Support of the Arts District Historical Images Mural Project

– 1:30pm Social in Robert Aller’s Garden

- 2:30pm John Pippus in Concert

This is a by invitation only friend & family garden concert preceded by a get together to share stories and to encourage artistic improvements in our community, so please bring cash for suggested donation $20 per person.

Space is limited so please RSVP by Friday June 24th to [email protected] or call 250-723-2623.

House & Garden: There is plenty of free parking on the street.

Please note the original walkway stones are uneven so appropriate footwear is recommended.  Please also wear weather appropriate attire as the event will be held rain or shine.  Light refreshments & snacks (courtesy of RAD Corps) and concert chairs will be provided.  Washrooms will be available.  This is a by invitation only friend & family garden concert preceded by a get together to share stories and to encourage artistic improvements in our community, so please bring cash for suggested donation $20 per person.  Space is limited so please RSVP by Friday June 24th to [email protected] or 250-723-2623.  BYOB.  Children and small dogs on a leash welcome.

Robert Aller, artist:  Worked with native youth as a volunteer art teacher in the Alberni Indian Residential School in the 1950s and 60s. He died in 2008 but left a legacy of being a caring and inspiring teacher to many.

Avenue Zone: http://tinyurl.com/zj5x8c5  AV News: http://tinyurl.com/z93eefq  Ha-Shilth-Sa News: http://tinyurl.com/jaw6rdo

John Pippus, singer/songwriter:  Considers it an honour to be included in this event.  He is drawn to stories from the past, and Robert Aller’s life story is well worth commemorating.  In fact, having read about his life, particularly his work with the native kids at the Alberni Residential School, he was inspired to write a song about him.  As the song says, “He was an artist, a teacher, and a man”.   Here is another of John’s original songs, “Son’s House”: http://tinyurl.com/jhd9v64   John’s website: www.johnpippus.com  

Gayle Stephen-Player, host & RAD Corps volunteer:  A group of non-Rotarians who share Rotary’s commitment to service and planning and carrying out projects that support a specific purpose.  Currently they are working to beautify, and add an element of local history, to the Arts District of Southport through a Historical Images Mural Project, at a reduced cost of $15/sqft, minimum 4x8=$480.

Capitol Theatre 1st historic mural starting Monday June 27th : http://www.albernivalleynews.com/entertainment/382992251.html 

Harold Bethel, home owner since 2009:  Has restored the house and gardens with Robert Aller’s original vision, which he learned from family members, in mind.  He is inviting the community to tour the gardens, share their stories, peruse a few of the original art pieces currently in safe keeping at the Rollin Art Centre, and enjoy a lovely garden concert with singer/songwriter John Pippus.

Shayne Lloyd, local artist: Is working with the Rotary Arts District helping to develop community artworks.  They have created the RAD Historical Images Mural Project.  This concept pays tribute to Port Alberni's diverse and unique past through murals depicting historic images.  After hearing about Robert Aller's work and involvement with the First Nations community he feels his legacy is a great subject to be captured in a piece of art.  He would like to create a work dedicated to his memory for the role model of a community role model.  www.shaynetheartist.com     http://www.albernivalleynews.com/entertainment/282618171.html

Anne Pley, author of Robert Aller: The Man Who Speaks With Wolves, has always been a writer. She has written a play, countless short stories of romance and mystery and is currently working on 'the great Canadian novel'. In the last few years, she has added journalistic pieces to her repertoire.  An interview with local artist, Robert Aller, and a subsequent magazine article demonstrated the emotional quality Anne brings to her writing. From that point on, Robert Aller wanted her to give life to his own personal story and to the twenty years he spent teaching art to the children of the north.  She plans to attend.

http://bookstore.trafford.com/Products/SKU-000147562/Robert-Aller.aspx

Edna Cox: as a young girl has memories of lunches at the house and we hope she will be able to attend.

Her Father boarded at the house from January 1950 for a couple months, when he was hired by Woodward's and before he found a place for his Wife and Edna to join him from Victoria. The house belonged to Robert's older sister Alma and her husband Joe, a fisherman.  Alma kept a boarding house for single men, mostly mill-workers, many of them newly arrived from Europe.  Edna remembers two in particular:  a Ukrainian fellow, "Pete" Metro,  who became a casual friend of her parents, and a wise-cracking Italian, Tony.  There was also a collection of noisy birds housed in the small living room.

Edna’s Brother, who is 6 years younger, delivered the Colonist newspaper there for several years, and tells of his close - and sometimes scary – encounters with Mr. Aller's dog Lobo. (He had a number of dogs, one after the other, all called Lobo).

Meg Scoffield: a founder of the Community Arts Council of the Alberni Valley and friend of Mr. Aller plans to attend.

Jeffrey Cook: Huu-ay-aht Chief Councillor Jeff Cook (2012) and a student of the Alberni Indian Residential School (1958-1960) under Mr. Aller’s tutelage plans to attend.                                                                                                                       # # #