Love Lives Here - Art Initiative July 2021

After the tragic stabbings and killing that rocked our little Lynn Valley community in March 2021, the community was left reeling from disbelief and grief as many where left injured and one young woman was killed. When this type of hate-filled event happens so close to home and at our local library one wonders where it is safe. Not only was everyone dealing with the hardships of a pandemic this violent hate crime was horror upon horror.

I had some leftover funds from a United Way Local Love Grant I had been awarded to help foster community love and connection safely during a pandemic. I conducted a successful 80 plus person zoom paint party with free painting materials distributed to 30 people in the Lynn Valley Community thanks to United Way of the Lower Mainland and Opus Art Supplies.

After the March tragedy I felt Lynn Valley needed something creative that would cover the site of such hate with love and color. I have been blessed with painting helping me through my own grief and today with difficult emotions. Art will say what your heart feels when words just don't come. I wanted our Lynn valley community to have a way to express their grief and love together. I wanted those affected who are healing and grieving to know that they are not forgotten nor alone.

We began planning and the initiative was super popular with all blocks gone within 6 hours. I quickly began searching for a new sponsor and Lynn Valley's very own Lorne MacInnes owner of Ferguson Moving and Storage, when asked if he could sponsor more materials he said, "let's do this! How much do you need?" With his support and again, Opus Art Supplies we were able to double the size of this project. With varnishing completed installation of the art initiative will happen this coming Friday, July 23, 2021. Please come by and see the amazing work of so many artists at the Lynn Valley district library. We are giving our love, light and energy to those directly and indirectly affected. We care and are confident that love conquers all. Thank you to all who supported and participated.