Port Coquitlam Community Canvas: How Make•Share•September Brought Generations Together
A look back at Make•Share•September 2026 and the artwork Port Coquitlam created together.
What began as a blank canvas became a colourful record of Port Coquitlam. Throughout September 2026, people added flowers, handprints, landscapes, words, symbols, and personal touches to the Port Coquitlam Community Canvas, creating one artwork from hundreds of individual ideas.
Participants ranged from just 8 months old to people in their 90s. Some arrived ready to paint, while others made their first mark after a little encouragement. Every contribution became part of a larger story about creativity, belonging and spending time together.
Make•Share•September was created by Poco Living in collaboration with local artist Feona Schalk and the Tiny Studio. The month-long initiative combined an online invitation to share creativity with free in-person art activities across Port Coquitlam.
For details about the original invitation and how the project was introduced, read Make•Share•September Invites Port Coquitlam to Create and Share Art.
How the Port Coquitlam Community Canvas grew throughout September
Residents added their art to the Community Canvas during weekend activities at the home of the Tiny Studio and during visits to other local spaces. There was no required style, skill level, or definition of what a contribution needed to be. A few brushstrokes, a drawing, a word, or a handprint could all find a place.
As the canvas filled, very different contributions began to sit side by side. The finished artwork reflects the many ages, experiences, and creative approaches of the people who participated without asking any of them to look alike.
Participants also signed their names on panels now preserved on the back of the framed artwork. Together, the art on the front and the names on the back recognize the people who brought the project to life.
For Poco Living and Feona, the month also created time to meet neighbours, welcome new visitors, and enjoy conversations while people made art. The finished canvas is part of the story, but so is the time people spent together creating it.
Free art stations at the home of the Tiny Studio
Alongside the canvas, free art stations gave visitors room to make something of their own at 1670 Taylor Street in Port Coquitlam. All materials were provided, making it easy to sit down, experiment, and enjoy the process without bringing supplies or having previous experience.
Some visitors painted or crafted, while others explored the Tiny Studio, spent time with family, or stayed to talk with people around the tables. The flexible setup allowed everyone to participate at their own pace.
The Tiny Studio's invitation to make art, take art, and leave art carried through the month. The small public art-sharing space complemented the larger activities around it by encouraging visitors to discover art made by someone else, contribute supplies, or leave behind a creation of their own.
Learn more about the Tiny Studio in Port Coquitlam.
Free professional face painting for the grand finale
The final weekend on September 26 and 27 included free professional face painting and glitter tattoos by Neon Light Facepaint.
People of all ages could choose from the face-painting menu, enjoy the free art stations, and make a final contribution to the canvas during the same visit. The added activity brought even more colour and excitement to the closing weekend.
Thank you to Hayley and the Neon Light Facepaint team for helping make the Make•Share•September grand finale special.
Bringing the Community Canvas to the Wilson Seniors Group
Making the project accessible to seniors was an important part of Make•Share•September. Feona wanted older members of the community to have a meaningful opportunity to participate, including people who might not be able to visit the Tiny Studio.
On Friday, September 18, Feona brought the canvas to the Wilson Senior Centre at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre. The activity took place inside the room where the Wilson Seniors Group meets, bringing it directly into a familiar and accessible gathering space.
With all materials provided, members could add artwork and names, talk with Feona, and become part of the growing piece.
The visit showed why inclusion sometimes means taking an activity to the people it hopes to reach. Meeting seniors where they already gather made participating easier and ensured that their creativity became part of the finished artwork.
Thank you to the seniors who welcomed Feona, Poco Living, and the Community Canvas into their space, and to the City of Port Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam Community Centre staff for helping make the visit possible.
Local businesses welcomed the Community Canvas
The canvas also spent a day at Cassandra Cake Co. and another at Opus Art Supplies Port Coquitlam. These visits created additional ways for people to encounter the project and participate beyond the Tiny Studio's weekend activities.
Cassandra Cake Co.
Cassandra Cake Co. welcomed the Community Canvas for a one-day visit, making room for people to participate at the local bakery and café.
Thank you to Cassandra and the Cassandra Cake Co. team for hosting the artwork and helping extend the invitation to more people in Port Coquitlam.
Location: Unit 105, 2331 Marpole Avenue, Port Coquitlam.
Opus Art Supplies Port Coquitlam
Opus Art Supplies Port Coquitlam hosted the canvas on Wednesday, September 23. Feona welcomed visitors as they tried art materials and added their marks to the growing artwork.
