open house collaborative drawing session at City Hall
Luke Ramsey Artist in Residence City of Victoria Nov 2016-Dec 2018
New Year’s Eve animated projections on Empress and Parliament Building, projection assisted by Arya Hawker
collaborative banners with Shoreline School students drawing sessions at Songhees Wellness Centre
collaboration with Ali Kahn
map design for new skate park in Vic West
JSB Public Art design and macquette
Story Line
Curation and design by Luke Ramsey
Created by Jesse Campbell, Kay Gallivan, Ian George, Sarah Jim, Ali Kahn, James Kirkpatrick, Kristofer Ray, Tyler Keeton Robbins, Sam Sharp, and Charlie Walker with Luke Ramsey
Exterior latex and spray paint on concrete , October 2017
Community partners: City of Victoria Artist in Residency Program, North Park Neighbourhood Association, Victoria Women in Need Community Cooperative, Victoria Squash Club, and Logan’s Pub
The line that flows through this mural reflects the North Park neighbourhood’s story of diversity and play, cohesiveness and community. Each artist painted a section of the mural using a freestyle, organic approach, which Ramsey then incorporated into his overall concept. The gestural line is like a tag across the wall — not a tag that omits the work, but one that works with it. The line is defined by the neighbourhood’s colour palette of teal and orange.
Interview and article with Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group
Mother Protector – Hawk and Home
Created by Luke Ramsey with Jill Stanton and Kristofer Ray who painted the inside walls . Exterior latex on concrete with exposed sections from previous paint-overs , September 2017
The mural depicts a hawk with one wing open, welcoming guests to a safe haven; the other wing is closed for protection from the elements. A section of a previous wall reveals “accidental art” made by nature and time. Another section has a stenciled red dress to commemorate missing and murdered Indigenous women. On the inside wing, organic innards are depicted on the stairwell. Graffiti on the path wall represents the balance between nature and the city’s vibe.
hired Jill Stanton to paint this inside wall
hired Kristofer Ray to paint this inside wall
Public engagement ( mostly with seniors ) making Virtual Reality art inside bird tent suit, accompanied with violin music by Denny Goertz and meditation guidance by Cedar Sorensen. Participants were encouraged to dip their bare feet into the ocean after activity to ground themselves from VR stimulation.
Whacky Bats mural by Luke Ramsey and Andrew Dick, Hollywood Park 2017
Dog Planet mural by Luke Ramsey and Jill Stanton, Vic West, July 2017
This mural depicts dogs playing, fetching, skateboarding and chasing bones. The “blob” characters represent how dogs see humans. See if you can find Bala, a local dog. She doesn’t like cats but looks like a lion.
Beach Scene mural by Luke Ramsey and Meghan Hildebrand July 2017
This mural depicts a landscape of local flora and fauna, mixed with abstract elements and a reference to a large rock on Gonzales Bay beach.
“Mineral Pockets” mural for Concrete Canvas Rock Bay Mural Project
Pacific Rim Interiors 560 David St, Victoria, BC
project planning, poster and map design for Concrete Canvas
artists from mural panel talk with Mayor Lisa Helps
City Vibe arts and events guide cover and inside drawings, 2018
Store 16 IT Dept install, curated permanent exhibition with local artists
instagram account with photos of interest in Victoria: https://www.instagram.com/vicartres/
after school Virtual Reality art making session with refugee students
massive collaboration drawing scroll with youth at Beacon Hill Bandshell
City Hall install in conjunction with James Bay Neighborhood Window Wanderland project
Pride Parade 2018
Public engagement fundraising activity, encouraging public of all ages to create graffiti on City property ( most participants had never used a spray paint can before, and really enjoyed it )
Beacon Hill Park Winter and Summer banner designs
Summer and Fall weekly youth drawings collaboration sessions at sxʷeŋxʷəŋ təŋəxʷ James Bay Branch.
Drawing Branches
In the summer and fall of 2018, City of Victoria Artist in Residence Luke Ramsey hosted drop-in drawing sessions with local youth at the sxʷeŋxʷəŋ təŋəxʷ James Bay Branch.Together they created drawings which took shape like branches on a tree. Within each shape is a collage selection of these drawings. The “Drawing Branches” art installation represents a collection of drawing gestures that creates the whole, and showcases the creativity and collaboration of youth in the community.
drone video by Joseph Bronson:
~ more info on City website here ~
Quotes :
“Luke has done an amazing job of bridging what was seen at times as two solitudes, we have the bureaucracy of City Hall and the perhaps natural rebelliousness of the artistic community, and Luke has found an amazing way to bring these together with his collaborative approach.”
-Chris Coleman, City of Victoria Councilor
“The City of Victoria’s first artist in residence is Luke Ramsey. This painter has been at work for most of a year and I made a point of visiting what he has done on the walkway that leads down to the beach at the foot of Cook Street. I was mightily impressed. Public art is hard to get right, and Ramsey has really added something creative and engaging to the sidewalks and stairs there. As it unfolds, his imaginative design relates beautifully to the beach scene and the shapes of the concrete. It even honors the scruffy paint and graffiti that was there when he arrived. I vote that the city ask Ramsey to stay on for another term.”
-Robert Amos, Times Colonist Oct 8th 2017
“The citizens thank you for making Victoria more interesting and more beautiful. Your initiatives as Artist in Residence are an example of how this position can create honest value.”
