Richmond Has Heart
The #RichmondHasHeart program was initiated in Spring 2020 in response to the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic. The original objectives of the program included building community spirit and pride and amplifying actions happening organically across the community to show support for front line, essential services and health care workers, and first responders.
In 2021, using this unifying hashtag, City and community partners developed, promoted and showcased virtual and neighbourhood-scale activities that connected and engaged residents in a manner consistent with provincial health directions, while supporting local artists, businesses and community organizations.
Rediscover neighbourhood offerings, local artists and cultural experiences, and engage in uniquely Richmond conversations and activities through a range of programming under the #RichmondHasHeart umbrella.
Neighborhood Rain Murals
The eight neighbourhoods surrounding Richmond’s community centres (Cambie/East Richmond, City Centre, Hamilton, Sea Island, South Arm, Steveston, Thompson and West Richmond) will have six original designs stencilled onto sidewalks and public plazas. Using an eco-friendly hydrophobic paint, the designs are only be visible after it rains. The designs, created by a mix of professional and community artists, are specific to each neighbourhood they are located in.
Download a map showcasing the location of each design, or pick up a printed copy at community centres in each neighbourhood. Residents and visitors are encouraged to get outside, play in the rain and explore!
Spring Break Scavenger Hunt - Rain Murals
During Spring Break, March 20-26, walk/roll/ride around your neighbourhood to discover the artworks. Share your selfies with the rain murals on Instagram using the hashtag #RichmondHasHeart, or email your selfie to www.richmondhasheart@richmond.ca RichmondHasHeart@richmond.ca for a chance to win a limited edition #RichmondHasHeart umbrella.
Follow funRichmond
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- Post a message or heart in your window as a sign of encouragement for your neighbours, front line workers and community
- Share a message of appreciation for frontline workers on your social media
- If you see something shareable in your neighbourhood, snap a photo and share
- DIY, we'd love to see your creative mind at work and how you show that #RichmondHasHeart
- Use the hashtag #RichmondHasHeart
- Tag @funRichmond on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter
Reconnecting
For this year’s BC Culture Days, local creative collective Barigord Studios produced a video that explores one Richmond family’s uncertainty after a long time spent avoiding crowds during the pandemic. All dance sequences were recorded with LEGO figures created by visitors to Richmond’s Culture Days launch event on Saturday, September 25, 2021.
Public Art Projects
Richmond’s Public Art Program launched four artist-initiated projects in 2020 as part of the #RichmondHasHeart campaign. The projects by local artists Keely O’Brien, Lou Sheppard, Denise Fong, Christy Fong and Marina Szijarto promoted mental health, well-being and creativity while maintaining physical distancing protocols and fostering community connections during this unprecedented, destabilizing and challenging time.
Eating in the Time of COVID
by Christy Fong and Denise Fong
Eating in the Time of COVID-19 is an online collection of stories, quotes, photos, poems and illustrations that captures culturally diverse and multigenerational experiences with food during the coronavirus pandemic. The project is ongoing until fall 2021 and will engage The Sharing Farm Society, Richmond Food Security Society, local farmers, grocery store owners, restaurateurs, food bloggers and the general public in Richmond, in answer to the question: How has your relationship with food changed since the pandemic? The website will function as the online exhibition and as a legacy piece to document the voices, feelings, and visual representations of the COVID-19 experience. A short video will also be produced and shown as part of the online exhibition. For more information on this project, visit: richmondfoodstories.ca
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| Image credit: Keely O’Brien, "Dearest", 2021. Courtesy of the Artist. |
Printable graphics
Here are some downloadable graphics to get you started! Print, colour and share!
#RichmondHasHeart Colouring Sheet
#RichmondHasHeart Full Colour
