September 12 – October 26, 2014
Gallery Gachet (88 E. Cordova Street)
gachet.org

Oppenheimer Park is pleased to present Crossing Boundaries, an exhibition showcasing artworks from Oppenheimer Park community. Included are paintings, drawings, print, sculptures, carvings, mixed media and video works.This year, the exhibition takes “crossing boundaries” as its focus with a variety of interpretations.

Interpretations include but are not limited to:

• Oppenheimer Park artists would like to invite people who have never been to the Park, who are not familiar with the Downtown Eastside neighbourhood in crossing borders by joining the celebration and exploring the different reativities
• Our participating artists will also push their artistic boundaries to showcase their talent.
• As the neighbourhood faces change, some participating artists will manifest gentrification and displacement through their art.
• Some of our Oppenheimer Park community crossed life and death boundaries.

Over 35 artists will be featured in the show and many of the works showcase their diverse interpretations of boundaries. In addition, the exhibition will unveil petite BONHOMME (little fellow), dozens of small paper mache dolls decorated and painted through community art workshops at Oppenheimer Park and Carnegie Community Centre. Curated by Carrie Campbell.

The Oppenheimer Park Community Art Show began in 2008 in anticipation of the changes, challenges and loss in a pre-Olympic city. It presented an opportunity to recognize the existing neighbourhood, and its residents and members who play important and active roles in creating community by drawing on their history despite challenges and struggles. Oppenheimer Park is “one of the few green spaces in the area and one of the oldest surviving parks in the heart of the city”. It is often referred to as “the Backyard of the Downtown Eastside” and is also one of the few inclusive spaces left for people who are homeless, or living without adequate and safe housing. The Park hosts many programs, festivals and special events, and is the busiest park, per capita in the city. Oppenheimer Park is located in the DEOD (Downtown Eastside Oppenheimer District). The DEOD remains a resolute community of people upholding a vision of the Park as a place for art, education, recreation, health and healing.

Photo credit Tom Quirk