Campaign To Save Kogawa House
The Save Kogawa House committee initiated a campaign to save Kogawa's childhood home in the Marpole neighborhood of Vancouver from demolition. They developed national support from writers and writing organizations across Canada demonstrating that the house at 1450 West 64th Avenue was regarded by many as having historical value and literary significance, similar to Berton House, Emily Carr House and the Haig-Brown Institute. The Save Kogawa House committee made a successful presentation to the City of Vancouver councilors to create an unprecedented 120-day delay of the processing of a demolition permit on November 3, 2005, two days after the city had pronounced Obasan Cherry Tree Day and planted a graft of the cherry tree at Vancouver City Hall from the original tree at Kogawa House.
The Land Conservancy of British Columbia, became involved in the saving of Kogawa House on December 2, 2005. Working with the Save Kogawa House committee, TLC took over the fund-raising efforts and media attention. TLC became the owners of the house on May 31, 2006. They now are attempting to raise funds to renovate the house to its appearance when Joy lived there in the late 1930s and early 1940s.
The Historic Joy Kogawa House Society has operated a writer-in-residence program in the house since 2008. They have hosted two writers to date: poet and editor Dr. John Asfour of Montreal in 2009, and novelist and writing educator Nancy Lee of Richmond in 2010. The next writer will be in residence beginning September 15, 2011, and continuing until March 15, 2012. Applications for writers are solicited in an open call to writers' associations and arts councils across Canada. Application guidelines are posted on the Society's website at www.kogawahouse.com.
Read more about this topic: Joy Kogawa
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