2016... The Year Flew By!

Yes, the year flew by!

We settled into our new offices and enjoyed the larger spaces!

In August we celebrated 55 years of creating exhibits that tell unique and memorable stories as Jean Jacques Andre opened his studio on Government Street in 1961!

The year started as we embarked on new journeys with Jones and Jones Architects out of Seattle in creating the Concept Design for a new Cultural Center for the Santa Ynez Band of Chumash Indians and in creating an exhibit upgrade plan for the Yakama Nation.




We enjoyed working with our friends from Grand Ronde and helping them create concepts for their new exhibit space within a repurposed school building.  Workshops were inspirational and moving.

This year we've also had past clients come to us to enhance and update their exhibits. What a treasure it has been to look back and remember what we created together all those years ago.  What a privilege it is to look forward and help them revision their story and exhibits for the next generations.  Our friends at the Ziibiwing Center of Anishinabe Culture and Lifeways and the Tamastslikt Cultural Institute are keen to increase their relevancy to the changing attitudes of our times.

Upgrades should build on the exhibit strengths and enhance and update the storyline to incorporate more current issues, change of emphasis or point of view, using appropriate technologies.
Media and lighting upgrades are always top of the list as we assist clients (past and present) with museum conservation best practices and far more maintenance friendly methodologies.

Closer to home we have had the pleasure to help develop a master exhibition plan for the Qualicum Beach Museum and Archives and was able to develop further the Palaeontology Exhibit.  A real enjoyment to work with Wendy and Graham and help tell Graham's story as a local Qualicum Character and mover and shaker.

Relevant and remarkable has been working along side the White Mountain and San Carlos Apache through Fort Apache's Nohwike' Bagowa Museum to help develop their new Nest'an Exhibit teaching about Apache Health and Food.  Watch for its development in the new year!

Passionate for her community and the stories she and her team present, Kathryn Gagnon and the Cowichan Valley Museum and Archives are an example for small local history museums.  It has been an inspiration to work with Kathryn to help develop her storyline and a plan for the renewal and upgrade of her exhibits. We look forward to partner with her in early 2017 as our internship program assists in making part of her vision come to life.  Keep an eye on this little jewel!

As well as having the privilege of working on such exciting projects we have met new green goals with the majority of our team either biking or bussing to work!  We have also donated staff time and resources to a number of local projects.  One great pleasure was working with Kevin Neary, Jean Jacques and Joan André and Tom Palfrey as we all assisted in gathering and sharing essential information for the Royal BC Museum's History Project.

Yes, 2016 has been a remarkable year.  As artists and designers, storytellers and sculptors, we wish you all a peace-filled and creative 2017!

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”  

                             —Pablo Picasso

Wanapum Journey of Design and Fabrication: Tule Mat Lodge

Perhaps one of the most important structures for the Wanapum, it was built by them from tules they harvested and sewed together, in a particular configuration, with rodent-repelling hemp string that they collected and made to form the mats that cover the structure and serve as bedding within it.  This continuance of a tradition ensures that the younger Wanapum do not lose the knowledge or the realization of the importance of such a structure which would house both people and their ceremonial activities.  

Tule Mat Lodge Under Construction

Bianca Surveys Progress

Stove Installed

Close to Being Completed

Photo-mural Installation Completed

Tule mat Installation Complete

Mold for Horse in Nathan's Studio

Installation of Horse

Fixing it Down

Chris of CPS Adding the Sound Zone

The entrance to the lodge faces east, a tradition that allows the suns rays to penetrate into the lodge, and this effect has been simulated here.  The view from the lodge toward the diorama is one of the most compelling and stunning views in the exhibit.  Outside the lodge stands the figure of a horse, the ownership and use of which was, and still is, a corner-stone to the existence and survival of the Wanapum. 

Hard-packed earth floor and stone: Niche Design

Aging of stove and chimney: Creative Display Installations inc

Reader Rail: Formations Inc. and CPS Electronics Ltd.

