tri-city news march 30 re. coquitlam heritage symposium
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WWW.TRICITYNEWS.COM TRI-CITY NEWS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 30, 2016, A29
TC CONTACTemail: [email protected]: 604-472-3034www.tricitynews.com/entertainmentARTS/enT.
janis warren/the tri-city newsReg Wilford, executive director of the Coquitlam Heritage Society, at Mackin House. The society will host a day-long symposium on April 16 at Coquitlam’s Evergreen Cultural Centre as part of the city’s 125th anniversary celebrations. For tickets, visit coquitlamsymposium.com.
onni first with salmon cash
The selection process is now under-way to pick the artists who ap-plied to decorate one of the 12 salmon sculptures that will placed around Coquitlam this year.
Last month, the city called for visual artists to be part of the Coquitlam 125 legacy project.
And, last week, the municipality got some fi-nancial aid to help install the big fish around town — once they are unveiled at the anniversary festival in late July.
The Onni Group has became the first sponsor of the public art project, handing over $5,000 to the city to see one of the fibreglass fish perma-nently fixed at city hall.
For its contribu-tion, Onni will receive a plaque on site plus recognition at the Kaleidoscope festival, at Coquitlam Town Centre Park on July 23 and 24.
City officials are now asking for other busi-nesses and groups to follow Onni’s lead: Town Centre Park, Coquitlam Public Library, Coquitlam Crunch and other park locations are open for sponsorship opportunities. To apply, visit coquitlam125.ca/salmon.
The Coquitlam salmon — similar to the Spirit Bear and orca public art projects in Vancouver a number of years back — were made by Squamish Nation art-ist Jody Broomfield.
The artists or art teams chosen to handpaint them will be announced in mid-April.
A new life to Coquitlam’s pastheriTAge
JAnis WArrenThe Tri-CiTy News
As Coquitlam makes its way through the milestone anniversary year, the heritage society wants to ensure the anniversary legacy plays a prominent role in how it moves forward, too.
The Coquitlam 125 theme of Stories Told, Stories to be Created “is an idea that ties in quite nicely with our vision as well,” executive director Reg Wilford said while at one of the city’s oldest landmarks, Mackin House.
Indeed, the stories it wants to share — and be shared — aren’t just tales from the deep, dark past. They are narratives from only 10, 20 or 30 years ago that talk about how the Metro Vancouver suburb is changing at such a rapid pace, with new cultures and never-ending new infrastructure going in.
Next month, as part of the city’s 125th celebrations, the
Coquitlam Heritage Society will shed light on how to save those stories as it hosts a day-long symposium at the Evergreen Cultural Centre.
Participants will learn how to capture the spirit of days gone by — with an eye on the future, Wilford said. “We want to discuss stories that come up to the present time in order to keep them for generations.”
Four internationally ac-claimed and community speakers will lead guests through the April 16 sym-
posium — the first time Coquitlam has held a history gathering of such a size in about 20 years. Wilford said.
Museum consultant Tim Willis will kick off the day, speaking about “how heritage is more important than ever,” Wilford said.
The former vice president of engagement and experience at the Royal BC Museum in Victoria, Willis holds bachelor degrees from the University of Wales in architecture and envi-ronmental design.
Next on the program will be Candace Matelic, a New Mexico-based consultant who directed national landmark sites in Maryland and Hawaii. Wilford said she was recruited for her community engage-ment expertise.
Currently on the distance and program faculty at University of Victoria, Matelic holds a PhD in organizational studies, a masters degree in history museum studies and served as a programming de-partment head at The Henry Ford Museum and Iowa Living History Farms.
Fellow UVic faculty member Theresa Mackay, the executive director of the BC Museums Association, is the third speaker for the day and will bring her knowledge of culture and tourism while Coquitlam
archivist Emily Lonie will fin-ish the symposium. “I will be discussing the initiatives the archives has undertaken in its first three years to preserve and protect the community’s docu-mentary heritage and make it available in meaningful ways,” Lonie said. “The talk will also explore the various ways the archives has extended its reach beyond the walls of city hall through social media, exhibits, speaking engagements and public events.”
Wilford said he hopes to draw a broad mix, from heritage enthusiasts to anyone wanting to learn about the community. Invitations will be sent to heritage groups in Port Coquitlam, Port Moody and New Westminster as well.
• To register for the Coquitlam Heritage Society symposium on April 16, go to coquitlamsymposium.com. Tickets include a catered lunch from Pasta Polo in Coquitlam.
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604.927.6555 | evergreenculturalcentre.caEVERGREEN CULTURAL CENTRE
April 7 - 9, 2016, 8pm
“Grim and Fischer is utter magic.” – CBC