Block Party Fun - Baby Salmon Warriors a Painting Celebration!

UPDATE! 

Today we gathered as a community at our annual street party to paint our Baby Salmon Warriors, and we had such a great time. Our youngest painter was just 18 months old! At one point, the skies opened up with a surprise downpour—the first rain after weeks of dry weather. Instead of dampening spirits, it felt like a blessing, especially with the nearby forest fires.

We all huddled together under the tents, laughing and waiting for the clouds to pass. When the storm passed, we picked up our brushes again and carried on. The resilience of the salmon felt mirrored in us and in the art that emerged.

I’m so delighted to share some of the wonderful fish paintings our neighbours created. Each one is a celebration of hope, resilience, and the beautiful spirit of our great little street community.

thank you everyone for coming and painting together! 

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Tomorrow, our block party will once again fill with the sound of laughter, the swish of paintbrushes, and the joy of neighbours surprising themselves with what they can create. Thanks to a thoughtful organizer (Mike!) who fundraises each year, I get to lead a watercolour workshop—this time with the theme “Baby Salmon Warriors.”

This year, the Fraser River sockeye have given us a reason to celebrate. What scientists forecasted at around 3 million returning fish has swelled into more than 10 million actual returns - a breathtaking triumph not seen in decades.

I see these salmon as forerunners. They are carrying an energy that is resilient, tenacious, even defiant of everything humans have put in their path. They remind us that life has a way of pushing forward, of showing up in force when it matters most.

When I think about the salmon, I think about us, too. Humanity rising together, in unexpected numbers, for the sake of life itself. In their return, I find a mirror for what we are capable of.

So tomorrow, with watercolour palettes, shared stories, and plenty of laughter, we will paint these salmon warriors as a way of celebrating nature’s awe-inspiring capacity for fierce, unexpected returns.