Relaxing in the sun outside Limbic Media at the GVPN’s first Annual General Meeting. (All photos on this page: Andy Guiry and Molly LaMorte)
A fine group of placemakers of all ages gathered Saturday, April 30, 2016 for the Greater Victoria Placemaking Network’s very first Annual General Meeting.
Aside from a chance to mingle and enjoy some snacks and the sun, we were treated to two great presentations on inspiring work underway in the Victoria region. Cascadia Architects‘ Andy Guiry talked about a recent project with the Downtown Victoria Business Association, the City of Victoria and community members to develop a series of actions that will make Douglas Street an even more vivid place over the upcoming years.
Andy Guiry of Cascadia Architects presents ideas from recent Douglas Street placemaking charettes.
Transforming people participation into light and sound: Limbic Media’s Justin Love.
Limbic Media‘s Justin Love then showed a series of videos about the blend of art, technology and kinesthetic magic that he and his collaborators have been creating through their interactive installations. Both presentations also hinted at more interesting interactive placemaking to come at Victoria’s Yates and Douglas intersection.
The aye’s have it: Lorne Daniel and Greater Victoria Placemaking Network members at the group’s first AGM.
After a short break, the AGM got into full swing with a short President’s report from Lorne Daniel that somehow managed to squeeze in an impressively long list of everything the group has accomplished over the past 18 months. A big thank you was extended to initial and now outgoing Directors Olena Russell, Vincent Gornall, Rayleen Lister and Andy Guiry for their contributions to the group’s first part year since formally becoming a society.
New Directors Andrew Appleton, Heather Gardiner, Jim LaMorte, Emmy Marshall-Hill, Kevin McGeough and Ray Straatsma and returning Director Lorne were then elected, everyone there gave a big cheer, and then broke into groups to learn more about other upcoming projects in the region, from Living Streets, to Jane’s Walk, to neighbourhood plans and more.
As I munched on one of new Director Jim LaMorte’s homemade cookies and listened to others talk about upcoming projects, I reflected that this was one of the most fun AGMs I’ve ever been to. Want to become a member and join in on the action? Head here to find out how you, too, can get involved with this merry band of placemakers.
