The artist-focused Blue Cabin program has been launched in Richmond after it was floated to Steveston earlier this year.
The Blue Cabin, which sat on the North Shore for almost 100 years, has been situated on a barge and serves as an artist in residency venue.
After being brought to Imperial Landing in January, it was officially launched on March 12 by Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie, Musqueam weaver Debra Sparrow – the first artist-in-residence - and Blue Cabin founding member Glenn Alteen.
The Blue Cabin is a mobile artist residency that provides a space for regional, national and international artists to research and make art, engage with local arts communities, create dialogue and expand audiences for contemporary art.
The Blue Cabin was located in Cates Park in North Vancouver since 1932, first as a home to maritime labourers. It was then used by local artists Al Neil and Carole Itter starting in the 1960s.
The cabin was slated for demolition in 2014, but was saved by a group of arts organizations and made into the floating artist-in-residency that it is now.
In 2019, it was brought to False Creek in Vancouver for its inaugural artist in residency program. Imperial Landing in Steveston is the second place it is moored at, and it’s expected to be there for two years.
The cabin offers programming that educates the public about the region’s foreshore history and the communities connected to it.
Brodie highlighted the role of art in activating local histories, noting the unique position of the Blue Cabin to engage with Richmond’s waterfront communities and the area’s heritage.
Sparrow will be the Blue Cabin’s first artist in residence at Imperial Landing, located in traditional Musqueam fishing territory.
Her residency will run from April 3 to May 21 and will include opportunities for the public alongside her weaving projects.