Horse:  Sculpture By Nathan Scott

Horse Specialty Mount:  In Support of Difficult Art and Artifacts, Three Dimensional Services Ltd

Specialized Lighting Effects: CPS Electronics Ltd

Royal BC Museum voted Best in Canada

Voted best Museum in Canada!  
The Royal BC Museum's original permanent exhibits, designed by Jean Jacques Andre, and brought to life by his incredible team of talented young designers and artists, teach history through an immersive visitor experience. Check out the link.  http://www.timescolonist.com/business/royal-b-c-museum-voted-best-in-canada-1.2059932

42 Years Ago Today British Columbia Provincial Museum (BCPM) Opens History Gallery!

Jean Jacques sent a note today to remind us all that 42 years ago today the Modern History Gallery at the then BCPM opened to the public.  Now the Royal British Columbia Museum, the exhibits have stood the test of time.  Congratulations to Jean Jacques and the "Dream Team!" 

An original invitation to the opening

The Entrance to the Modern History Gallery 

Opening Day, July 7, 1972

A photo of Jean Jacques and the amazing exhibits team 

(taken a little after the opening of the Modern History Gallery).

This posting will morph and change in the days to come as we add a little more to celebrate the people that created the Royal BC Museum's permanent exhibits in the 1970s and 80s.  

Please add your stories to our blog.  What was it like working at the Museum in those days?  What was it like to be a visitor when the Modern History Gallery first opened?  We'd love to know how the exhibits impacted you.

Some Background on Isa Sevrain's Piece Mandala

Enjoy the short video that provides background on one of Isa's pieces in the show, Art Beyond Beauty.

Art Beyond Beauty... Opening Day!

A wonderful celebration of hope expressed!  Irma and Bianca gave a few speeches and artists were individually recognized and thanked with a gift from André & Associates.  Many Exhibition Catalogues were sold and there are still some left if you want to order them.  The catalogue gives the artist's in depth explanation of their pieces.

Please be sure to comment on Facebook or here on this blog!  

We'd love to hear your thoughts on the thee and the exhibition!

Grand Opening Celebration Wine & Cheese

Saturday, July 17th at 3:00 PM at the Legacy Art Gallery we will celebrate the official opening of Art Beyond Beauty: Hope in the 21st Century with a few short speeches and some wine and cheese.  It is by invitation only, so please print out a copy of the invitation and bring it along.  If you have problems printing it out, then a copy of this blog entry will do.

The artists will be in attendance.  We are all keen to hear your feedback, so please let us know.  Comment on any of our relevant blog entries, on Twitter, or on Facebook... or just simply give us a call or send us an email!  Looking forward to hearing from you!

It is Finished! Hope in the 21st Century

Art show opens today at 10 AM!
We hope to see you there!

Home Stretch for Art Show Installation!

Fun for the whole team... sunny day and a gallery around the corner...  and 18 hours 'til opening calls for ACTION!

Ashley and Andy haul plinths...

Delane installs his interactive piece...

while Yvette touches up some of the finer elements...

...Ashley and Tom install Jac's Work...

...and a gaggle of designers hold up this beautiful (but heavy) ceramic feature...

...I think Irma is having fun!

Free Spirit at the Royal British Columbia Museum

On March 13 we were happy to be part of the public opening of Free Spirit: Stories of You, Me and BC. It is a major feature temporary exhibition noting the 150th birthday of the province. As partners with the Museum on the interpretation and design of this exhibit, it was satisfying to see plans and elevations turn from ‘paper dreams’ into reality. The tone of the exhibit is one of celebration in a classy, museumy sort of way. Outstanding visual artifacts combine with historic items to project a personal history inclusive of British Columbia’s famous and us not-so-famous folk. You can be included in this history by telling your story on the Free Spirit website.

Feature elements include an overhead circular mural (by artists Carol Christianson and Rennie Knowlton) depicting the landscapes of the province. Centered beneath is a ‘tower’ of freestanding photographic images and some 3 dimensional surprises. Interactive elements complement and enrich the exhibit.