Abandoned X: Amercian

Stephanie Chan January 21, 2018

Another fun event out in Downtown Vancouver was the Opening Reception for photographer Antonia Jane Allan. Her show, Abandoned X: American, took place at MakeShift Spaces, a pop-up space dedicated to helping small businesses, artists, and speakers to achieve exposure.

It's been quite a while since I've attended an art show (my last gallery visit was at the VAG whom was hosting the dinner conference I was shooting...) and I am pretty sure that checking out more art is on my TO DO list for 2018. Antonia's scenes were rich in colour and textures. Abandoned places never lose their creepy interest. Seeing past lives decay and their spaces be left vulnerable to mother nature reminds us of our own temporary stay here. When we are gone, what is left behind of us? I've started reading becasue 2018 is also the year that I am trying to exchange scrolling for digesting actual physical books. One line I read the other night from The Essex Serpent is quite a fitting description for this Abandoned collection:

"All that is solid melts into air ... whole empires are brought down by nothing but ivy and time."

So very true.

More gallery shows and more books. 2018.

WILL ON ICE

Stephanie Chan January 19, 2018

The end of the year included a few events out in the city. It was a great opportunity to shoot in new spaces and escape the bubble of Tsawwassen. I arrived early to set up, enjoyed a nice chat with Lindsay Elliott in her cozy office, and arrived back to find that my buddy Mike from our ECIAD days, works for this company! It was a lovely surprise to catch up with him and his husband Ryan before photographing the evening. A few photos from this fun-loving group of creatives tearing it up during their year end Holiday Party at The Emerald.

Massacre at the Farm 2017

Stephanie Chan November 1, 2017

Interrupting my wholesome family feed with a few of my favourite moments from this year's Halloween Party at School House Farm! So many terrific costumes and the decor was outstanding!

Indigo Workshop with School House Farm

Stephanie Chan September 29, 2017

My heart is singing. This is the beginning of many more workshops to come! Emily and I joined forces to offer an Indigo Dyeing Workshop to take place at School House Farm that included a phenomenal spread of appetizers, dessert and a Fall Inspired Cocktail for all our guests! In typical Emily fashion, she decked out the area with bouquets of sunflowers and dahlias and a few of her first pumpkins of the season! The majority of the food was produce she had sown, grown, and harvested this year: pickled garlic scapes, beans, and cucumbers, a kale and yellow zucchini quiche, roasted garlic paired with select cheeses and freshly baked baguettes were just a few of the appetizers. Vodka was infused with farm pears over the week leading up to the event and then mixed with a homemade rosemary syrup and soda. Dessert included an apple galette, homemade whipping cream, chocolate zucchini loaf, and fresh strawberries. I know. Amazing.

We gathered in a circle where I went through the indigo process and ladies got straight to work creating their designs with elastics, clothespins, string, and tongue depressers. Patiently, we worked in two groups taking turns to dip and expose their pieces until it was time for the final reveal. Just like snowflakes, no two are ever the same, each one so unique and magical in its creation. The scarves were hung to dry across a makeshift clothesline that Kevin helped set up using twine and the easels he had designed for Paint Night.

I couldn't have been happier with the attendees for this first Adult Workshop! So many familiar faces who have been so kind in supporting my passion to make creativity an accessible priority in life over the last 2 years. I can not tell you how much it means to have this support and to know that I am able to provide a service to others. Thank you to everyone who participated, I am still reeling with joy from this first successful experience! Thank you!!!

Harvest Fest 2017

Stephanie Chan September 18, 2017

Oh, Harvest Fest, how I looked forward to you every year! The fire fighters serving canapes, the strung lights, the generosity of the raffles prizes, the abundance of delicious food, and of course the mechanical bull. It is such an incredibly fun event, but beyond the fun is the Delta Firefighter's heartfelt cause to support the Delta R.E.A.C.H. Childhood and Youth Program that has been in place since 1959. This year's cause:

Our primary beneficiary for this year is Delta Reach Child and Youth Development Society. Harvest Festival will raise money to help them finalize their Capital Campaign to raise money to complete a Child Development Centre in the heart of Delta.

Since 1959 Reach Society has been making a difference in the lives of children with special needs and their families. Building a child development centre in the heart of the community will give more children at all stages of childhood better access to the critical services they need, and link families to other community services more efficiently and effectively.

The new Reach Centre replaces Ladner Kinsmen House at 47th avenue and neighbours the Ladner Pioneer Library, Memorial park, Delta Secondary School, Ladner Community Centre and other community services, creating a network of community supports working together to benefit children of all ages and their families..

I love being part of this small community where everyone knows each other and is always willing to provide support where it is needed. This event is just once terrific example of how much we can do as a community when we all pitch in.