The Sunflower Skirts - The Wayfinder When Seniors Create Project

Sunflower Skirt Project, 2022

The Sunflower Skirts - The Wayfinder When Seniors Create Project

Gallery Vertigo, in partnership with Artist Michelle Loughery: The Wayfinder Sunflower Project, are proud to announce that they have received funding from the Government of Canada’s New Horizons for Seniors Program.

The funds will be used in contribution to create a community collaborative art installation that will fill the Gallery with multi-media art pieces. The installation will explore patterns and ornamentation on skirts that women have worn in their journeys in Canada.

The Sunflower Skirts project will engage and create cultural connections, with opportunities to engage in networking, volunteerism and connections with New Canadian Women of all ages. This senior-led project will build digital skills while sharing common experiences through inclusion and intergenerational skills exchange.

All ages will participate in flower, fabric, paint and other exploratory WAYFINDER art in action workshops that will result in an experience based art installation that will be displayed beyond the walls of the gallery. The Sunflower Skirts Stories will be shared on the Wayfinder Network Podcast AR:T ROUTE RADIO.

The Program is a federal grants and contributions program whose goal is to support projects that help improve the well-being of seniors and foster social inclusion and engagement in their communities.

“Art reflects life and portrays history through creating, viewing and responding to activities that provide both privateand shared experiences. People choose to live, work, and visit communities because of the presence of unique andattractive visual aspects.” “Thanks to the New Horizons for Seniors Program, North Okanagan Artists Alternative willmake a significant difference in the lives of seniors in our community.” - Brigitte Red, Gallery Vertigo.

“Community Art is about people having an effect on their cities, taking responsibility for their visual and physical environment, leaving records of their lives and concerns and in the process transforming neighborhoods, and sharing skills to create inspiring exchanges. It is art for the people of all ages to participate in.” - Master Artist Michelle Loughery and Founder Wayfinder.