West Coast Modern Week is an annual celebration of West Coast Modernism, a distinct architectural style with deep roots on the North Shore. Surrounded by mountains, the sparkling sea, and a lush rainforest, this natural setting presents unique challenges and opportunities, which are reflected in the local architecture.

As part of West Coast Modern Week, MONOVA has invited visual artist Sara Graham to lead a family-friendly workshop at the Museum of North Vancouver (115 West Esplanade). Deconstructing a Boat is a project inspired by Frank Gehry, who has used an origami technique in the past as an inspiration for his designs.

Participants will create patterns on both side of a piece of paper, then will fold an origami boat. Then, the boat will be unfolded and using the folds as guides, 3 cuts along the fold will be made. Then from that point participants will construct a three dimensional form. This activity deconstructs a familiar form – the boat and transforms it through imagination and play.