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North Van Arts Garden 13

Garden 10- Feathers & Fungi

Gardener: Wild Bird Trust of BC at Maplewood Flats
2649 Dollarton Highway, North Vancouver

An all-ages event that celebrates nature and the relationship between birds and fungi. Presented in partnership with the Wild Bird Trust of BC.
Just like other Arts in the Garden locations, at Maplewood Flats you will have opportunities to engage with art and nature: at the Coast Salish Plant Nursery, at the Coast Salish Plant Exhibition, and on the trails. Unique to this location, you can register in advance for workshops taking place over the weekend.

Accessibility

This garden is partially accessible. There are mostly flat surfaces, but the paths are primarily gravel. They are quite wide, except for the path on which the community parade will take place.Parking will be available at Maplewood Flats. In case this parking lot is full, there is overflow parking available a few minutes to the west of the flats, but this is not accessible to those with mobility aids or difficulties, as it is a dirt area with quite a few potholes. Those who are comfortable walking can also park on the side streets to the west of the flats, about a five minute walk away from the location.The 212 and 215 busses stop immediately outside Maplewood Flats. There are three bike racks available at the end of the parking lot, just outside the Wildbird Trust information hut.This location has gender neutral bathrooms with accessible stalls. There are locks on the main doors to ensure complete privacy. The doors are not automated, so volunteers on site are prepared to assist as needed.

WORKSHOPS

Tsleil-Waututh Nation Birds of the Inlet - Songs and Stories
Saturday, 9:30am - 11:00pm | Registration Required | All Ages | Free

An activity for all ages, including children and families, to learn about stories that reveal the relations between birds and Tsleil-Waututh members on these lands and waters, inspiring creative expression of birds in the rest of the weekend’s activities. It is free to attend, although we ask that you please register in advance if you are able so that we know how many people to prepare to welcome.

Click here to register.

 

Decolonizing Ornithology Walk
Saturday, 11:00am - 1:00pm | Registration Required | Free

Reconsider the way we see birds and understand the geography of this place. Let’s explore reconciliation, Indigenous Knowledge and ornithology. Led by Irwin Oostindie.

Click here to register.

Feathers & Fungi Naturalist Walk
Sunday, 10:00am - 12:30pm | Registration Required | $15

Join us for a walk in the woods to learn about the ecological relationship between birds and mushrooms, exploring how they work together to create food and habitat for each other and for other forest life. Led by Willoughby Arevalo and Samuel MacTavish. 

Click here to register.

Bird Movement
Sunday, 1:00pm - 2:30pm | Registration Required | All Ages | $10

Learn about birds through embodying their anatomy, movement patterns and behaviours, and move inspired by murmurations and migration patterns. Led by Isabelle Kirouac. 

Children are welcome accompanied by a supportive adult.

Click here to register.

Community Parade
Sunday, 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Free | All Ages

Join our festive community parade along the forested paths of Maplewood Flats for a celebration of our local birds and fungi! No registration required. 

WORKSHOPS

Tsleil-Waututh Nation Birds of the Inlet - Songs and Stories
Saturday, 9:30am - 11:00pm | Registration Required | All Ages | Free

An activity for all ages, including children and families, to learn about stories that reveal the relations between birds and Tsleil-Waututh members on these lands and waters, inspiring creative expression of birds in the rest of the weekend’s activities. It is free to attend, although we ask that you please register in advance if you are able so that we know how many people to prepare to welcome.

Click here to register.

 

Decolonizing Ornithology Walk
Saturday, 11:00am - 1:00pm | Registration Required | Free

Reconsider the way we see birds and understand the geography of this place. Let’s explore reconciliation, Indigenous Knowledge and ornithology. Led by Irwin Oostindie.

Click here to register.

Feathers & Fungi Naturalist Walk
Sunday, 10:00am - 12:30pm | Registration Required | $15

Join us for a walk in the woods to learn about the ecological relationship between birds and mushrooms, exploring how they work together to create food and habitat for each other and for other forest life. Led by Willoughby Arevalo and Samuel MacTavish. 

Click here to register.

Bird Movement
Sunday, 1:00pm - 2:30pm | Registration Required | All Ages | $10

Learn about birds through embodying their anatomy, movement patterns and behaviours, and move inspired by murmurations and migration patterns. Led by Isabelle Kirouac. 

Children are welcome accompanied by a supportive adult.

Click here to register.

Community Parade
Sunday, 3:00pm - 4:00pm | Free | All Ages

Join our festive community parade along the forested paths of Maplewood Flats for a celebration of our local birds and fungi! No registration required. 

EXHIBITION

Circles of Care: Exhibition of Ecological Art by Natasha Lavdovsky & Veles: Exhibition by Daisy Chen
Saturday and Sunday, 10:00am - 4:00pm

An exhibit centering on lichen, birds and conservation. The exhibit is open for visitors Saturday and Sunday.

There will be engagement opportunities offered throughout the afternoon on Saturday, May 25:

1:00pm – Exhibition Opening

1:30pm – 2:30pm: Artist Talk and Video Screening

Registration is not required to attend the exhibition opening and artist talk, and it is free to join. 

