Cartographies of Connection

Cartographies of Connection is a community art project happening at Grandview-Woodland Bridge Plaza in the Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood of Vancouver, a place that’s been lovingly transformed from a busy bridge deck into a gathering spot for neighbours, cyclists, and curious wanderers. Through a series of workshops and public activations, participants will explore how inner experiences, emotions, memories, and body sensations, can become maps of connection. Together, these personal mappings will be woven into a collective mural painted across the Grandview-Woodland Bridge, turning individual stories into a shared visual landscape. Participants are invited to listen, draw, move, and co-create visual stories that trace how we experience place and belonging.

Workshop 1:Naming Emotions

June 5-6, 2026

Workshop 2:Mapping Belonging

June 13, 2026

Workshop 3:Painting the Mural

July 11, 2026

painting of two people on a beach
painting of two people on a beach

Why?

Because belonging doesn’t just happen, we make it. Cartographies of Connection began with a simple question:What if we could see our emotions as landscapes?

By turning our stories, symbols, and daily experiences into something visible, we hope to:

  • Spark conversations about how we relate to our city and to each other
  • Create a space that feels welcoming, co-led, and shaped by many voices
  • Celebrate creativity as an act of care, something that builds community and reminds us we’re not alone

At its heart, this project is about slowing down, noticing, and reconnecting, with our surroundings, with one another, and with ourselves.

 

Who We Are

painting of whale in shipyard

Allison Chow

Artist, designer, and facilitator based in Vancouver. Allison’s work blends community engagement, sensory mapping, and participatory design. Her practice explores embodiment, collective expression, and the kinds of belonging that grow through shared process. Learn More →

futuristic painting of farmland in space

Emily Huang

A Chinese queer creative working at the intersection of illustration, design, and mental health advocacy. Emily’s work explores how storytelling and visual language can build bridges and foster connection.

painting of eagle eye view of farmland

Carol Mac

An Australian artist and designer inspired by life between Australia and Canada. Carol’s abstract, botanical work explores identity, memory, and the idea of home, and how shared creativity can nurture care and reflection. Learn More →

Timeline

March-May 2026:

Community outreach, promo tour, andworkshop planning

June 5-6, 2026:

Workshop 1 -Emotion Mapping

June 13, 2026:

Workshop 2 -Visioning + Design Shareback

July 11, 2026:

Workshop 3 -Painting + Celebration

August 2026

Documentation + Reflection

 

Expression of Interest

Want to stay connected? You can choose to receive updates by email, text, or both!

 

 

Sign Up

We are partnered with the City of Vancouver through the Community Street Art Opportunity and collaborating with community members Dawson Church via the Community Placemaking Program and Serena Meghani.

@grandviewwoodlandplaza

@serena_megani

Cartographies of Connection

Cartographies of Connection is a community art project happening at Grandview-Woodland Bridge Plaza in the Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood of Vancouver, a place that’s been lovingly transformed from a busy bridge deck into a gathering spot for neighbours, cyclists, and curious wanderers. Through a series of workshops and public activations, participants will explore how inner experiences, emotions, memories, and body sensations, can become maps of connection. Together, these personal mappings will be woven into a collective mural painted across the Grandview-Woodland Bridge, turning individual stories into a shared visual landscape. Participants are invited to listen, draw, move, and co-create visual stories that trace how we experience place and belonging.

Workshop 1:Naming Emotions

June 5-6, 2026

Workshop 2:Mapping Belonging

June 13, 2026

Workshop 3:Painting the Mural

July 11, 2026

painting of two people on a beach
painting of two people on a beach

Why?

Because belonging doesn’t just happen, we make it. Cartographies of Connection began with a simple question:What if we could see our emotions as landscapes?

By turning our stories, symbols, and daily experiences into something visible, we hope to:

  • Spark conversations about how we relate to our city and to each other
  • Create a space that feels welcoming, co-led, and shaped by many voices
  • Celebrate creativity as an act of care, something that builds community and reminds us we’re not alone

At its heart, this project is about slowing down, noticing, and reconnecting, with our surroundings, with one another, and with ourselves.

