We’ve picked four of our favourites.

100-in-One Day

How many urban interventions can you fit into 24 hours? Our good friends at Evergreen are behind an event called 100 in 1 Day, a cross-country initiative aimed at enlivening urban spaces. The city is host to dozens of public space activations, some small, some large, and all of them citizen-driven. There are walking tours, art installations, urban nature adventures and so much more. There is a lot going on, so be sure to check it out.

:: More information – 100-in-1 Day website

Keys to the Street Fundraiser

Our good friends at Red Cat Records are hosting a saloon style fundraiser for the Keys to the Streets program. Do you love the public pianos program as much as we do? If so, this is the event for you. Join local artists as they tinkle the ivories, and lend your support to this fantastic placemaking initiative.

:: Info and Tickets

Heart of Davie / Jim Deva Plaza – Consultation

The City of Vancouver will be holding a consultation on the preferred concept of the new plaza and public space improvements at Davie and Bute. Drop by between 11:00am and 2:00pm and share your feedback on this important initiative.

:: More information – City of Vancouver Heart of Davie webpage

Burrard Bridge & Pacific Street Intersection – Open House

The City is looking at redesigning this high-volume intersection to make it safer for all modes of transportation. Drop-by anytime during the event to meet the project team, give feedback about the proposal, and ask questions.

Event takes place 10am-2pm at the Roundhouse Community Arts and Recreation Centre, 181 Roundhouse Mews.

:: For more information, or to provide your feedback online – City of Vancouver webpage

One of the best characteristics of street art and other forms of urban intervention is their capacity to surprise and delight… and to offer an unexpected twist on everyday routine. Another plus is their ability to offer a bit of light to otherwise grey spaces – alleys, empty lots and other places, such as the awkward and underutilized areas that exist under bridges.

This new piece must have just gone up today… or perhaps yesterday. It certainly wasn’t up earlier in the week… and if you look closely at the far pillar you can still see a small assembly of scaffolding pieces down near the far pillar.

White words on grey concrete. Three columns in total reveal the following sequence of words… “Her jacket pockets/turned inside and out/release fears of the colour blue.”

In truth, I haven’t decided if I like the piece yet. I need to think about that first (I’m always a bit slow to make my mind up with these sorts of things — especially when oblique signifiers like jacket pockets and the colour blue are involved). That being said, I love the fact that it has happened, that it leaves me with a pleasantly curious feeling, and pleased by the serendipity of it all. My thanks to the artist… whomever you might be!

UPDATE: Thank you to Deanna C for dropping us a note on the VPSN Facebook page to let me know the identity of the artists – there are two of them – who undertook this project. They are Jordan Bent and Eli Horn. Check out their respective webpages to see more of their work!