Union Gospel Mission opens Eastside Culture Crawl gallery to feature art and film created by DTES residents

Vancouver, BC—From November 21 to 23 the amenities room of Union Gospel Mission’s Downtown Eastside (DTES) housing complex will be transformed into an art gallery. Participating as part of Vancouver’s Eastside Culture Crawl, the gallery will feature works from UGM’s two flagship art programs (Photo 101 and Art from the Heart), which are taught by prominent local artists, as well as works from PHS’s The Window Community Art Shop, and Pivot Legal Society’s Hope in Shadows calendar project, a new participant from last year. The exhibition is entitled, “Uncovering Vision.”

UGM kicks off its Culture Crawl gallery with an opening event at 5PM on Friday, November 21. It is followed by the second screening of UGM’s first-ever documentary, Reflected Light: Exploring Photo 101 the Downtown Eastside at 6:30PM at Strathcona Church, located across the street from UGM. Media are welcome.

The Film

Reflected Light - UGM Documentary

Reflected Light chronicled participants through the seven week Photo 101 course, witnessed the ups and downs of the creative process and walked alongside the participants as they wrestled with their own complex relationship with the Downtown Eastside and how to convey their emotions through the medium of photography. It’s a 45 minute documentary and is certain to show you parts of the DTES like you’ve never seen it before. The advanced screening was first shown during Homelessness Action Week to a full house of 350 people at SFU Woodward’s.

The Exhibitors

Hope in Shadows – Pivot Legal Society

Hope in Shadows is a photography contest for low-income residents where disposable cameras are handed out to the community. Selected photos are printed in a book and calendar, showing the beauty in the neighborhood, and calendars are sold on the street by vendors, providing dignified income. This is the second year that Hope in Shadows is exhibiting in UGM’s gallery space.

The Window – PHS

The Window is a non-profit social enterprise showcasing art created and sold on the DTES. The Window sells thousands of hand-crafted items each year and involves more than 150 local artists.

Art from the Heart – UGM Women’s Programs

Art from the Heart is a program initiated and supported by international artist Pamela Masik, where art therapists help women voice their feelings through art and work through them in a constructive way.

Photo 101 – UGM Photography Program

Photo 101 is a program taught by esteemed photographers Kevin Clark and Leah Gregg. Available to UGM program participants, the course teaches photo composition and artistic vision, as well as historic themes in photography, as students explore their neighbourhood through the lens of a Holga camera.

EVENT #1 SUMMARY: The Gallery

What:          Opening Event: UGM Eastside Culture Crawl Kick-Off

Date:            Friday, November 21, 2014

Time:            5:00PM-6:00PM

Location:    Maurice McElrea Place, 361 Heatley Avenue, Vancouver

Details:        Short speeches; refreshments served thanks to H.A.V.E. Café catering and

Ethical Bean Coffee

Gallery Hours: View gallery and connect with the artists

• Friday, Nov. 21 - 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
• Saturday, Nov. 22 - 11:00AM to 6:00PM
• Sunday, Nov. 23- 11:00AM to 6:00PM

EVENT #2 SUMMARY: The Film

What:          Screening – Reflected Light: Exploring Photo 101 on the Downtown Eastside

Date:            Friday, November 21, 2014

Time:           6:30PM – 8:30PM (Doors open at 6PM)

Location:   Strathcona Church, 431 Princess Avenue

Details:       A 45 minute documentary showing the beauty of the DTES through the eyes of

residents as students learn photography.  After the screening, a panel and Q&A

with the cast and creators will take place.

RSVP & Info: www.ugm.ca/haw

Union Gospel Mission has been feeding hope and changing lives of men, women, youth, and children for over 70 years. Through its 7 locations in Metro Vancouver and the city of Mission, UGM provides counselling, education, safe housing, and alcohol and drug recovery to those struggling with poverty, homelessness, and addiction. The heart of the mission is to demonstrate God’s transforming love, ease the burden of the most vulnerable, rebuild the lives of the broken, and offer dignity to those who feel cast aside. To learn more, visit www.ugm.ca.