 

Who We Are

painting of whale in shipyard

Allison Chow

Artist, designer, and facilitator based in Vancouver. Allison’s work blends community engagement, sensory mapping, and participatory design. Her practice explores embodiment, collective expression, and the kinds of belonging that grow through shared process. Learn More →

futuristic painting of farmland in space

Emily Huang

A Chinese queer creative working at the intersection of illustration, design, and mental health advocacy. Emily’s work explores how storytelling and visual language can build bridges and foster connection.

painting of eagle eye view of farmland

Carol Mac

An Australian artist and designer inspired by life between Australia and Canada. Carol’s abstract, botanical work explores identity, memory, and the idea of home, and how shared creativity can nurture care and reflection. Learn More →

Timeline

March-May 2026:

Community outreach, promo tour, andworkshop planning

June 5-6, 2026:

Workshop 1 -Emotion Mapping

June 13, 2026:

Workshop 2 -Visioning + Design Shareback

July 11, 2026:

Workshop 3 -Painting + Celebration

August 2026

Documentation + Reflection

 

Expression of Interest

Want to stay connected? You can choose to receive updates by email, text, or both!

 

 

Sign Up

We are partnered with the City of Vancouver through the Community Street Art Opportunity and collaborating with community members Dawson Church via the Community Placemaking Program and Serena Meghani.

@grandviewwoodlandplaza

@serena_meghani

Cartographies of Connection

Cartographies of Connection is a community art project happening at Grandview-Woodland Bridge Plaza in the Grandview-Woodland neighbourhood of Vancouver, a place that’s been lovingly transformed from a busy bridge deck into a gathering spot for neighbours, cyclists, and curious wanderers. Through a series of workshops and public activations, participants will explore how inner experiences, emotions, memories, and body sensations, can become maps of connection. Together, these personal mappings will be woven into a collective mural painted across the Grandview-Woodland Bridge, turning individual stories into a shared visual landscape. Participants are invited to listen, draw, move, and co-create visual stories that trace how we experience place and belonging.

Workshop 1:Naming Emotions

June 5-6, 2026

Workshop 2:Mapping Belonging

June 13, 2026

Workshop 3:Painting the Mural

July 11, 2026

painting of two people on a beach
painting of two people on a beach

Why?

Because belonging doesn’t just happen, we make it. Cartographies of Connection began with a simple question:What if we could see our emotions as landscapes?

By turning our stories, symbols, and daily experiences into something visible, we hope to:

  • Spark conversations about how we relate to our city and to each other
  • Create a space that feels welcoming, co-led, and shaped by many voices
  • Celebrate creativity as an act of care, something that builds community and reminds us we’re not alone

At its heart, this project is about slowing down, noticing, and reconnecting, with our surroundings, with one another, and with ourselves.

 

Who We Are

painting of whale in shipyard

Allison Chow

Artist, designer, and facilitator based in Vancouver. Allison’s work blends community engagement, sensory mapping, and participatory design. Her practice explores embodiment, collective expression, and the kinds of belonging that grow through shared process.Learn More →

futuristic painting of farmland in space

Emily Huang

A Chinese queer creative working at the intersection of illustration, design, and mental health advocacy. Emily’s work explores how storytelling and visual language can build bridges and foster connection.

painting of eagle eye view of farmland

Carol Mac

An Australian artist and designer inspired by life between Australia and Canada. Carol’s abstract, botanical work explores identity, memory, and the idea of home, and how shared creativity can nurture care and reflection.Learn More →

Timeline

March-May 2026:

Community outreach, promo tour, andworkshop planning

June 5-6, 2026:

Workshop 1 -Emotion Mapping

June 13, 2026:

Workshop 2 -Visioning + Design Shareback

July 11, 2026:

Workshop 3 -Painting + Celebration

August 2026

Documentation + Reflection

 

Expression of Interest

Want to stay connected? You can choose to receive updates by email, text, or both!

 

 

Sign Up

We are partnered with the City of Vancouver through the Community Street Art Opportunity and collaborating with community members Dawson Church via the Community Placemaking Program and Serena Meghani.

@grandviewwoodlandplaza

@serena_meghani