Green Donation Recipient – WC2

I was very excited to hear that Western Canada Wilderness Committee accepted our donation recipient request.  WC2 is a westcoast icon.  For many years they have been fighting the good fight and raising awareness of environmental issues for all of Western Canada. 

What is so great about Western Canada Wilderness Committee is that they actually have a wedding component that ties in nicely to our event.  We encourage those couples who have everything, or need nothing, to accept donations to a charitable organization in lieu of gifts.  Guests love to give gifts and what a great idea to direct those energies to something that has so much more substance.  Not only is it good for our community, it  allows friends and family of the couple to understand their passion and commitment to the environment.  

A wedding I recently photographed even had the couple donate monies to a charitable organization as wedding favours.  Each guest received a small card that advised what had been given on their behalf.  I was impressed with this progressive idea.

Western Canada Wilderness Committee can give you a display to put up at your wedding to give your guests more information on where their gift monies go. The donation can be granted to a specific cause or to the organization itself.

Sue Fox of Western Canada Wilderness Committee also told me that  the organization sells a lot of cards that are used as invitations and thank you cards.  All of the funds from the purchases go right back into the community and the photography is amazing.

I have been a member of WC2 for many years and was an eco-activist in my youth trying to save the Elaho Valley, a success story.  I volunteered with mail outs and calendars.  To give back more than just a membership now is very inspiring for me.  Western Canada Wilderness Committee will receive $2.50 from each paid entrant from The Grassroots Wedding Fair.  Money well raised, I believe.

Western Canada Wilderness Committee will be at The Grassroots Wedding Fair with cards on hand for sale and information regarding their donation program.

Shona Dion

DIY Ideas you CAN do yourself

There is something about a wedding that can bring out the inner artist.  It is time to plan one of the biggest parties of your life, celebrate life, love and happiness with your key people, and go wild (or not) with some great artistic ideas.  Many websites exist for great inspirational ideas, but you do not have to look far for creative inspiration in this city.

What I really really like about Vancouver in the past few years is the great crafting movement that is blossoming.  The past Christmas season was spectacular with multiple markets filled with amazing artisans.

One of those market places and hubs of artistic inspiration is Blim, a community based arts resource centre.  They not only put on markets, but have classes that encourage diverse expressions of art at all levels.  Check out their schedule and add a unique flair to your wedding.

So, a little word about Blim!

BLIM is a Community Based Art Resource Center which facilitates screen-printing, button making, drawing, knitting, local underground audio, film screenings, animation, video, dance, spoken word, visual art, creative workshops, and crafts in the independent field.

BLIM is conveniently located in the heart of Vancouver’s DIY art spaces on Main Street.

BLIM believes in presenting work that is still deemed as art, yet not quite embraced by the music world or gallery context, but deserves a platform for expression. As well as to facilitate the general public towards creative projects.

BLIM is a non-funded arts facility run by and for artists and community? This requires the hard work of Yuriko Iga, Noel Macul, and the many volunteers.

In order to remain autonomous to governments systems, it is our choice to act as a market-driven business without funding. We have managed to survive solely on sales, service, and the wonderful support of the people of Vancouver for the past 5 years.

BLIM also raises funds by collaborating with various organizations both in the arts, media, and community field such as Powell Street Festival, Public Dreams, Langara Institute, Emily Carr, New Music Vancouver, and VIVO.

BLIM has received coverage in the local entertainment arts guide and was voted best “Low profile event space” in Vancouver Magazine, as well as “Best Innovative Arts Space” in the Terminal City.

We just recently got voted “Best Place to Whip up some Art” in the Georgia Straight.

BLIM COLLAGE BUTTON MAKING

Monday, January 11/February 8 | 7 – 10 PM | $20
Featuring: Yuriko Iga

Group Rate (6–8 people or more): 10% OFF/person

Mini art, collage, graphics, drawings, or text in a 1″, 1.25″, 1.5″, 2″ or 3″ button. Bring images in 1″, 1.25″, 1.5″, 2″, or 3″ round format, or the materials you wish to work with. We provide other materials such as magazines, reference books, photocopier, markers. 25 buttons of any size included. There will be a snack bar, good music, and fun to be had!

PLEASE PAY 48 HRS BEFORE WORKSHOP.

GOCCO PRINTING

Saturday, January 9/February 13 | 2 – 5 PM | $60 (includes all materials)
Featuring: Kaytee Kilgour

Group Rate (6–8 people or more): 10% OFF/person

Learn to make your own beautiful hand printed greeting cards using the Japanese Print Gocco Machine. Gocco is a portable hand held screenprinting device invented by the Japanese to make mess free screenprinted cards at home.

Please bring your 4″ × 5″ image on black & white carbon photocopy. The cost of workshop is $60 for whole afternoon which includes 20 cards with envelopes. We provide other materials such as inks, screens and bulbs.
There will be a snack bar, good music, and fun to be had!

www.savegocco.com

SCREENPRINTING

Water based, oil-based, vinyl based inks.

Group Rate (6–8 people or more): 10% OFF/person

Level 1: Wednesdays, 6:30 – 10 PM Emulsion application and water-based inks

workshop-$58 (incl. tax & service charge)

$50