Student Collaborations with Vancouver Seniors Showcased at Intergenerational Art Event

Hopehill and Emily Carr University Logos depicting an upcoming partnership

(Vancouver, BC) – The power of creative collaboration will be on display at Emily Carr University of Art + Design (ECU) on October 22. This intergenerational event spotlights a unique photography course that brings together ECU students and seniors from Hopehill Society, one of Vancouver’s longest-standing senior living communities.

The October 22nd event, made possible in partnership with the Business + Higher Education Roundtable and with support from the Government of Canada, aims to build connections between Vancouver seniors and younger students through the power of photography, fostering mutual learning and creative expression. Hopehill residents will share their stories and memories, while ECU students capture their portraits and guide them through a professional photography experience. Through this process, seniors will also get to explore their own creativity, guided by the students. 

Media are invited to attend this intergenerational event at ECU on Tuesday, October 22 to witness the unique initiative firsthand.

  • Date: Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024
  • Time: 10am to 2pm
  • Location: Room D1385, Level 1, Emily Carr University of Art + Design, 520 East 1st Ave, Vancouver, BC, V5T 0H2. (Visit ECU online for an up-to-date parking map).
  • Interview Opportunities: ECU students, faculty member Birthe Piontek and senior participants will be on site and available to the media.
  • Visual Opportunities: Photography and video are permitted.


About the Project

Led by artist and Assistant Dean of Photography Birthe Piontek, this third-year Studio Photography course mobilizes still life and portraiture to explore and comment on evolving issues in art and society.

This year, 14 students partnered with 15 seniors from Hopehill Society for a semester-long collaboration to develop portraits, share knowledge and foster intergenerational artistic dialogue.

“Our partnership with Hopehill provides a unique opportunity for our students by expanding the classroom and regular curriculum to include another generation as collaborators in storytelling and learning,” Birthe says.

Students guide seniors through a professional photography studio environment while providing an inside look at their creative processes. Seniors, in turn, are active collaborators, helping to shape the artistic process through personal reflection. 

“Hopehill Senior Living is dedicated to building a community that thrives on connection and creativity,” says Jamey McDonald, CEO of Hopehill Senior Living. “Partnering with ECU gives our residents the chance to engage with Vancouver’s next generation, creating a meaningful exchange that benefits both groups. It’s an incredible opportunity to break down barriers, share knowledge, and spark creativity in new ways.”

The portraits produced throughout the course offer a profound glimpse into the expressive possibilities of collaborative meaning-making. The project is part of a broader effort to encourage lifelong learning and creative exchange in both student and senior communities.

This course is part of Pathways for Creative Futures, made possible in partnership with the Business + Higher Education Roundtable and with support from the Government of Canada.


Media Contact:

Taylor Assion

Communications Manager

Emily Carr University of Art + Design
[email protected]

c. (236) 858-6715

Jeremy Whittingstall
Loomo Marketing (Hopehill)
[email protected]
c. (604) 210-5592 ext. 1


About Emily Carr University of Art + Design
Merging studio practice, research and critical theory in an interdisciplinary and collaborative environment, ECU encourages experimentation at the intersections of art, design, media and technology. We’re ranked as the top university in Canada for art and design, and 29th in the world.

About Hopehill Society
Hopehill Senior Living is a vibrant senior living community that focuses on providing its residents with a rich and fulfilling lifestyle. Through unique partnerships and events, Hopehill promotes lifelong learning, creativity, and connection.