A public memorial will commemorate the internment of Steveston’s Japanese-Canadians during the Second World War. The Nikkei Memorial, located next to the Steveston Tram building, will be unveiled on Saturday, June 22.
The public art project acknowledges the departure of Japanese Canadians from Steveston and their subsequent return after the period of internment.
Commissioned by the City of Richmond in partnership with the Steveston Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre Advisory Committee, the project was designed by Hapa Collaborative.
A concept design was created from meetings with stakeholder groups and individuals who shared their experiences from before, during and after the internment period.
The design pays tribute to Issei (first) and Nisei (second) generations and provides a metaphor for resilience.
These themes will be expressed through landscaped pathways, plantings and design elements including paving patterns based on hand-made origami mats created by seniors at the Steveston Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre, a plum tree, stone monuments and lanterns.
The Nikkei Memorial Public Art Project will be unveiled on Saturday, June 22, 2019 from 1 to 2 p.m. at Steveston Community Park, 4010 Moncton St.
For more information, contact the City of Richmond, Public Art Program at 604-247-4612 or visit www.richmond.ca/publicart.
