Granville Island
Snake Lantern Series
Arts Umbrella
For these lanterns, 33 students across four classes at Arts Umbrella were challenged to contribute unique artwork that showcased their personal expression inspired by this year’s theme, 2025 Year of the Snake: Fluidity in Diversity. They were encouraged to think beyond typical depictions of snakes in media and pop culture, and to consider the many different shapes, forms, patterns and textures that the snake could embody, as well as how diversity can bloom when what is different is embraced and celebrated.
Students aged 9-12 and 13-17 in our 3D Modeling and Animation courses used a 3D Modeling software called Blender to create otherworldly digital snakes, while younger students aged 4-6 and 6-8 worked in our Clay Sculpture classes to hand-build and glaze imaginative and colourful ceramic snakes.
Arts Umbrella is where young artists ages 2–22 cultivate their creativity in Art & Design, Dance, and Theatre, Music & Film. As a non-profit centre for arts education, we believe that art is powerful. Powerful enough to change childrens’ lives in incredible ways. When young people connect with the arts, they gain self-confidence, develop self-discipline, and discover creative expression—qualities they carry with them for life.
Arts Umbrella has two locations in Vancouver and Surrey, as well as donor-funded programs at schools, community centres, neighbourhood houses, and healthcare facilities across Metro Vancouver. We reach approximately 20,000 students every year, with nearly 75% participating at little to no cost.
9-12 yrs 3D Modeling & Animation
Instructor: Owen Caddell
Assistant: Leea Contractor
Students:
- Quinn Roarty
- David Liu
- Kayd Burr
- Thomas
- Aaron Wang
9-12 yrs 3D Modeling & Animation
Instructor: Owen Caddell
Assistant: Leea Contractor
Students:
- Jayden Sun
- Sero Fang
- Sebastian Cimenti
- Elliott Engelbrecht
- Connor Haksi
- Hector Leonardo Lopez Rodriguez
13-17 yrs 3D Modeling & Animation
Instructor: Owen Caddell
Assistant: Leea Contractor
Students:
- Yinong Wu
- Jianghao Ruan
- Barrett Bai
- Nathan Lin
- Phoebe Norcott
- Peter Kalmar
- Hiraeth Staples
4-6 yrs Clay Sculpture
Instructor: Danya Gorodetsky
Assistant: Mariana Hermosillo Mendez
Students:
- Olivia Dang
- Katerina Nicolaou
- Riley Ma
- Zoe Nguyen Ho
- Lana Peterson
- Aurora Li
- Jasper Xu
6-8 yrs Clay Sculpture
Instructor: Danya Gorodetsky
Assistant: Mariana Hermosillo Mendez
Students:
- Cole Graham
- Maxim Shevtsov
- Phoebe Hamilton-Bruce
- Zelda Brinkman
- Charlie Zhang
- Alexander Tse
- Beitris Ritchie
- Aria Tse
The Lantern City is grateful to be held on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Coast Salish peoples of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish Nation), and Səl̓ílwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh Nation). We acknowledge our privilege to be gathered on this land, and commit to work with and be respectful to the Indigenous peoples whose arts and stories inspire us to bring communities together.
