Creating Together, Apart

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Yukon Artists @ Work, "Creating Together, Apart," 2021

Due to recent COVID numbers the open house/art installation unveil that we had planned for June 30 has been cancelled. We invite the general public to come see the installation at their leisure over the next little while. 

“Creating Together, Apart”, a Community Project for Seniors, Results in Major Facelift for Whitehorse Art Gallery

The Yukon Artists at Work gallery (YAAW) in downtown Whitehorse is receiving a major facelift to the exterior of its building, thanks to the creative endeavours of seniors and funding from the federal government.

Throughout May and into June, artist members of YAAW worked with small groups of seniors and elders in Whitehorse, Tagish and Haines Junction to paint large plywood cut-outs of northern creatures and features. These included everything from moose and caribou to snow buntings and ravens; from a winter cabin scene to a starscape. The pieces are about to be assembled into an over-all art installation on the outside of the gallery for everyone to enjoy. For example a giant lynx will peek over the art gallery awning, and an eight foot porcupine will climb the chimney. The installation will be in place in the next couple of weeks.

Funding for the project was provided by the federal government’s New Horizons for Seniors project.

“COVID-19 has been isolating for many people; especially seniors,” Project Coordinator and YAAW member Leslie Leong said. “This was a way of bringing seniors and elders together in an inclusive way for social and fun events, while at the same time observing the COVID protocols to keep everyone safe.

“The people who participated in this project told us how much they enjoyed themselves. And the results are going to be wonderful! Our brightly coloured building will cheer people up even in the darkest days of winter,” Leong said.

Another aim of the project was to provide training for seniors who are YAAW members. For instance, one member learned how to use the program and equipment required to make the plywood cut-outs. Another member increased their knowledge of media technology by documenting the project through photos, short videos and stories from the workshop participants. The results can be found at: http://yaaw.com/events/creating-together-apart.

YAAW is also running a contest on Facebook and Instagram in connection with this project. Members of the public are asked to post a photo of their favourite element of the installation (ideally with themselves in the picture) with the hashtags #yukonartistsatwork and #yukonartistsatworkinstallation. All posts will be entered in a draw for a $50 gift certificate for the gallery. The contest runs from June 30 to August 30, 2021.