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General News · 12th May 2011
sabina

Cortes Island Community Mapping Project

Community maps marry the microscope and the mandolin; where art touches the heart and science touches the mind. The Cortes Community Mapping Project is a collaboration between science, art and community. Our community maps will be the tools to encourage protection and sustainability of our home place, Cortes Island.

I would like to extend an invitation to the Cortes community to contribute to the Cortes Island Community Mapping Project.
This project is modeled on the Islands in the Salish Sea Community Mapping Project (2000) and coordinated by myself, Sabina Leader Mense. Brigid Weiler and I teamed up in 2000, to contribute a Cortes Island map to the Salish Sea Community Mapping Project. We bring that experience and enthusiasm for community mapping home to Cortes Island.

"The Islands in the Salish Sea Community Mapping Project, 2000, engaged over 3000 people and involved everything from oral history with elders to review of scientific data to school kids with clip boards. More than 30 artists then brought these layers of accumulated information to life in unique and extraordinary maps."

All the maps created for the Islands in the Salish Sea Project are featured in the book, Islands in the Salish Sea: A Community Atlas ISBN 1.894898.32.X, which is available on loan from the FOCI resource library in Manson's Landing. Brigid’s original community map is permanently mounted in the Gorge Hall foyer.

Artists working independently or in partnership with community members (children, elders, naturalists) are invited to create artistic community maps that express and celebrate places special and sacred to them on Cortes Island.
Brent Wilkens Grades 7–10 class at the Cortes School is presently engaged in this project and after speaking to them last week, I can tell you, they have some great maps brewing!

To get the rest of the community inspired and off to a great start…
Brigid Weiler will be speaking at the T.O.S.H. gallery, Thursday, May 19 at 7pm.
Please join Brigid for a lively discussion of how she created her Cortes community map in 2000 and get some great tips on how to get started on your own community map!!

A public showing of the community maps at The Old School House (T.O.S.H.) gallery will occur in the autumn of 2011 and provide the community with the focal point for celebrating our home place… Cortes Island.

As coordinator of the project, I would like to hear back from those of you that are interested in participating and I would be pleased to answer any questions & provide support in whatever form necessary; contact me at 250 935 6467 mensetelus.net
Sincere thanks, Sabina Box 211, Whaletown, BC V0P 1Z0