Culture Days

​In celebration of the nation-wide Culture Days weekend, The Interpreter Project joined in with a more elaborate Open Air Studio on Sunday, September 29th from 1pm-4pm. Photos from Hidden Stories were displayed along with a selection of the books created from Story Exchange. Paintings for Passages, the legacy book was on display as well along with corresponding community artwork from the smaller scale Open Studios. We had large crowds come by, some new to the project while others have participated in various ways and were excited to see the display and documentations of their artworks.

​It was a busy day as the Richmond Nature Park also had their Fossil Show. Since that event starts at 11am, I got many curious little ones waiting and watching the set-up of the Open Air Studio. A few of them who attended Hidden Stories came by to help put up the little people, extremely excited to see the artwork again. That was a heart-warming start to the day.

​For Culture Days, I designed a blank postcard of Newton to give to the participants, inviting them to draw and paint from the perspective of the small vulnerable creature. I encouraged everyone to think how he perceives the world as his senses are limited from ours. It was such fun to hear the different ideas – a little boy insisted Newton can play video games very well, one drew him as a police newt, others took it in a different direction with abstraction, colours and even an eye doctor treatment. I feel the existing newt drawing provided more parameters so that more adults and parents joined in the activity and creation. Many painted the grass and newt while they thought, the action giving them the extra time needed to engage. 

​Thinking back on the launch of the event back in May, the Open Air Studio demonstrated how far the project has come and the connections, engagement and memories created with the community. It was mentioned by a staff member here at Richmond Nature Park that I do not have photos of myself working with the community. I do admit I am a bit camera shy and is often the one behind the camera. Therefore, thank you Perry for sneaking some and sending them to me. Here is one from one of the Story Exchange back in June.