Natasha (Tasha) Lavdovsky is a neurodivergent artist & amateur lichenologist, who grew up in traditional Tsawout First Nations unceded Territory (on so-called Vancouver Island). In 2009 Tasha obtained a bachelor’s degree in studio art and art history from Princeton University where she/they also studied geology, oceanography and environmental studies. Since 2011, Tasha has been committed to deepening their understanding of anti-colonial perspectives and environmental stewardship, which greatly informs her ecologically oriented work in video, performance, photography, installation, textiles and sculpture. Tasha recently completed an MFA in Intermedia Studio Art remotely through Concordia University while living in Pacheedaht Territory. Tasha’s current work focuses on ecological reciprocity interventions and subversive approaches to public art.

You can learn more about Tasha’s work on their website: https://www.natashalavdovsky.com/

Art by Daisy Chen

Veles: Exhibit Opening with Artist Daisy Chen
Saturday-Sunday, May 25-26, 10am-4pm | Free | All Ages
Exhibit runs through June 23, 2024 (open Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun 11-3pm.)
The artist will be available all day May 25 to display additional work and greet visitors.

According to Slavic folklore, Veles was the god of the earth, water and forests. Veles dwelled in the underworld and emerged occasionally as a shepherd of the dead who gifted fly agaric mushrooms to humans. The concept of Veles reminded me that fungi and mushrooms are species that recreate and absorb life from decay and death. Veles is a series of monochromatic drawings that explore the symbiotic relationships between animals and fungi. It is a bit of a departure from my usual macabre subject matters of skeletons and decay, although you may find remnants of my darker work peeking through here and there. 

Daisy Chen is an Illustrator and Printmaker of Taiwanese descent born and raised in Vancouver, unceded Coast Salish Territories. Her main mediums are pen and paper illustration, painting and print-making. Daisy is intrigued by the esoteric and macabre, drawing creative inspiration from death metal, horror movies and striking moments in cinema. In her free time, she enjoys Criterion movies, political theory and befriending the neighborhood crows.

Coast Salish Plant Nursery
Saturday and Sunday 10:00am - 4:00pm

With hourly tours of the nursery and lessons on bird-friendly native planting for this region, the Coast Salish Plant Nursery is an important component of what we do at Maplewood Flats. Our aim is to recognize and emphasize the cultural associations of Coast Salish plants, and how they can be used to improve biodiversity and habitat value for local birds.

EXHIBITION

Circles of Care: Exhibition of Ecological Art by Natasha Lavdovsky & Veles: Exhibition by Daisy Chen
Saturday and Sunday, 10:00am - 4:00pm

An exhibit centering on lichen, birds and conservation. The exhibit is open for visitors Saturday and Sunday.

There will be engagement opportunities offered throughout the afternoon on Saturday, May 25:

1:00pm – Exhibition Opening

1:30pm – 2:30pm: Artist Talk and Video Screening

Registration is not required to attend the exhibition opening and artist talk, and it is free to join. 

Natasha (Tasha) Lavdovsky is a neurodivergent artist & amateur lichenologist, who grew up in traditional Tsawout First Nations unceded Territory (on so-called Vancouver Island). In 2009 Tasha obtained a bachelor’s degree in studio art and art history from Princeton University where she/they also studied geology, oceanography and environmental studies. Since 2011, Tasha has been committed to deepening their understanding of anti-colonial perspectives and environmental stewardship, which greatly informs her ecologically oriented work in video, performance, photography, installation, textiles and sculpture. Tasha recently completed an MFA in Intermedia Studio Art remotely through Concordia University while living in Pacheedaht Territory. Tasha’s current work focuses on ecological reciprocity interventions and subversive approaches to public art.

You can learn more about Tasha’s work on their website: https://www.natashalavdovsky.com/

Art by Daisy Chen

Veles: Exhibit Opening with Artist Daisy Chen
Saturday-Sunday, May 25-26, 10am-4pm | Free | All Ages
Exhibit runs through June 23, 2024 (open Tues, Thurs, Sat, Sun 11-3pm.)
The artist will be available all day May 25 to display additional work and greet visitors.

According to Slavic folklore, Veles was the god of the earth, water and forests. Veles dwelled in the underworld and emerged occasionally as a shepherd of the dead who gifted fly agaric mushrooms to humans. The concept of Veles reminded me that fungi and mushrooms are species that recreate and absorb life from decay and death. Veles is a series of monochromatic drawings that explore the symbiotic relationships between animals and fungi. It is a bit of a departure from my usual macabre subject matters of skeletons and decay, although you may find remnants of my darker work peeking through here and there. 

Daisy Chen is an Illustrator and Printmaker of Taiwanese descent born and raised in Vancouver, unceded Coast Salish Territories. Her main mediums are pen and paper illustration, painting and print-making. Daisy is intrigued by the esoteric and macabre, drawing creative inspiration from death metal, horror movies and striking moments in cinema. In her free time, she enjoys Criterion movies, political theory and befriending the neighborhood crows.

Coast Salish Plant Nursery
Saturday and Sunday 10:00am - 4:00pm

With hourly tours of the nursery and lessons on bird-friendly native planting for this region, the Coast Salish Plant Nursery is an important component of what we do at Maplewood Flats. Our aim is to recognize and emphasize the cultural associations of Coast Salish plants, and how they can be used to improve biodiversity and habitat value for local birds.