There are cards shaped like a butterfly and a strawberry. Some have rainbows, happy faces and sparkles. And all have simple messages designed to add a bit of sunshine into someone’s life.
On Saturday, the heartfelt cards will be distributed around Port Moody — at coffeehouses, park benches, city hall, etc. — in an effort to lift the finder’s spirit and spread appreciation of artwork.
The idea for the Art Abandonment Project came from Port Moody secondary student Arkie Liu, an IB student at Port Moody secondary and a volunteer at the Port Moody Arts Centre.
This spring, to coincide with Youth Week, she asked the public to help with her outreach initiative and make a colourful card with an inspiring message such as “Hope you’re having a good day.”
She also asked donors to use the social media hashtag #abandonart or the handle @pomoarts on the card front cover to generate online momentum for the project and raise awareness of PMAC.
To date, Liu has collected more than 30 cards — mostly from PMAC youth volunteers and members of the Community Ventures Society — and she will continue to gather more before the Aug. 29 afternoon drop around the City of the Arts. “There’s still time to add to the collection.”
Sandra Niven, PMAC program and volunteer co-orindator, who oversaw the project, added, “The cards are meant to be fun and full of surprises. This is our way of paying it forward.”
To include your Art Abandonment card, call 604-931-2008 or visit pomoarts.ca.
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