Think there's something missing in Prince George?
Two communication design students at Emily Carr University of Art and Design, including Prince George's Jean Chisholm, have decided to help out with that by creating their fourth year thesis, Hometown Project.
Janine Merkl from Medicine Hat, Alberta and Chisholm wanted to find out if their home cities could support more local culture and economies and want local residents to share their ideas on the website hometownproject.ca.
"Throughout my time here at Emily Carr, I've tried to do projects about Prince George, focusing on new local businesses or a photo essay because I've always been super inspired and in love with the place and I loved growing up there but it's interesting that my perception of the place is not like those of others, especially in Vancouver," said Chisholm. "Most people don't even know where it is on the map, so it's fun to be able to talk about Prince George and share my experience that doesn't match the perception that other people have of it."
Chisholm said they both wanted to promote their hometowns and expose them in a new light.
"We're hoping people will bring ideas that might not seem like they would make sense in Prince George or feel like they're not going to work in Prince George but when in fact, they just might," said Chisholm. "We're thinking about local community stuff that people want to see but don't think will happen."
Chisholm sited a grocery store with locally grown products, local small business ideas, bike lanes.
"What's your favourite city in the world and why isn't Prince George that and what does Prince George need to become that place for you?" Chisholm asked. "We want to inspire people and let them know that once you start making and doing things yourself a lot of momentum can happen. Small towns are such great places to get support and you just need to put your idea out there
and know where to look for support."
Last semester the hometown project's thesis was created, including a project outline and a campaign to get people interested. This semester the web site prototype was laid out to act as online community bulletin board. People have been asking how they can help with the project.
"It would be really fun if there was a web-based platform where you could sign up to be a resource and then if someone had a project they could connect with you or vice versa," said Chisholm. "We want our web site to facilitate those kinds of relationships."
Check out the web site at hometownproject.ca or visit facebook.com/hometownproject).
