Dwelling

Since 2006, Red Dress Productions has partnered with Bleecker Co-op and more than 300 co-op member contributors on the creation of three large-scale community-engaged public artworks. The most recent work, Dwelling, emerged from the Bleecker Co-op Memorial Project that celebrates and memorializes founding co-op manager and human rights activist Diane Frankling.

Dwelling represents an evolution of form into visual interdisciplinarity. Beyond the 2-dimensional mosaic mural that had been originally conceived, the 14’ x 4’ piece is an architectural mixed media work that includes wood construction;… Read more The Legacy Project: A Community Storytelling

Red Dress Productions developed and led the Bleecker Co-op Memorial Project, an immersive and collaborative creative process that engaged contributors – co-op members, staff, directors, and neighbours – from October 2011 to March 2012.

We began with several conceptual development open-call consultations that featured arts-based research. Activities included telling stories, brainstorming, and exploring visual representations of our ideas using oil pastel, mixed media, styrofoam plate carving and printing on fabric and paper, and collage. 

The artwork site (Bleccker Co-op’s lobby)
prior to creation and installatio

We also examined the space that the artwork would ultimately live in,

… Read more Dwelling: Bleecker Co-op Memorial Project

A big thank you to the many contributors and community members who joined the unveiling and reception of the Bleecker Co-op Memorial Project on March 25, 2012.

Special thanks to Ryan Hayward for event production, and David Garcia for developing a visual installation mapping 20 years of Bleecker Street Co-operative history.

Anna Camilleri and Tristan R. Whiston (speaker)

Dorian Johnson (speaker), Youth Apprentice

artwork title suggestions

… Read more Bleecker Co-op Memorial Project Unveiling

… Read more Bleecker Co-op Memorial Project Open Studio

… Read more Bleecker Co-op Memorial Project Open Studio

There are so many moments of appreciation, learning, and joy in a community engaged project;  here at Bleecker Co-op this especially true because of the legacy of artistic and community collaboration.

As we enter the second week of open studio, we’d like to recognize Ryan Hayward for his work on promotions and outreach, and  Michael Dion for preparing delicious and wholesome food for us. As the saying goes, it takes a village.

… Read more Bleecker Co-op Memorial Project Open Studio

… Read more Welcome to Bleecker Co-op Memorial Project Open Studio!

Making the bear “cartoon” for custom tile fabrication in Bleecker Co-op’s ceramic studio.

A team of five artists — Tristan R. Whiston, Anna Camilleri, Henry Campos, Katie Yealland, and Chantelle Gobeil — worked on fabrication for two very exciting and labour intensive weeks in order to prepare for opening the studio to community contributors on January 29.

Clay slab fabricaton.

 The 24 piece cartoon is labeled so that nothing is lost in the collaboration between … Read more Fabrication and Prep for the Bleecker Co-op Memorial Project