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Heron art piece lands in east Richmond

The heron, an enduring symbol of Richmond, is the subject of a public art piece installed at McLean Park in the Hamilton neighbourhood.
Hamilton heron

The heron, an enduring symbol of Richmond, is the subject of a public art piece installed at McLean Park in the Hamilton neighbourhood.

The art piece called the Great Blue Heron, by artists Donald Gunn and Bryn Finer, will be celebrated on June 21 at a family-friendly evening event.

Gunn and Finer worked with community members at the Hamilton Community Centre and Hamilton elementary in a series of workshops and engagement sessions to inform the creative process and to raise awareness of the region’s native wildlife.

The heron reflects the natural heritage of the Fraser River delta. As a native species of this region, its continued presence relies on clean rivers, places where it can hunt undisturbed, plentiful food sources and safe places to nest.

Project costs were co-funded equally by the Hamilton Community Association and the City of Richmond’s developer-funded Public Art Program.

On June 21 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. a celebration of the art piece will be part of Hamilton Night Out, where the public is invited for an evening of carnival games, activities and food. The event takes place at McLean Neighbourhood Park, 22600 McLean Ave.

The evening will finish off with a movie in the park. The public is encouraged to bring lawn chairs and picnic items.

Both Gunn and Finer are based on Salt Spring Island. Gunn has a background in architecture while Finer has been making props and scenic sculpture for theatre, dance, opera and film productions since 1974.