"OUR FOOD: Then and Now" Event Wrap-Up

The first annual "OUR FOOD: Then and Now" collaboration between the Sunshine Coast Museum & Archives, the Arts Building, and the One Straw Society was a grand success, both in terms of its goal of raising awareness about the history, local character and art of food production on the Sunshine Coast, and also by raising funds for the "Food For All Coupon Program".  Through events such as the Hootenanny Dinner & Dance, a silent auction of local food-inspired art, a series of art & food arts workshops, and two evenings of films and discussion, our community contributed enough funds to support 31 weeks worth of food coupons that will be distributed to under-resourced families so that they can access local, nutritious food at farmers' markets.  That's enough to feed 2.5 families for the full season with healthy food!

Our three collaborating organizations were so pleased with both the process and the outcomes that we're excited to start working together for next year's project, which will again include an exhibit at the Museum on the culture & history of food production on the Coast, a kick-off dinner & dance featuring an auction of local artists' works, and several awareness-raising and skill-building workshops, not only in Gibsons, but at locations throughout the Coast.

Special thanks go out to all the volunteers, artists and local businesses who generously donated their time and products to support this endeavour - and heartfelt appreciation to everyone who participated and helped make our pilot year such a success!  We had a blast, and we hope you did too.
If you'd like more information on the Food For All Coupon Program, or would like to donate to support a family, contact nadi@onestraw.ca.
 

For more information on our societies, visit our websites:  www.sunshinecoastmuseum.ca, www.artsbuilding.org, www.onestraw.ca

Anniversary Celebrations!

George and Charlotte Gibson Day

125th Anniversary

1886-2011

Saturday, May 28th , 2011

from 12:30 pm to 4:00 pm

The cast of "A Day in the Life of George and Charlotte"

George and Charlotte Gibson Day is our annual event commemorating the arrival of the Gibson family to West Howe Sound in 1886. This year is the 125th anniversary! To celebrate this historic occasion, we have invited local playwright Robert MacDonald and Actor/Director David Short to produce “A Day in the Life of George and Charlotte”, along with children from the Driftwood Theater School. Starting at the shores of Armours Beach, George and Charlotte land in the boat Swamp Angel and start their journey up the hill to the museum where the drama begins. There will be live music and a Town Crier narrating as George & Charlotte, along with their two boys and six daughters, re-enact a typical day in the 1880’s, dressed in period costumes and using artifacts from the Museum.


After the performance, we’ll have cake and refreshments, live music, and a slide show on the history of Gibsons. You will have a chance to meet some of the living descendants of the Gibsons and other pioneer families, as well as our new Board of Directors.


Come on out, support your museum, and learn more about our local history!


The procession route from Armours Beach to the Museum

                                                                 



Schedule of Day’s Events

12:30 pm to 1:30 - Armours Beach to Sunshine Coast Museum:
A historical re-enactment of the landing of the Swamp Angel and the arrival of the Gibson Family at Armours Beach and then a procession through town as the family travels from the beach up to the Museum along Marine Drive and Gower Point Road.

1:30 pm to 2:00 pm – in front of the Museum:
A performance by Matthew Lovegrove on acoustic guitar and Bruce Devereux as Town Crier, narrating the historic landing of George Gibson 125 years ago and a re-enactment of “A Day in the Life of George and Charlotte” by actors David Short, Roza Rogers, and the Driftwood Theater School.

2:00 pm to 4:00 pm – in the Museum:
Open House with tea, cake, and other refreshments, live music, and a slide show.




Get Ready!!

A historical reenactment featuring a boat landing and a pack mule journey through lower Gibsons? A theatrical account of the Gibsons family arrival set to live backing music? Free snacks, refreshments and cake at the SCMA Open House? Get Ready! This year we celebrate the 125th Anniversary of George and Charlotte Gibsons Day with an extra special celebration.

STAY TUNED!! 

Innovation, Evolution, and Relevence: 2011 Annual General Meeting

 The skies broke after a deluge of rain, and a warm breeze blew through lower Gibsons as we commenced our 2011 Annual General Meeting on Wednesday April 27th. Executive Board President Mike Clement started the night off by discussing the hard work of the board, staff members and volunteers in their various roles to ensure the successful operation of the SCMA. It was evident by Mike's passionate speech that 2011 will be a great year of evolution and innovative endeavors at the SCMA which will in turn solidify our role as a heritage leader on the Sunshine Coast.

Lorraine Goddard, Carol Service and Mike Clement:  greetings!

Presenting on behalf of Curator Kimiko Hawkes, Museum Assistant Matthew Lovegrove followed with a slide show that outlined all of the activities, events, and notable exhibits  of the past year. He discussed the need for deep community collaboration, innovative exhibits, and relevant public programming and touched upon an exciting upcoming exhibit co-curated with the  Squamish First Nations.

Treasurer Lorraine Goddard then gave a brief run-down of our financial position followed by Jon Hird who presented a short documentary about behind the scenes exhibit development at the Museum.

Anxiously Awaiting the Good News!

Following the presentations, the Annual Election was held.  Mike thanked the two outgoing board members and welcomed the three incoming members to the new 2011 SCMA board.  
Mike ended the evening off with some closing comments and invited the audience to get involved in the life of the Museum,  thus highlighting our 2011 vision: This is your Museum: Get Involved!


It was apparent in all of the presentations last night that this is going to be a defining year in the evolution of the Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives. What do you want to see happen with your community museum?

Had a hoot at the Hootenanny!

Matthew Lovegrove and Lindy Gray
of Woodland Telegraph

On behalf of the Sunshine Coast Museum and Archives, I want to thank all those that made the Saturday night Hootenanny a success: to everyone who came out and took part in the event; to Matthew Lovegrove and Lindy Gray for the wonderful music; to Barb Higgins for sharing her knowledge; to all those who cooked the food; to those who helped set up and clean up; and to volunteer Ann Tasker for keeping the museum doors open for the event.

As workplace neighbors, Arts Building director Georgina Brandon and I would often see each other and talk about collaborating on a project together. We did some brainstorming and at one point, the question was asked “What did people eat for dinner back in the old days?” We invited Nadi Fleschhut from One Straw Society to join the team, brainstormed some more, and decided to take a look at food from multiple perspectives – historically, artistically, and in the current context of the local 'food movement'.

Over the last few months Georgina, Nadi and I have done a lot of meeting, emailing and organizing to get this all in place. It has been really exciting to collaborate with these other organizations and realize a shared goal. The energy that is created when people come together is truly amazing – things really happen! A group of children dug up and planted a community garden, people created works of art, delicious traditional recipes have been made, stories are being told, new faces are turning up at the museum, and communities are coming together.



Miro Hawkes with a bowl of
salmon chowder and borsht



The mantra in the museum world these days is “stay relevant”. This exhibit has really hit the nail on the head. It is an extremely relevant topic and by having this exhibit at the museum, we hope to serve as a place to remember, to discover, and to imagine. For us to continue to do this kind of public programming, we need the support of the diverse communities that exist on the Coast. Get involved, volunteer, become a member, have a voice and let us know what you think!

Nina and Amanda-Rae enjoying the festivities

Busy volunteers in the kitchen.

 Great turnout!