The Case of the Vanishing Beast

(I keep meaning to cover our what-are-Vancouver-museums-collecting-now talk from the other week, but get distracted by other cool happenings, like this one. That collecting post is coming soon—honest!)

We love, love, love this gingerbread-house event we’re hosting this week at the Museum.

Following a successful run last year, the talented minds at Creative Room, a Vancouver design collective, have put out a call to architects and designers to “re-envision the traditional typology of the gingerbread house.” In other words: eighty-six the smarties, lollipops, and gummies, and modernize the houses beneath. Eleven finalists have been selected, and their houses (projects?) are now on view at the Museum. In addition, an online auction opened last week, with all proceeds going to the Vancouver chapter of Architecture for Humanity. On Thursday, December 10 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m., we’ll host the Gingerbread Gala. The judges will critique the finalists, the bidding will close, and the winners will be announced. Preview images and descriptions of each house on Creative Room’s website and purchase tickets here. Right now, Nick Milkovich Architects’ Sugar Shack, pictured above, has the highest bid…

So, here’s a holiday plan for you and the kids: come to the Museum this week. Check out the gingerbread houses (they’ll be around until Sunday). Then, proceed to the Ravishing Beasts exhibit armed with our self-led family program/mystery guide: The Case of the Vanishing Beast. Our family and education staff have developed a compelling detective case, solved by collecting clues found in the exhibit. Learn about animals, local species, and history—and it’s free with admission. Details on that program here.

Happy holidays!