The Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation is pleased to announce a new environmental art project in MacLean Park Fieldhouse presented in partnership with the Stanley Park Ecology Society, The Urban Weaver supports artists from diverse traditions working with ecologists exploring the creative repurposing of green waste.
Listen to CBC Podcast North by Northwest with Amanda and her visit to the Urban Weaver project. CBC North by Northwest Podcast
The Urban Weaver:
Todd Devries (Haida), Sharon Kallis (Welsh) and Debra Sparrow (Musqueam) are local artist-weavers collaborating with the Stanley Park Ecology Society and the Vancouver Park Board in an exploration of how invasive plants in the city can be used as urban substitutes for traditional weaving materials. English ivy, Himalayan blackberry, and yellow flag iris hold great potential as contemporary alternatives, replacing materials such as cedar bark and cattails that cannot be sustainably harvested in urban centres. The artists will be working out of the MacLean Park Fieldhouse, near the Strathcona Community Centre, and there will be open studio times and free community workshops scheduled for next spring and summer. Community members can also get involved in harvesting and preparation of the invasive materials for personal creative use. This exciting project is just getting started so please stop by MacLean Park and meet the artists.
This project aligns with Park Board’s Strategic Priorities regarding ‘Greening’, ‘Engaging People’ and ‘Resource Management’ and responds to recent motions in support of the creative management and repurposing of both green waste and surplus spaces.
The Urban Weaver Project 
Hello All,
I am afraid I have a mentorship program that I need to be at tomorrow night. I will be there on the 3rd for sure! I am going to miss all your awesome “weaving” energy. Please send my regrets.
Anastasia
HI Anastasia, and I have to miss the 3rd, ( Todd and Debra are there) but look forward to catching up with you the week after, have a great few weeks, Sharon
What a great turnout today. Thank you Todd and Sharon for your teachings. Sorry I missed you Debra. One comment I heard as a group of people left the venue was “This was the BEST place we have visited, I love the concept!”
There were so many positive words! So much interest, and so many saying this is so innovative, interesting, brilliant, awesome, cool, fun, informative….
I wish I could be there tomorrow.
Hawaa,
Anastasia
Enjoyed your exhibit at the crawl. Artists are the mother’s of invention. So nice to see so many talented people taking life back to what it was intended to be.
Cool.. it is great that you can use natural products to make such interested and functional things. Keep up the good work.