In partnership with Dragon Boat BC, Parq Vancouver is showcasing artwork from the vault of the Legacy Collection of the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society. These one-of-a-kind pieces will be on display until February 22, marking only the second time many of these artifacts have been available for viewing in the last few decades. We chatted with Parq VP marketing Karen Gray to find out more. —Vita Daily
Hi Karen! Please tell us a bit about yourself to start
Hi! I’m originally from Sydney in Australia and moved here in 2007. I’m now a proud Canadian. I love Vancouver: our city, the people and our lifestyle. Community is very important for me and that’s why our relationship with a great community organization like Dragon Boat BC is so important.
How is Parq teaming with Dragon Boat BC in February?
Parq Vancouver has been proud to be a partner of Dragon Boat BC for a number of years. As part of our friendship with them, we are hosting an exhibit of one of a kind art pieces from their Legacy Collection. These pieces are really special, and seldom seen publicly. They have only been on display one other time in the last 20 years.
What exactly is the “vault” of the Legacy Collection of the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society?
Over the decades, artwork was commissioned by the Canadian International Dragon Boat Festival Society to celebrate the spirit of dragon boat. While the pieces all began in Vancouver, some of them have traveled around the world to be exhibited in different places. During the setup, some of them were still in their original wooden crates with airline stamps saying where each artefact had been.
What artworks will be on display?
On display are five colourful dragon boat heads from different generations of boats including the first dragon boats used in Canada during Expo 86, a delicate intricately engraved tea set, a pink jade dragon boat trophy, a pure filigree silver model boat and an elaborately crafted bronze lantern.
Where and when can we view the art?
We have dedicated a part of our third floor casino for this pop-up exhibit. Adjacent to Luna, our high limit slots salon, it’s a lovely well-lit, spacious exhibit area. There’s a lot of room for people to take their time enjoying the art pieces while physically distancing.
Do you have a favourite piece that we can look out for?
There is a beautiful signature bronze lantern that was made by the same artist who designed the dragons that hang on the lampposts in the streets of Chinatown. As a longtime Vancouver resident, it brings back fond memories of roaming the neighbourhood. Parq Vancouver is also a committed partner of the Vancouver Chinatown Foundation and this lantern reminds me of the rich local cultural heritage that is in our very backyard.
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