Engaging with art is an incredibly rewarding, inspiring & connective experience - especially when you're creating it! We're thrilled to offer the community opportunities to help create temporary public art. Through open calls for expressions of interest, professional artists are commissioned to design innovative & interactive art pieces that will live outdoor, near the Silk Purse for a limited time. Whether murals or sculptures, these works of art aren't complete until you add your creative touch. Everyone is welcome to join in the art making process; engaging the artwork & it's themes; learning some artistic skills; exploring your creativity; & connecting with community.

Grassqawtch

August 2, 2024 - June 15, 2025

North Shore artist Robert Turriff conceived & designed this work of interactive temporary public art to inspire dialogue on the impacts of climate change & the importance of environmental stewardship & restoration through a collaborative planting project.

Grassqutwch Farewell

Sun. June 15, 12:30 - 1:30 pm
John Lawson Park, next to the Silk Purse

Grassqawtch has been a beloved fixture of the local waterfront since August 2024. Every weekend, from August 2 - September 6, the community was invited to be a part of the creative process & help Grassqawtch come to life by planting native grasses into the sculpture. Every week, as more grass was planted & continued to grow, the Grassqawtch became a verdant, eye-catching figure in the park that was irresistible to visitors. This work of interactive temporary public art inspired the community to have a dialogue on the impacts of climate change & the importance of environmental stewardship & restoration through a collaborative planting project.

Now it's time to wish Grassqawtch farewell. Join us on June 15 to get one last look & meet artist Robert Turriff. From 12:30 to 1:30 pm, Robert will be onsite to dismantle his incredible sculpture & chat with visitors.

You can also take a piece of Grassqawtch home! Bring a small pot or bucket & receive some of the grass & soil that has been growing since last August. The grass used, carex pachystachya, is a drought tolerant grass that grows naturally throughout the West Coast in a variety of grassland & forest habitats.

A friendly creature of the land, the Grassqawtch is a 7' tall sculpture composed of steel, shade cloth & pockets of soil who needs our help growing his 'hair'. Throughout August, the community is invited to plant native grasses into the sculpture's soil pockets covering the Grassqawtch. As the project progresses, the Grassqawtch will come to life, becoming fuller & vibrant as it is covered in grass/hair.

The grass used, carex pachystachya, is a drought tolerant grass that grows naturally throughout the West Coast in a variety of grassland & forest habitats. Participants will have to opportunity to learn about native grasses suitable for sustainability in light of climate change, raising awareness of the benefits of using & preserving native plants.

Creating something unique & beautiful together as a community reminds us of the cooperation necessary to safeguard our planet. Seeing the Grassqawtch's hair grow in a tangible way as a group effort, reminds us to work together to maintain & care for the environment around us.

Unveiling Friday, August 2

Grassqawtch was unveiled to the public with artist Robert Turriff, who shared his inspirations & artistic process. The first community artists planted the Grassqawtch's 'hair'.
Kolten Grant, Squamish, Icelandic, St'at'imc, Kwakwaka'wakw & Tlinglit artist performed a blessing song to commemorate the  unveiling.

Community Collaboration Events 

Every weekend in August, the community was invited to be a part of the creative process & help Grassqawtch come to life by planting native grasses into the sculpture. Every week, as more grass was planted & continued to grow, the Grassqawtch became a verdant, eye-catching figure in the park that was irresistible to visitors.

About the Artist

Robert Turriff grew up playing in the forests of North Vancouver, developing an early fascination with plants & forests. He shares a love for gardening with his wife, & together, they have cultivated a remarkable garden. Robert began his sculpting studies with a studio art diploma at Capilano University. He entered the world of film, working as a sculptor's assistant & learning from accomplished colleagues & classically trained sculptors from Europe, the UK, & the USA. His film experience included building sets, ranging from futuristic spaceships to Egyptian-themed environments & everything in between. While working in film, Robert often replicated elements such as trees, rocks, & caves. 

Seeking to expand his artistic horizons, he took a break from the film industry & pursued a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree from the Alberta University of the Arts. As a mature student with hands-on skills, he effectively utilized his expertise to create large-scale installations. After completing his BFA, Robert returned to the film industry but found its demands unsustainable. Subsequently, he transitioned to working with other artists & established his own studio practice. Currently, Robert focuses on creating welded art. He has had the opportunity to assist many world-renowned artists in the creation of their artwork. He now works at UBC in the School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, assisting students in the creation of models to full-sized design builds. 

The West Vancouver Community Arts Council gratefully acknowledges the following for their partnership & support of the 2024 Community Art Project

PREVIOUS COMMUNITY ART PROJECTS

2023 Tree Build

2022 Rising Tides

2021 In Your Hands

2020 Orca

2019 CONNECT