-Llyod Chesley, owner of Legends Comics
“This is one of the coolest murals and collaborations I’ve ever seen. Amazing in every way!”
-Kirsten McCrea, visual artist
“Thanks for making public spaces beautiful, whilst inspiring the young artists of tomorrow!”
-Thomas Abbey, local resident
“Amazing to see this public art come to life in this important public space. Love the process too. And thanks to the neighbor who brought the artists strawberries!
-Lisa Helps, City of Victoria Mayor
“That’s beautiful! I love public art. Especially something like this that takes the location into account. Well done.”
-Carol Mariash, local resident
“This has ‘feel good’ written all over it! Love it!”
-Andrea Swallow, local resident
” Great perspective! Such an honor having your energy in Victoria”
-Ian George, local visual artist
“Beautiful! Thank you for making our city better!”
-Wendy Welch, Vancouver Islands School of Art Director
“Luke and Jill were a joy to watch as their art slowly evolved and came to frution by the Vic West Dog Park. Bala and I are so touched to see her on the wall.”
-Dione, local resident
“Finally some decent new public art in the city! More than decent! Spectacular! Thanks you!
-Pamela Bosman, local resident
“That’s beautiful. Paint the whole city please!”
-Ian Hor, local resident
-“So awesome for our community! Thank you!”
-Michelle Heslop, local visual artist
“I just wanted to let you know how much impact you and your work are having on the City. You are inspiring for all involved and I am thrilled that we get to have more of your brilliance on to the end of 2018.”
-Jocelyn Jenkyns, Acting City Manager
“I’ve been coming here for years with my dogs, it’s my favorite place to come, and one of the things that used to upset me, was all of the graffiti that was on the wall back there, and so I am absolutely delighted that something creative, and colorful and beautiful enhances my walk”
– Penny Goldrick, Oak Bay News, Sept 7th 2017
“Victoria artist-in-residence gives colourful facelift to beachside eyesore”
-Times Colonist , Sept 13th 2017
“Our family lives in Fairfield, close to Gonzales Beach and Hollywood Park. I just wanted to send you a quick note to let you know that we absolutely LOVE your work and the wonderful and inspiring impact it’s having on the public spaces around us. Many thanks for what you’re doing – hope to see much more of it around town!”
-Johan Bosman, local resident
“You’re setting a really high bar for future Artists in Residence!”
-Jeremy Loveday, City of Victoria Councilor
—–
Kept art in mind at various meetings with:
James Bay Neighbourhood Association ( Charrette for Doulas Street expansion ), Atomique Productions ( First Night ), Sustainable Planning and Community Development Department ( Housing Policy, Place making, Ship Point, North Park Crosswalk ), Parks Department ( skate park, washrooms ), Engineering & Public Works ( recycling container design ), City Works Department ( graffiti, carpentry ), Victoria Police Department, DVBA, Victoria Bi-Law Department ( graffiti and free walls ), Recreation and Culture ( Create Victoria ), Citizen Engagement ( media, City Vibe ) City Projects: street banners, hoarding/fencing design, 4 murals in local parks, one in North Park neighbourhood, Johnson Street Bridge Public art proposal working with City staff and landscape designers ), UrbaCity Challenge Team, Window Wonderland Project,
Innovative Art:
First Night projection mapping working with City, Atomique and Arya Hawker, Virtual Reality Engagement with public, Virtual Reality art making with public, local artists, refugee students
Community Funding to local artists $20,000:
Andrew Dick, Jill Stanton, Meghan Hildebrand, Kristofer Ray, James Kirkpatrick, Tyler Keeton Robins, Ian George, Kay Gallivam, Charlie Walker, Mohammedh Ali Khan, Sarah Jim, Jesse Campbell, Sam Sharpe, Denny Goertz, Lesley Anderson, Brendan Bennett, Leela Ford, Guy Ferguson, Cody Haight, Lauren Mycroft and Lydia Beauregard.
Worked with Community Partners:
Songhees and Esquimalt Nations, Shoreline School, Women In Need Society, North Park Neighbourhood Association, Logans
Supported Local Business:
Deva Daru Yoga, Dulux Paints, Pacific Coast Power Washing Ltd, Goodbye Graffiti, Victoria VR, Opus Art, Home Depot, Canadian Tire, Home Hardware, Castle, Print Lab, SEEN Signs,
Beautified City infrastructure and neighborhoods:
3 Parks Washrooms murals, Spiral staircase turret mural, North Park mural, street banners, Skate Park signage, construction hording design
Local Engagement:
City Hall drawing jam, invited Vic High students for talk at North Park mural, woman brought us strawberries at Gonzaels mural, painted local dogs at Vic West mural, was invited as guest judge for Victorious Voices poetry slam, baseball coach was excited to see themed mural near baseball diamond at Hollywood Park, students at Shoreline were proud to see art on banners and invited me to school potluck, worked with Mohammedh Ali Kahn, a former homeless artist who resides at Anawim House, invited him to Create Victoria event to talk about the need for art therapy and invited him as artist for mural, Virtual Reality art sessions with refugee youth at Reynolds Secondary, collaborative drawings sessions with youth in Beacon Hill Park and James Bay. Graffiti team activity for UrbaCity race challenge.
Media:
two interviews with CBC, interview with Times Colonist, three interviews with CFAX, three interviews with Victoria News, four interviews with CHEK 6, four interviews with CTV, article with Focus Magazine, Rifflandia Magazine, Essential Magazine, Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group, and Megaphone Magazine