On behalf of the Everett Crowley Park Committee (ECPC) I invited local eco-artist Erica Mulder to lead us in a natural wreath making workshop. This workshop brought together a group of diverse local community members to engage them holistically with the intersections between art, ecology, placemaking, and community. This workshop offered an opportunity to learn more about native and invasive species and the complex history of Everett Crowley Park from a Musqueam village, Tsukhulehmuth, to a historic landfill, to the site it is today – in a state of ecological recovery.
The materials for this workshop were collected from Everett Crowley Park by Erica. Native species such as Douglas Fir, Cedar and Red Alder were collected from windfall branches from the forest floor, and invasive species such as English Holly were removed from the park to help with ECPC’s restoration efforts. Erica led us through a demonstration of how to weave together a ring made from invasive English Ivy and then to build up our wreaths by selecting and adding different plant species.
The ability to offer indoor workshops in the wintertime helps provide a more accessible way to engage the local community with nature. Erica Mulder facilitated a welcoming space with creative knowledge sharing, and provided an opportunity for every participant to take home a small piece of nature that represents celebrating winter, plants, and their own artistic exploration. Not only did this workshop provide space for creativity, but it also encouraged sustainable celebration of traditional festivals and practices for reducing waste in a meaningful, fun and creative way.
During this workshop we provided snacks and tea, which gave participants the time to chat and build connections with their neighbours and local community. This also provided a space for holistic knowledge sharing about art and ecology between participants who were both newcomers and regulars.
I would like to thank the Champlain Heights Community Centre for providing the space to hold this workshop and Neighbourhood Small Grants for helping provide an honorarium for the artist Erica Mulder.
