Street banners designed by UFV students will be raised on Montrose Avenue in historic downtown Abbotsford on Thursday, Sept 26.
The Banners & Banter celebration of public art runs from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Open Space (33765 Essendene Ave).
This celebration results from a CEWIL-funded WIL project in UFV’s Geography/Graphic Design 464 Community Planning and Development: Local Applied Studio course in summer 2024. It represents the first collaboration between UFV’s newly established Bachelor of Regional and Community Planning (BRCP) program and the Graphic and Digital Design (GDD) department. UFV’s Centre for Experiential and Career Education has been instrumental in securing this federal funding.
From May to June 2024, UFV students explored human-centred design and sustainable development while addressing the challenges of activating underutilized public spaces. Students proposed the concept of ongoing activations under the name Arts in the Alley.
With the support of local businesses and featuring refreshments from Banter Ice Cream and The Pastry Portal, they planned an inaugural public gathering in Steam Alley on June 25, engaging community members through live music, local art, and face painting.
Arts in the Alley was a successful showcase for connecting the community through art activation. Public art is vital in promoting sustainability and resiliency, telling the community’s story to visitors, and fostering a sense of pride and belonging among residents. Students collaborated with Tourism Abbotsford, the Abbotsford Historic Downtown Business Association, and UFV faculty to design and produce street banners that showcase selected art from that event.
Thu, Sept 26, 2024
5:30 to 7:30 pm
Open Space at 33765 Essendene Ave in downtown Abbotsford
For more information, contact Jennifer Deon at jennifer.deon@ufv.ca
09/27/2024