We have an exciting project in the works for Mill Lake park in Abbotsford, in conjunction with the BC Federation of Labour and the Sikh community. Below are some early mockups of the proposed design and some details about the project courtesy of the Abbotsford News.
Concept by Dean and Christina Lauzé. 3D visualizations by Moss Doerksen.
A plan to create a memorial for three female farmworkers killed in a tragic vehicle accident four years ago will go before Abbotsford council in the near future.
Last week, Jim Sinclair, president of the B.C. Federation of Labour, presented the idea of “The Golden Tree” to the Abbotsford parks and recreation commission, which voted to support the monument and recommend it to council. The Golden Tree would be a large metal sculpture that is an artistic representation of the three women, forever entwined, raising their arms to enlightenment and hope.
The concept was created after the women’s families told their stories to local artists Dean and Christina Lauze. “This will be a significant sculpture, 16 to 18 feet tall on a four-foot platform at Mill Lake,” explained Dean. He is no stranger to public art in Abbotsford, having created many murals and worked on the Unity Statue, located near city hall. This latest structure will consist of a steel frame, a heavy coat of fibreglass to create a hard shell, and it will be covered with gold leaf. “It will be a real golden tree.”
While yet to receive final approval for the location, Dean is optimistic the project will move forward. “We are ready to go. I’m really excited about this project.” Abbotsford Coun. Lynne Harris, who is also chair of the recreation commission, said the design was “beautiful.” “We (the commission) were very impressed with the presentation and think it will be a great piece.” It would serve as a reminder of a tragic incident and perhaps help prevent further tragedies.
On March 7, 2007 Amarjit Bal, Sarbjit Sidhu and Sukhvinder Punia died on their way to work while riding in an overloaded 15-passenger van. Following the incident, the families approached the federation for assistance in achieving their wish to create a memorial. The families’ desire was that the deaths of the women be remembered, and ultimately lead to improvements in the working conditions of all farmworkers.
If the sculpture receives council approval for the Mill Lake location, the families and the federation will begin the fundraising process. The plan is to unveil the monument in late 2012.
It’s been over a year since our last website update but that doesn’t mean nothing has been happening. D’Arts is still going strong, we’ve just been a bit lazy about uploading recent projects. But a fresh batch has just been uploaded. You can check out some of the new work from the Recent Projects section on the home page.
On the weekend of June 13 and 14, 2009, a series of events will be held to promote the revitalizing of the “Bottom of Seven” mural in historic downtown Abbotsford. These events are open to all fastball players (and enthusiasts) that have played out of Abbotsford.
About the Mural
Bottom of Seven, the mural, was painted in 1992 based on an oil painting by Dean Lauzé. The painting commemorates the great achievements of Abbotsford’s ‘86 and ‘87 Junior Men’s Fastball teams. Since its creation the mural has suffered under various elements including, at one point, a fire. Funds are needed to restore the mural to its former glory.
About the Events
On Saturday, June 13, from 3pm to 6pm a fastball reunion will be held at the new Duke of Dublin Pub, across the street from the mural. Dean Lauzé will be at the event selling signed reproductions of his original oil painting. Come and join the festivities. More details to come. Tickets to the Duke of Dublin are $8 each or two for $15. Proceeds of the event will go towards the revitalization of the fastball mural.
The next day, Sunday the 14th, will start off with a doubleheader at 1pm. Open to all previous Abbotsford fastball players and fans. Bringing back the glory days of Centennial Park, there will be a big BBQ and concession, beer garden, 50/50 draw, and announcers. Guaranteed to be great fun!!
As part of the Eagles in the City project for the British Columbia Lions Society, the Luongo Eagle was unveiled on December 20th, 2008, at GM Place.
Left to right: Canucks president Chris Zimmerman; Stephen Miller, president of the BC Lions Society; and artist Dean Lauzé
Eagles in the City is the third and final public art project and fundraiser by the Lions Society following the Orcas in the City and Spirit Bears in the City. The original eagle sculpture was designed by Judson Beaumont and then copies given to local artists to paint.
The Luongo Eagle, sponsored by the Vancouver Canucks, was designed and painted here at D’Arts in recognition of the team’s captain and goaltender Roberto Luongo.
If you are interested to see some behind the scenes action of what we do, you won’t want to miss this video that was just upload. You can view it at the bottom of the Tweedsmuir Secondary page.
