Mosiac Art on our Streets - Development around 22nd Street Skytrain

  Inside this New West Spotlight Newsletter…

 ⛅️ New West Weather

🗓️ New West Events

🕵️‍♂️ New West Local News

October 07, 2024

 🧒 Uptown Playtime Drop in (Eighth & Eight Creative Spaces) with a special guest

 🛝 Westminster Pier Park playground will be partially closed for maintenance

October 08, 2024

 📸 Night Vision Outing: Fraser Cemetery - New West Photography Club 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM

 🌉 Pattullo Bridge Closure 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. – Northbound into New Westminster

 🎨 Century House The Artists Drop-in - 3:00 to 5:00 PM

October 09, 2024

 ☕️ New West Chamber of Commerce Coffee Talk - 7:30 AM - 9:00 AM

 🎸 Kaitie Sly at Douglas College - 3:00 PM

 🌉 Pattullo Bridge Closure 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. – Southbound into Surrey

 🖼️ Public Art Walk - Cultural Crawl

Public Art Walk in Downtown New Westminster Draws Over 25 Art Enthusiasts

New Westminster, BC – October 6, 2024

This weekend, over 25 art lovers gathered in downtown New Westminster for a captivating public art walking tour led by local curator, Jas Lally. With her deep knowledge and passion for the city’s cultural history, Lally guided participants through a journey that revealed the stories behind four intricate mosaics along Columbia Street.

The tour was part of the New Westminster Cultural Crawl, an annual event celebrating the city’s diverse arts, culture, and heritage. The crawl connects the community with local artists, galleries, and cultural landmarks and draws people into the conversation around change.

The walking tour highlighted the artistic and historical significance of four mosaic masterpieces, each representing a different facet of New Westminster’s heritage:

Transportation: A vibrant tribute to the city’s transit evolution and role in shaping the local landscape.

- Working Waterfront: An homage to New Westminster’s industrial roots and the community that powered its economy.

- King Neptune: A nod to mythology and the city’s maritime connections, adding a whimsical layer to the city’s public art collection.

Chinese Benevolent Association: A poignant reminder of the Chinese community’s contributions and the city’s diverse cultural history.

Jas Lally’s insightful commentary added depth to each piece, giving participants a newfound appreciation for the art that often goes unnoticed amidst the busy streets.

As the walk concluded, participants were encouraged to take time on their own walks down Columbia Street to pause and reflect on public art displays. “Next time you’re downtown, stop for a second and take in all the work and history behind these pieces,” Lally advised.

With public art playing an increasingly important role in city life, tours like this offer a unique way to engage with the community’s cultural and artistic heritage. The event not only brought art to life but also sparked curiosity and appreciation for New Westminster’s vibrant history.

Presented by Arts New West, The New West Cultural Crawl is an annual arts & culture festival that celebrates and exhibits the vast creative talents across New Westminster. Artist studios and venues opened their doors for two days and welcomed thousands of visitors from across Metro Vancouver.

 🏢 Major Development Near SkyTrain to Focus on Climate Resilience and Reconciliation

The City of New Westminster’s plan to densify the area around the 22nd Street SkyTrain Station is part of a broader initiative outlined in the Official Community Plan (OCP). This area, already identified for higher-density development, benefits from its proximity to public transit and local amenities, making it a prime candidate for sustainable urban growth.

Following the City Council’s declaration of a climate emergency, a new framework has been adopted for this redevelopment, called the "Bold Vision for a Climate Friendly Future." This initiative aims to transform the area into a climate-resilient neighborhood where residents' lifestyles actively contribute to climate action. The vision encompasses not just sustainable development but also focuses on fostering reconciliation with First Nations communities, who have already expressed early interest in the project. This collaboration will integrate First Nations perspectives and prioritize reconciliation as a key part of the planning process.

Beyond environmental and cultural considerations, the Bold Vision will address community aspirations for a livable neighborhood with diverse housing options, affordability, improved safety for pedestrians and cyclists, and a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The City of New Westminster has committed to keeping the public informed through regular project updates and community engagement opportunities. In the meantime, no new rezoning applications will be considered until the vision is fully realized, although existing zoning regulations will remain in effect for ongoing development projects.

Check out the New West city page here. 

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