It was in 1971 that this bronze and steel fountain started flowing outside the Queen Elizabeth Theatre. The nestled orbs were designed by prolific sculptor Gerhard Hans Class and a gift from the German-Canadian Centennial Committee of BC  to the city of Vancouver.

When I am interviewing Susan Almrud, she is in New York’s JFK airport, soon to fly off to London, Geneva and Paris. Such is the life of an international art advisor. Such is the life that Almrud used to dream about when she lived in Vancouver. And, bold step by

“The more pictures you see,” Robert Mapplethorpe said, “the better you are as a photographer.” Steven Lu has seen a lot of pictures. He has studied photography, chaired photography clubs, shot alongside industry photographers and worked for two years at Broadway Camera. Lu has always scrutinized his own work closely.

Dunbar and 41st is not where one would expect to find elaborate graffiti murals. Yet, there in the IGA parking lot is a colourful swirl of characters that includes Homer Simpson’s extended family and Moe the barkeep. Most improbably, these citizens of Springfield find themselves neighbour to Mother Theresa.  

She had been dreaming about it for a while. Finally, one year ago, she did it. One year ago, Dana Mooney left her day job and started working full-time as a painter. “It was the scariest moment of my life. It’s still scary.” Mooney had been painting since she was