True Tribal Opens March 28, 2024!

Meet the Artists

We’re eager to see True Tribal: Contemporary Expressions of Ancestral Tattoo Practices, which will be opening later in the month on March 28th. Leading up to that day, and in the first few weeks of the exhibition, we’ll be highlighting each of the artists involved on our Instagram page. Starting with a post on February 27th, every Tuesday we’ll feature one of the artists from the exhibition.

Last week we featured Dion Kaszas (pictured here), the co-curator and one of the artists in True Tribal. Dion has been a leader in the revival of Indigenous tattooing in Canada since 2012. He curated Body Language: Reawakening Cultural Tattooing in the Northwest at the Bill Reid Gallery of Northwest Coast Art in 2018 and is currently leading the podcast Transformative Marks, where he’s been talking to many of the artists that are part of True Tribal. Today, keep an eye out for Julie Paama-Pengelly, who is Māori (her collaborator Erena Makaere, is featured in one of two promotional images for the exhibition).

Be sure to visit the MOV’s Instagram page every Tuesday to learn more about the artists that will be featured in the exhibition, and we’ll see you in the gallery starting March 28!

All About Trees: Mahogany and Cherry

Events at the Museum

Why I Design: Reclaim + Repair Panel Discussion

March 7, 2024

Toby Barratt of Propellor Studio will lead a conversation with four local designers who support the development of a circular economy on March 7. Register here.

Meet the Designers:

Christa Clay’s practice is rooted in designing out waste, keeping materials at their highest value for as long as possible and regenerating natural systems. She says, “‘Sustainable design’ as a practice is feeble when removed from its context and purpose, known best by those who imagined and realized the design. I look forward to learning from the perspectives in the room to consider how we might push ‘sustainability’ beyond our practices to scale collective impact.”

Brent Comber’s work is sculptural and often large-scale or inherently purposeful, inviting the viewer to reimagine their relationship with the natural world. He told us, “If I can support efforts to further the conversation of local design by contributing how I incorporate sustainable methodologies into my practice, I’m happy to be part of the discussion.”

Kaly Ryan is focused on inclusive design and has always been curious about the intersection of design and health and reducing the stigma of accessible furniture. Kaly says, “Home mobility products aren't usually designed with sustainability in mind, and this is a great opportunity to discuss how inclusive and sustainable design can be synonymous.”

Josiah Peters is passionate about the intersection of design and manufacturing. Josiah told us, “We're diving into how each designer does their thing with eco-friendly principles. It's all about the real stuff—materials, community engagement, challenges and wins. The Mahogany Project's commitment to sustainability makes this talk even more meaningful, showing how the creative community is serious about making a positive impact.”

Watercolour Meditations on Place:

The Akebono Cherry Trees of Vancouver

April 11, 2024

Marisa Pahl will once again lead a watercolour painting workshop, this time focused on the Akebono Cherry tree. This collaboration with the Vancouver Cherry Blossom Festival will also feature their founder, Linda Poole, who will talk about the history of the trees in Vancouver, alongside Marisa’s meditative methods. Find more details and register here.

Bring the Warmth of Mahogany Home

Pieces in Reclaim + Repair: The Mahogany Project Are For Sale

Today, many of us live in cold spaces that are painted white and surrounded by windows—a City of Glass according to Douglas Coupland. Maybe you need to bring the warmth of wood into your space? Perhaps some mahogany?

Reclaim + Repair: The Mahogany Project showcases furniture, lighting and household objects, jewelry, and much more—made from vintage mahogany that was harvested between the 1950s and 1970s in Guatemala and Nicaragua. Mahogany from these areas is now protected through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, so this wood is rare—but you could have some in your home.

There are many art pieces to choose from, but there are functional pieces too. Take Lock & Mortice’s Deka Console (pictured) for example. They usually produce the console in other wood types, so this mahogany version is one of a kind. This piece is described as “an elegant addition to hallways, and it redeems the space behind sofas.” Check out the console and all the items that are for sale here.

Proceeds from each sale will be divided between the designer, MOV, and an Indigenous-led reforestation program in Central America. Check out our sales page for details on how you can own a piece of the exhibition.

Get a Membership Before March 18 to Save

Rates Will Increase on March 18

In our last newsletter we let you know that the admission and Membership rates at the Museum of Vancouver will be increasing as of March 18, 2024.

We encourage you to take advantage of the current Membership prices and purchase yours before March 18. Renewals, even if your renewal date isn’t until later in the year, will also be available at the lower rate if you purchase before March 18th.

The benefits of being a Member include:

• Unlimited general admission to the Museum of Vancouver for one year.
• Invitations to exclusive exhibition preview events and our AGM reception.
• Special Member rates to select public programming events.
• A discount of 10% at the MOV Gift Shop.
• A 20% discount at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre, Vancouver Maritime Museum and Royal BC Museum.
• Subscription to our bi-weekly MOV Newsletter.

Click here to learn more about the different Membership types and to purchase yours.

And don’t forget, the Museum will continue to host a pay what you can day on the first Sunday of every month! 

Celebrating Nowruz - Persian New Year

March 16, 2024

Nowruz, or the Persian New Year, marks the end of the old, and the beginning of the new. Join the Space Centre and celebrate Nowruz and the start of Spring. Learn more about Persian cultural and scientific perspectives on the night sky and participate in fun activities with the family. Enjoy refreshments, live music, dance, live science demonstrations and a special presentation on the history of Nowruz in the Planetarium Star Theatre.

The event starts at 6:30pm at the H.R. MacMillan Space Centre on March 16th. Get your tickets here.

📸: Christian Zane Media

Know before you go:

• Museum of Vancouver is open from Sunday-Wednesday 10:00am-5:00pm and Thursday-Saturday 10:00am-8:00pm.
• Please note that ticket sales end 45 minutes before closing.
• Visit on the first Sunday of the month and pay what you can for admission.
• Visit on the last Sunday of the month for Low Sensory Sundays.
• The MOV is located at 1100 Chestnut Street in Vanier Park in Kitsilano.
• The Museum is wheelchair, stroller and scooter accessible, including washrooms, ramps and elevators, and wide entrances and exits.
• When booked in advance, groups of 10 or more are eligible for a discounted rate. Learn more.
• The Museum is accessible by Mobi Bike Share, TransLink (#2 bus), Evo Car Share and False Creek Ferries.
• Car parking is available in the parking lot run by EasyPark. Please remember to pay for parking before entering the building. Street parking is also available. Learn more.
• Admission is free for people who self-identify as Indigenous.

We acknowledge that MOV is located within the unceded, ancestral territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations.

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