“An Alevin Sky” — Media Release |

“AN ALEVIN SKY” COMES TO LIFE

An Alevin Sky

650+ Students Create Giant Living Image of Baby Salmon

World-renowned aerial-artist Daniel Dancer, Fraser Riverkeeper Society and Hastings Elementary School Collaborate to Create Large “Living Painting” to Celebrate Salmon

VANCOUVER, BC June 22, 2011: Artist Daniel Dancer was hoisted on a crane 85 feet in the air to photograph and film over 650 students and teachers who came together to create a huge “living painting” of an alevin, a newly hatched salmon, on the gravel field behind Hastings Elementary School.

For approximately 15 minutes of the culminating event, participants became “human drops of paint” in an image that only makes sense when seen from the sky. The painting itself was composed of the students, wearing various colored organic T-shirts, who created a 120 by 100 foot alevin.

Creation of the alevin was the culmination of an Art For the Sky residency led by Oregon conceptual artist, author and educator, Daniel Dancer. Sky Art dates back over 3,000 years. The project provided students with real life history, math, art, and conservation instruction. “The “Alevin Sky” project offered an innovative, creative way for students to learn about the ecology and cultural economy of their home.

The varied teachings of Art For the Sky help participants awaken their “sky sight”, a manner of viewing the world in a “big picture” way that grants greater access to creative thinking and problem-solving. Dancer explains, “Through working together in the creation of beautiful art, participants experience the power of collaboration and their interconnection with one another. The alevin is a gift from participants from Earth to Sky in thanks for all the blessings of life on this beautiful planet.”

With a grant from RBC’s Blue Water Fund, Fraser Riverkeeper Society brought together artist Dancer and Hastings Elementary School with the intent of inspiring artistic creativity, respect for nature and community pride.

“We wanted to create an experience that promotes students’ understanding of their connection to the Fraser River system and the viability of its salmon. We hope the project inspires the students to become conscience of their power to be stewards of their waterways,” said Lauren Hornor of Fraser Riverkeeper. Hornor continued, “This project demonstrates to the students that they are part of something bigger than themselves, just as they are part of and connected to each other and to their natural world.”

Creation of the giant alevin was the final culminating chapter of a project where Hastings Elementary grade 1-3 students raised and then released baby salmon. Diana Bennett, a Hasting Elementary parent, explained, “It was inspiring to watch all the students in the school participate in one activity together that was symbolic of the salmon they cared for and released. It brought together students, parents and the greater community.”

The residency was paid for with a grant to Fraser Riverkeeper Society by Royal Bank of Canada’s Blue Water Fund. BC Hydro generously donated the use of the crane, and Home Depot donated mulch to help detail the field.

Dancer conducts Art For the Sky residencies worldwide. Images of his collaborative work with schools can be viewed in the “sky gallery” on his website: www.artforthesky.com.