News release

For immediate release

Welcoming Earth Drums by Carey Newman - Canada 150 Public Art

Saanich, BC – The District of Saanich along with artist, Carey Newman, will be officially welcoming Earth Drums to Cedar Hill Park on September 27 and 28, 2019. The District is inviting the public to join in a short ceremony to unveil the permanent artwork or attend the community welcome during Culture Days.

The District’s public art jury selected Earth Drums to commemorate Canada’s 150th anniversary. Carey Newman (Hayalthkin’geme) designed Earth Drums to engage people in reconciliation by asking them to change their relationship with the land. The interactive artwork created with three large box drums, allows participants to make music with and for those around them while creating reverberations that resonate into the ground, making music for the earth.

Competition theme

The official theme for the project is Canada 150, which incorporates official themes identified by the federal government: diversity and inclusion; engaging and inspiring youth; our environment; and reconciliation with Indigenous peoples.

Artist’s concept

As noted by Carey: “This project engages both the community context of being a place that balances nature conservation and human habitation, and the competition theme of Canada 150, described in the public art proposal call. It addresses diversity and inclusion through being accessible to all ages, cultures, and abilities. It engages and inspires youth by representing them in the iconography, encouraging their participation, and considering their rights. Through the wider concept of changing our collective relationship with the land, it addresses the environment. Finally, as an artist approaching this through the duality of growing up with First Nations and settler heritage, it engages reconciliation with Indigenous peoples through the use of Indigenous perspective and iconography.”

Events

Official opening

Friday, September 27, 2019 from 3 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Cedar Hill Arts Centre, 3220 Cedar Hill Road.

Meet at Cedar Hill Arts Centre to officially unveil Earth Drums! The welcome and presentations will be followed by a short walk outside to the artwork site. The ceremony includes an opportunity to hear from the artist as well as a unique dedication for Earth Drums by Bradley Dick.

Culture Days welcome

September 28, 2019 from 1 p.m. - 2:30 p.m.

Cedar Hill Arts Centre, 3220 Cedar Hill Road.

This event is part of Culture Days and provides another opportunity to celebrate Earth Drums. The afternoon starts with a Lekwungen Traditional Dancers performance at Cedar Hill Arts Centre. From there, the Lekwungen Traditional Dancers will guide us on a short walk outside to the artwork site. There will be an opportunity to meet the artist and interact with the sculpture.

Further details and the history of the project can be found at saanich.ca/publicart.

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Media contact:
Kelsie McLeod
Communications Manager
kelsie.mcleod@saanich.ca
250-475-5494 ext. 3488