a tool for activism ignites their creative journey. As a fourth-generation Chinese settler with deep roots in Vancouver's Chinatown, Gal is dedicated to combating gentrification in the area through their art and activism.

*The workshop will require arriving at the start of the event, as the programming does not allow drop-in once we have passed the half-way mark. However, folks are still encouraged to attend at any time to enjoy other aspects of the event outside of the workshop.*

Also available during the event we will also be bringing back an expanded selection from William’s Library at the event. Peruse through the unique items available and find something special to take home. We encourage monetary donations (optional) to William’s Library, with all proceeds going to @Yarrow Society and their intergenerational work with the Chinatown senior community.

Chinatown Blooms: A Stand Against Displacement! COMMUNITY FOREVER! 🤍

Event Amenities:

Snacks and beverages will be provided, courtesy of Chinatown Together throughout the event.

To ensure inclusivity, interpretation for instructions will be available in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.

Things to bring:

- Painting supplies (Chinatown Together will be providing supplies, but they are limited)

- Any additional fabric you’d like to use for your frame (Chinatown Together will provide supplies)

- Water to stay hydrated

- A bag if you plan to take home items from William’s Library

In the face of ongoing gentrification, it's crucial for us to unite in support of our Chinatown and DTES communities, honor our elders and their cultural heritage, and revel in the collective joy of artistic expression.

Through each Chinatown Together event, we are dedicated to backing grassroots efforts, amplifying the genuine voices of our community, reclaiming our cultural roots and safe spaces, and standing firmly united against encroaching gentrification. Celebrating community joy is our most powerful resistance to these forces - let's come together and celebrate in Chinatown as one!

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COVID Safety Information

For the health and safety of all our community members (especially seniors, disabled and immunocompromised folks), we are making this event mask mandatory (preferably KN95, KF94 or N95). If you do not have a mask, we will provide masks on site.

Accessibility Information

Transit: Chinatown is accessible by transit via skytrain and bus. The closest skytrain station is Stadium-Chinatown. The 3, 8, 19, and 22 bus lines are some of several in the area.

Washrooms: There are public washrooms available inside Chinatown Plaza Mall.

Water: Please bring your own water to keep hydrated.

This event was made possible with the help of Future Arts Network and the City of Vancouver.