Pixel Moments – the dramatic, interactive art installation and micro-donation fundraiser is back – this time featuring Indigenous artist Chase Gray and a very high-profile location as part of February’s Vancouver Mural Festival.
St. Paul’s Future Leaders have kicked off the 2022 installment of their photo-mosaic fundraiser “Pixel Moments” in support of mental health initiatives at St. Paul’s Hospital. The timing couldn’t be better.
Frontline caregiver Blaine Bray, program director for acute and tertiary mental health at Inner City Youth-Foundry Vancouver Granville, explains. “With a pandemic that feels endless … a summer of record heat and fire followed by an autumn of record rain, many of us may be struggling with our mental wellbeing. Too often we dismiss these concerns as irrelevant or see them as weakness. But our mental health is as important as our physical health. Here at St. Paul’s Mental Health Program, we encourage people to seek help without shame.”
What is Pixel Moments?
Pixel Moments is equal parts micro-donation activism, art installation, and interactive VR experience.
Last spring, the Future Leaders launched their first Pixel Moments initiative with a huge interactive billboard above London Drugs at the corner of West Georgia and Granville Streets in downtown Vancouver. In addition to the visually-stunning display, it raised almost $300,000 in donations, sponsorship, and in-kind support for mental health initiatives at St. Paul’s Hospital.
With the 2022 version set to become a marquee part the Vancouver Mural Festival (VMF) winter showcase, we’re hoping to break that record. For a minimum donation of $5, you can upload a selfie (or any photo). Each photo will then be turned into a single pixel that will become part a giant illustration created by Chase Gray, a talented trans-Indigiqueer or 2 Spirit xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam) and Tsimshian artist.
Gray believes people from every culture can understand and appreciate Indigenous artwork in some way, and hopes his work captivates a wide audience.
Where can I see it?
Gray’s Pixel Moments creation will be on display as part of the VMF Winter Arts activation at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square on the north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery. Visitors will be able to see the piece and activate its AR capabilities from February 11-27. In March, the final, larger mural will take its place on the giant billboard above London Drugs.
Who are the Future Leaders?
St. Paul’s Foundation Future Leaders is an engaged volunteer committee of young professionals committed to raising awareness and funds for St. Paul’s Foundation. Since 2014, the committee has raised more than $1,100,000.
“Our goal is to use innovation in different and unique ways for philanthropy. We are especially thrilled to commission Chase to create art specifically for Pixel Moments. We can’t wait to see what he comes up with,” said Leon Ng, Future Leader, and co-founder of Pixel Moments with fellow co-founders and Future Leader volunteers Zeeshan Hayat and Crystal Hung.
How can I be part of this?
To include your photo in the installation, go to pixelmoments.org, donate $5 (or more!), and upload your photo. Pixel by pixel, our collective photos will transform into a digital canvas symbolizing our collective strength and support for mental wellness.
Support Pixel Moments today. And by the way, while the mural is here in Vancouver, you can participate from anywhere in the world!