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Care about the arts? Roll up your sleeves again, Big Mouth

WORDS: Polina Bachlakova Real Estate. Development. Condos. Those are three terms that seem to constantly be on the tips of Vancouverites' tongues - especially for those in the arts.

WORDS: Polina Bachlakova

Real Estate. Development. Condos. Those are three terms that seem to constantly be on the tips of Vancouverites' tongues - especially for those in the arts. Vancouver is small enough to have disparate elements of its identity and growth intertwine with each other in an unexpected and accelerated fashion; currently, we are faced with record breaking house prices in the midst of a struggling art economy. Where the relationship between art and real estate may seem intangible and unclear, there is much to be said about this relation and the factors driving each. How does foreign real estate investment influence a gallery's life span or an artist's career? Why did many of Vancouver's top galleries evacuate the South Granville Gallery District and head east of Main? What's stopping people from investing in art the same way they invest in condos? There are many questions about the curious relationship between art and real estate in the most expensive city on earth. Big Mouth No. 2 will showcase seven unique perspectives from some of Vancouver's thought leaders to paint a bigger picture of the role of art in our rapidly developing city.

Throughout the evening, seven speakers will give the audience their insights and perspectives on art and real estate in Vancouver. The speakers are:

Michael is Principal at Michael Green Architecture, and is recognized for his award winning buildings, public art, interiors, landscapes, and urban environments. He previously led design at mgb Architecture + Design for nine years. He recently co-authored a 200-page solution for sustainable building, “The Case for Tall Wood Buildings”, and presented it at TED2013. He teaches at SALA, the UBC School of Architecture, and is a fellow of the Royal Architectural Society of Canada.

Michael Green - Principal, Michael Green Architecture

   

Mark is Director of River Market at The Quay, a community and food oriented development in New Westminster that aims to build, strengthen and enrich New Westminster by reimagining the old Quay. Mark’s career has included experiences as a Disney Imagineer and as the Director of User Research at ECCO Design in New York. He is a boardmember for both the Contemporary Art Gallery and Building Opportunities with Business. He currently serves on City of New Westminster’s Economic Development Advisory Committee, and is Vice-Principal of Strathcona’s community hub, School of Chalk.

Mark Shieh - Director, River Market at The Quay

   

Ron is President and Vice Chancellor of Emily Carr University of Art + Design. He has authored various respected publications, such as 2005’s “How Images Think”, and has published over 150 articles and book chapters. He is the Former Director of the Graduate Program in Communications at McGill University, and in 2010, he received the “Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres”, a knighthood from the French Government in recognition of his 40 years of work in culture. He has been Educator of the Year in Canada and is a recipient of the Queen’s Jubilee Medal for service to Canada. He was the Chair of Knowledge Network for four years, and is one of the founders of film studies in Canada.

Ron Burnett - President and Vice Chancellor, ECUAD

   

Heather is Executive Director of The Cultch, Vancouver’s East Cultural Centre. She was previously the Executive Director for Vancouver’s Alliance for Art and Culture, an artistic producer for Catalyst Theatre in Edmonton, and a board chair of the Magnetic North Theatre Festival. She has served at the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres and the Edmonton Arts council. She is a recipient of the Mallory Gilbert Leadership Award, and in 2010, was named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Women in BC by The Vancouver Sun. Heather’s team at The Cultch recently acquired the historic York Theatre off of Commercial Drive.

Heather Redfern - Executive Director, The Cultch

   

Steven is Principal and Creative Director of Cause+Affect, one of Vancouver’s leading multidisciplinary creative agencies. He is also a former architect with twelve years of experience in Architecture and Design. Cause+Affect are the producers of PechaKucha Vancouver, so you may recognize Steven as the host of PechaKucha. Steven sits on the advisory board for the Vancouver Film School, and acts as an external consultant to many of Vancouver’s real estate developers.

Steven Cox - Principal, Cause+Affect & Producer, PechaKucha Vancouver

   

Originally from Mexico but transplanted to Vancouver in 2006, Ernesto is a Michelin-trained chef and the Co-Owner of Nuba Restaurant. He is also a Founding Partner of Waldorf Productions, which has recently turned into Arrival Productions since The Waldorf's closure. Arrival will be taking on numerous exciting projects such as Khatsahlano Festival, Food Cart Festival, and The Fox Cabaret - the transformation of Main Street's Fox Theatre into a venue.

Ernesto Gomez - Co-Owner, Nuba Restaurant + Founding Partner, Arrival Agency (formerly Waldorf Productions)

   

Donald Luxton is a Heritage Consultant and advocate. He is the Principal of Donald Luxton & Associates Incorporated, a cultural & heritage planning consulting firm. He is the President of Heritage Vancouver and a member of the Canadian Association of Heritage Professionals. In 2009, he received the British Columbia Heritage Award. He is an honorary member of the BC Society of Landscape Architects and a Fellow of Architecture Canada.

Donald Luxton - Heritage Consultant + President, Heritage Vancouver

WHERE: Macaulay Fine Art, 293 East 2nd Ave

WHEN: Thursday, April 25, 7:00-10:00

HOW MUCH: Free (SOLD OUT but limited tickets will be released at the door)

Facebook event: fb.com/events/144458722393954/

Curated by Polina Bachlakova