The Legacy Project at the Alder Street Recreation Centre
The provincially-recognized and award-nominated artwork installation Legacy produced by Ken Hall will be on display at the Alder Street Recreation Centre until March 16, 2015. The Legacy project officially opens on Friday, December 19 from 5-6:30 p.m. and will feature a talk with artist Ken Hall about his decision to create the piece and its personal and cultural significance. The event will also feature a ribbon-cutting ceremony, light refreshments, and children’s activities.
Winner of the 2013 Orangeville Arts & Culture Award for “Best Creative Cultural Event,” Legacy was born when Ken Hall heard a story in 2002 about the body of a female killer whale being found stranded on the North Olympic Peninsula in Washington State. Upon further investigation it was learned that the whale’s body carried one of the most toxic loads of chemicals ever recorded in a marine mammal. Local children who learned about her story gave her the name “Hope.”
Inspired by the story Mr. Hall created a life-sized anatomically correct killer whale skeleton, carved entirely from reclaimed cedar — sourced from used siding and decking materials. The Legacy project tours museums and art galleries across Canada and the art installation is a compelling experience that invites visitors to explore the fragile nature of our complex ecosystems.
Founder and president of DAREarts Marilyn Field was impressed with the educational aspects of the exhibit and has partnered with Ken Hall to use Legacy as the inspiration for the 2014 DARE2Draw Art Card program. The DARE2Draw program uses education and arts to empower youth in our community and helps youth to see beyond their own life challenges, learn about the environment and raise awareness and funding that supports children in our First Nations, Metis and Inuit (FNMI) communities.
The Legacy project was initially launched in north Dufferin so a centralized location such as the Alder Street Recreation Centre was an ideal facility in which to display the artwork installation through the winter months. In addition to groups participating in the DARE2Draw Art Card program the Legacy project will be available for all children and youth using the centre for activities such as fitness, library services, swimming or skating.
For more information about the Legacy project or to get involved with the DARE2Draw program visithttp://www.kenhallart.com/gallery_legacy.shtml or http://www.darearts.com/index.shtml.