221A Interview Series: Julia Chirka

December 5, 2023

Julia Chirka is a ceramic artist, educator and 221A studio tenant. She initiated her practice at the Shadbolt Centre in 2007 and is largely autodidactic in her creative process. As the Co-Founder of Summer Skool, a ceramics studio in Vancouver with an extra supportive environment, she’s been hosting workshops alongside Co-Founders Maggie Boyd and Glenn Lewis since 2015. Julia is a member of the musical groups p:ano and hello blue roses, and was a cast member of the wildly popular 2009 Vancouver PuSh Festival musical, “in the yard havin’ fun.” She is a recent graduate of farm school, and has an adoration for digging around in the dirt. 221A spoke with Julia at her studio at 1654 Franklin St. 

Read More

221A Launches Cultural Land Trust

December 5, 2023

Brian McBay, 221A Executive Director, speaks at a panel at Community Land Trust Summit in Toronto

In the pursuit of giving artists access to affordable rent and building community wealth, 221A has been working on Cultural Land Trust (CLT), a land trust for cultural assets that will open pathways to sustainable stewardship and ownership.

With interest in building relationships with fellow land trust organizers and other non-profit organizations 221A presented CLT at Chinatown Reimagined, Canadian Network of Community Land Trusts Summit and Social Purpose Real Estate Summit. We gained insights from those facing similar challenges and opportunities in the relatively new landscape of land trusts in Canada including our neighbours at Hogan’s Alley Society and DTES Community Land Trust.

Read More

Newly Elected Board Members at 221A

October 18, 2023

221A is delighted to announce the appointment of new board members. On September 25, 2023, the Society’s membership gathered at the newly built Exhibition & Learning Room at 825 Pacific Street for the 16th Annual General Meeting. Members received reports on the activities of the 2022-23 fiscal year from Virginia Hong, Chair and Brian McBay, Executive Director, including the presentation of the Audited Financial Statements.

Ingrid Valou, Rawan Hassan, Reiko Pleau and Tamara Goddard were elected for a term of three years (2023–26), joining long-standing members Marisa Espinosa, Neeta Soni, Virginia Hong (2021–24), alongside recently elected members Kathy Feng and Krystal Paraboo. The Society thanks all members for their ongoing support and their participation in the AGM.

Read More

2023 Annual General Meeting

September 7, 2023

221A will hold their Annual General Meeting at 825 Pacific Street, Level 1, from 6:00 – 6:30 pm, followed by refreshments from Calabash Bistro.

Members may arrive and register from 5:30, with business to commence at 6:00 pm.

Agenda:

  • Approval of the Minutes from the 2022 AGM
  • Report from Virginia Hong, Chair
  • Report from Brian McBay, Executive Director
  • Presentation of the Audited Financial Statements
  • Appointment of the Auditor
  • Resolution to Set Number of Directors
  • Election of Directors
  • 6:30–7:00 pm – Members Enjoy Refreshments

Read More