Spark Arts 2023

An uplifting tale of love, courage and letting go.

Abi and her Grandad tell each other Anansi folktales. They play games as they work together in the garden among the beautiful flowers and tasty vegetables. It’s true, Grandad is as smart and mischievous as the wily Anansi legend but can he find a way to tell his granddaughter about his plans to return to Jamaica, his beloved homeland?

This humorous and heart-felt intergenerational story of love and courage by award-winning children’s author Elayne Ogbeta will spark reflection on our connection to family near or far and the power of storytelling to help us understand the world around us.

Written by Kwantlen First Nation artist Joseph A. Dandurand, Kwi’ah: The Girl Who Heals explores the issues around health and uncertainty, encouraging us to uplift our communities during dark times.

Journey to a time long ago on the Kwantlen lands and meet Kwi’ah, a young woman who ventures across a river and into a great cedar forest to seek understanding on how to heal her people from a terrible sickness. The ancient healer Sasq’ets (Sasquatch) may have the wisdom Kwi’ah seeks.

A Bucket of Beetles from the acclaimed artists of Paper Moon Puppet Theatre returns after enthusiastic response from students and educators in the 2021 WeeFestival.

Based on a story told by a 5-year old little boy with designs inspired by his drawings “A Bucket of Beetles” asks us whether we are doing all we can to care for the water, the earth and the air.

Wehea is a little boy who lives in a big rain forest. Just like any other people who live there, Wehea has a special connection with nature. Even the smallest beings in the forest are his friends. One day, he sees a very special rhinoceros beetle and sets off on an adventure to meet it! What unfolds is a story about friendship and the special connection between humans and nature.

A heartwarming and hilarious tale about friendship and change.

This beautifully designed puppetry work is performed without words to an enchanting musical score. Young audiences will engage with the story’s themes of friendship, communication, play, and adjusting to change.

In a storybook world where rivers sing, trees laugh, and curious dragonflies come to visit, a grumpy little old man lives in his little house. Every day is the same and he likes it this way-until one day, a magical creature leaps into his world and everything changes!