Shamsi Ashti

Shamsi Ashti stands for everything her last name represents in her native language, Persian. Ashti means peace, not as in the opposite of war, but as in achieving tranquility and rekindling a friendship. Shamsi, a Richmond resident for over 30 years, spent most of her childhood in a tranquil family garden in northern Tehran, just beneath the majestic hills and range of the Alborz Mountain. Her father, a former high court judge, chose a secluded life for his family to focus on his children’s upbringing. He instilled in them a love for poetry, teaching them to recite verses and encouraged curiosity.

Poetry gave Shamsi a tool to express her feelings and hopes. Her poetry books encompass Shamsi’s reflections on life, interpersonal relationships and her feelings about the turbulent and socially challenging place of women in Iran since the emergence of the Islamic Republic. Besides being a poet, Shamsi is also an accomplished sculptor. Her works of art have been exhibited at the Museum of Contemporary Arts, the Gallery and the Golestan Gallery and has also been featured in Doors Open, ArtRich and the Federation of Canadian Artists. She is an active member of Richmond Pottery Club and teaches art classes through the Richmond Art Gallery.

Jenifer Gustavsen

We are thrilled to welcome Jenifer Gustavsen back into the pop up space. Jenifer has been oil painting for the last 2 years. From 1996 to 2006 she worked as a classical animator, which is hand drawn animation. Her film credits include Dreamworks films such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Road to Eldorado, and Sinbad, Legend of the Seven Seas, as well as the indie film The Triplets of Belleville. Once the animation studios stopped making classically animated films, Jenifer left the industry and returned to University and earned a master’s degree in archaeology majoring in art from a variety of cultures. Her studies focused on research into the brain’s response to making realistic art that drove her directly to trying her hand at oil painting.

Each month the SHS features different artists. Come by to view this amazing work. A portion of all sales supports the work of the Steveston Historical Society.
 

This summer, find one-of-a-kind vintage items every other Sunday at the Steveston Vintage Fair from 10am to 4pm in the Steveston Town Square Park.

From toys and linen, to fine china and accessories, there is something for everyone!

Located next to the Steveston Museum and Post Office, this year’s Vintage Fair dates are:
July 7, 21
August 4, 18
September 1

Jennifer James – Artistic Alchemist

Jennifer James, a local Steveston resident, is a multi-textural artist who started her art journey from the time she could hold a crayon. She has been crafting pottery since the tender age of 13, experimenting with different forms of hand building. She is fascinated by the spiritual significance of nature in all forms and adds this extra layer of interest to her work, blending her art with her spiritual connection to nature.

In 2006, Jennifer migrated to the South Pacific, where she couldn’t continue with pottery. This proved to be an opportunity for her to learn oil painting and fashion design. She loves making her own clothes but hates the leftover scraps of fabric. That’s when she came up with the brilliant idea of making Woodland tree spirits from left over fabric and making clay faces and chest pieces.

For this exhibit in the Pop Up art space at the Steveston Museum, Jennifer was able to explore two new firing techniques, raku and saggar. With the help of a fellow potter, Jennifer has been able to explore the unpredictable nature of saggar and raku pottery. Jennifer loves the unpredictability of these firing methods and delights in the unexpected results. Opening a saggar firing is like opening a present on Christmas morning, you have no idea what to expect. It is this excitement that keeps Jennifer interested in exploring pottery and all the ways you can manipulate and change it, alchemy at its best.

www.jenniferjames.com

Behnaz Behzadi

Behnaz Behzadi, born in Tehran, Iran, has dedicated over four decades to her passion for art with a particular focus on painting. Throughout her pastime she has demonstrated a commitment to honing her skills in both watercolour and oil painting. Alongside her personal artistic pursuits, Behnaz has generously shared her expertise by teaching watercolour techniques to students in grades 5, 6 & 7 at R.M. Grauer Elementary School. Behnaz remains actively engaged in the art community and in 2020 she demonstrated her altruism by selling her artwork and donating the proceeds to the Richmond Hospital Foundation.

This year, through sales from her Pop Up art show at the Steveston Museum & Post Office, she will continue her philanthropic endeavours by supporting the BC Children’s Hospital Foundation. Behnaz Behzadi’s unwavering dedication to both her craft and charitable causes exemplifies her multifaceted contributions to the artistic and humanitarian spheres.

A percentage of all art sales goes towards Steveston Historical Society programs and events that support our community.

Production & Summer Program Coordinator

Steveston Historical Society
Total number of jobs available: 1

Production & Summer Program Coordinator

• Weeks: 8 weeks
• Approximate Start date: June 24, 2024
• Hours: 35 hours/week
• This job is funded by a Government grant through the Canada Summer Jobs program and is open to young people under 30 years of age. All interested applicants must meet these criteria. Post-Secondary students preferred.

Per Hour Rate: $20.79/hour
Location: Steveston Museum and Post Office
Work on weekends is required; some flexibility may be available on select days based on event schedule

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Steveston Historical Society is looking for an enthusiastic, mature, self-motivated individual whose primary role will be overseeing stage management components of the Steveston Alive! Walking Tour Vignettes program. You will also undertake general administrative duties, assist with other onsite special events, and offer some heritage interpretation at the Steveston Museum.

Examples of key work activities include:

• For performances of Steveston Alive! Walking Tour Vignettes program:
  – Coordinate and organize performance schedule with student actors
  – Act as costumed Tour Guide during each performance
  – Maintain costumes during performance run
  – Oversee safety of performers and audience in public spaces
  – Coordinate online and in-person ticket sales
  – Monitoring and maintaining budget
  – Promotion of tour onsite
  – Coordinate actors to participate in Steveston Salmon Festival Parade
• General administrative duties as directed
• Assist with other special events or exhibitions taking place onsite at the Steveston Museum including Steveston Vintage Fairs and Pop Up Art Shows
• Provide heritage information & interpretation in Steveston Museum spaces including customer
  service to members of the public as required
• Event related promotion on events sites. Liaise with SHS social media person.
• Other duties as required and agreed upon.

Please submit resume and cover letter to: 
Lori Gelz: info@historicsteveston.ca

Deadline: May 25, 2024