We caught them dancing in the sun: Art, sustainability, and community on the North Shore
Living on Vancouver’s North Shore is an experience deeply intertwined with nature. Here, mountains cradle the ocean, the rhythm pulses with the movements of wildlife—whales breaching, salmon leaping, and the quiet hum of nature at work. It’s this unique relationship with the environment that inspired our latest collaborative art project at Lions Gate Hospital, titled We Caught Them Dancing in the Sun.
This installation, which we were honoured to create thanks to a generous donation by The Gooding Family Foundation, commemorating the newly opened Paul Myers Tower at Lions Gate Hospital, reflects the essence of Vancouver living. It is our humble tribute to the awe-inspiring moments that bring our community together—those shared glimpses of nature’s beauty, like the sight of whales dancing in the waves or the return of the salmon each season.
Transforming Waste into Art
For months, the Lions Gate Hospital community—staff, doctors, and volunteers—gathered plastic waste from their homes and the hospital. More than 50 pounds of plastic, such as bagel bags, toilet paper overwrap and hospital waste, were collected, highlighting the growing awareness of the global plastics crisis and the need for innovative solutions. The final result? A large-scale artwork made entirely from reclaimed plastic.
Every element of this project tells a story of transformation. The main artwork consists of 31 pounds of repurposed plastic, equivalent to diverting 2,825 plastic shopping bags from landfills. But beyond the numbers, the true success of this initiative lies in its spirit of collaboration. Staff members didn’t just contribute their plastic waste—they embraced the opportunity to learn, engage, and take action. Collection points decorated with fun, inspiring posters encouraged colleagues and hospital guests to participate.
A Celebration of Art and Community
The initial response to We Caught Them Dancing in the Sun has been positive. During the numerous opening events, the artwork served as a focal point of admiration and discussion. Judy Savage, President and CEO of the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation, summed it up perfectly:“Our donors were delighted with their gifts, and ‘We Caught Them Dancing in the Sun’ received great attention and interest. The piece is such a beautiful complement to the aesthetic of the building and the theme of our main floor.”
Many thanks to our patron, The Gooding Family Foundation and the Lions Gate Hospital Foundation team for making this all come to life.
