Downtown Public Markets
In the last newsletter we reported that a large new public market was scheduled to open in the Hudson in April. That seems to have been overly optimistic, and it is now hoped that it will be open for business in June. It promises to be worth the wait.
The Winter Market in Market Square is now closed for the season.
Graffiti Workshop March 30
Graffiti damage has been a perenniel concern of DRA members for years. Now is your chance to learn more first hand.
A COLLABORATION BETWEEN COMMUNITY YOUTH GROUPS & COMMUNITY-BASED HEALTH CLINIC TO CREATE A GRAFFITI ART MURAL
How does one build community wealth while fostering community health? By creatively and compassionately pooling our resources while empowering young people to make connections. On Saturday March 30th from 12pm-6pm, youth from three community organizations: The Inter-cultural Association of Greater Victoria, antidote: Multiracial and Indigenous Girls’ and Women’s Network and Project Respect (of the Women’s Sexual Assault Centre) will collaborate with community-based clinic, Heart & Hands Health Collective. The goal is to create a Community Graffiti Mural communicating the intersections between social activism, community resource mapping, holistic health, and creative expression through urban art. The mural will take place at 851 Cormorant St. in the heart of the North Park neighbourhood and will breathe new life to the empty walls at Heart & Hands Health Collective.
“This project is the visual expression of the stories and social ties in the Victoria community. It is an opportunity for youth to express themselves visually, but also providing important peer-to-peer connection and education about the lesser known resources in our community.”
- Christina Chan, R.Ac., owner of Heart & Hands Health Collective
“What makes this project special for me is witnessing the connections youth are making with each other, and in forming a sense of belonging in our community. Our aim has been to create a youth-led space where young people feel valued, supported and encouraged to make social change in the community through creative expression and finding their own voice.”
-Letitia Annamalai, Youth Facilitator at ICA
This collaboration represents our capacity as members of diverse communities in Victoria to co-create a positive and pro-active space where all youth are encouraged as leaders in shaping their own lives and communities. This is not just another art mural! We have been meeting every Monday since January with the intention of building an ongoing space for multiracial, Indigenous, newcomer, queer and/or trans youth to explore and connect with supportive peers and adults, who are dedicated to innovative strategies in preventing violence.
Photo Op: Youth will be painting the mural at Heart & Hands Health Collective, 851 Cormorant Street, Saturday March 30th from 12pm-6pm
For further information, please contact:
Rita Kozma, 250-514-8210 / rita@antidotenetwork.org
Letitia Annamalai, 250-589-9529 / lannamalai@icavictoria.org
Pop Up Poetry Event 6 April
Just as spring flowers begin to “pop up” around town in April, so will Pop-up Poetry. Join us for this three-part series of fun, outdoor poetry readings to celebrate National Poetry Month. Share your creative spirit on our "Poetry Wall", participate in open mic poetry readings, meet local poets and enjoy live music.
Calling all poets! Whether you're a novice or established, young or mature, or reluctant or shy, you're invited to express the creative you on our “Poetry Wall”. Poems can be handwritten or typed, signed or posted anonymously. Take the opportunity to share your creativity in verse during open mic. Selected poems will be on display at Victoria City Hall, the Crystal Pool and Fitness Centre, and the Central Library in April.
Each Pop-Up Poetry event will feature poetry readings by guest poets and Victoria's Poet Laureate Janet Rogers and/or the Victoria Youth Council's first Youth Poet Laureate Aysia Law.
Sat, April 6, Noon - 3 p.m., Central Library Square, 735 Broughton Street Featured Poets: Alexa Badea-Hasasian, Ursula Vaira, Janet Rogers and Aysia Law
Live music: Art Napoleon
Next DRA Board Meeting, Wednesday 24 April
Remember, all DRA Board Meetings are open to all members. The next Board
Meeting will be at 6:00 pm, Wednesday, 24 April 2013, at the Silver Threads Centre on Douglas street.
We are in the process of setting up a public meeting with the Bridge Committee to review the status of the project and its impact on downtown residents. It will probably be some evening between 23 and 30 April. Members will be notified by e-mail when it is scheduled.
Land Use Committee
The DRA Land Use Committee has received this invitation from North Park Residents Assoc. to participate in discussions regarding the St. Andrews school site which is on the boundary of our two associations, along with some other issues. We will keep you informed of what is discussed.
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