Opus also supported Make•Share•September by sponsoring supplies for the Community Canvas, the free art stations, and the professional face painting offered during the final weekend.
Thank you to the Opus Port Coquitlam team for welcoming the project into the store and helping provide materials that kept the activities free and accessible.
Location: Unit 102A, 2748 Lougheed Highway, Port Coquitlam.
Feona Schalk and the invitation to create
Feona's welcome and encouragement were central to the in-person experience. Throughout September, she opened her space, organized the creative stations, helped people get started, facilitated contributions, and brought the artwork to other locations.
Her approach gave visitors someone to turn to when they were unsure what to make while leaving room for every person to follow their own ideas. The project built on her ongoing work through the Tiny Studio and her home art studio in Port Coquitlam.
Poco Living led the broader invitation and digital showcase, shared updates throughout the month, and connected residents with opportunities to participate. Together, Poco Living and Feona brought online sharing and in-person creativity into one project.
Visit Feona Schalk's website to explore her artwork and studio, or read Poco Living's feature about Feona Paints and her community-focused home art studio.
The finished Community Canvas is ready for its next home
The Community Canvas is complete, professionally framed, and ready to hang in a loving new home where people can continue to enjoy it. Plans for its future display location are in the works, so stay tuned to find out where it will be placed.
The hope is that participants will soon be able to visit the artwork, find the part they created, and remember the role they played in something made together.
Although the September activities have ended, the finished piece preserves contributions from different generations and places across Port Coquitlam.
See more photos and videos from the project on Poco Living's Instagram and Poco Living's Facebook page.
Make•Share•September 2026 at a glance
Created by: Poco Living in collaboration with Feona Schalk and the Tiny Studio
Project period: September 2026
Main location: Home of the Tiny Studio, 1670 Taylor Street, Port Coquitlam
Activities: Community Canvas contributions, free art stations, online art sharing, professional face painting and glitter tattoos
Participants: From 8 months old to people in their 90s
Additional canvas visits: Wilson Seniors Group, Cassandra Cake Co. and Opus Art Supplies Port Coquitlam
Cost: Free, with materials provided for the in-person activities
Current canvas status: Complete, professionally framed, and awaiting confirmation of its future display location
Frequently asked questions about the Port Coquitlam Community Canvas
What was Make•Share•September?
Make•Share•September was a month-long initiative created by Poco Living in collaboration with Feona Schalk and the Tiny Studio. It invited people to share creativity online and join free in-person art activities throughout September 2026.
What is the Community Canvas?
The Community Canvas is a collaborative artwork made from individual contributions added by people across Port Coquitlam. The finished piece also preserves the participants' names on its back.
Who participated in the artwork?
Participants ranged from babies as young as 8 months old to people in their 90s. Beginners and experienced artists were welcome, and no artistic background was required.
Were the activities and art supplies free?
Yes. Participation in the Community Canvas and art stations was free, with materials provided. Professional face painting and glitter tattoos were also offered free during the final weekend.
Where is the Tiny Studio?
The Tiny Studio is located at 1670 Taylor Street in Port Coquitlam. The special Make•Share•September activities have ended, but readers can visit Feona Schalk's website for studio information and future activities.
Who provided the professional face painting?
Neon Light Facepaint provided professional face painting and glitter tattoos during the final weekend on September 26 and 27.
How were seniors included?
Feona brought the canvas to the Wilson Seniors Group on September 18. The session took place inside the group's meeting room at the Port Coquitlam Community Centre, with supplies provided so members could participate in a familiar and accessible space.
Which businesses hosted the Community Canvas?
Cassandra Cake Co. and Opus Art Supplies Port Coquitlam each hosted the canvas for a one-day visit. Opus also sponsored supplies for the canvas, art stations, and final-weekend face painting.
Can people still add to the Community Canvas?
No. The September participation sessions have concluded, and the artwork is now complete and professionally framed.
Where will the finished Community Canvas be displayed?
Plans for a loving new home are in the works. Poco Living will share the location once it has been confirmed.
Will Make•Share•September return?
A future edition has not been confirmed. Follow Poco Living on Instagram and Feona Schalk for future announcements.
Thank you for creating together
Thank you to everyone who added a mark, signed a name, made something at an art station, shared creativity online, or simply spent time with others during Make•Share•September.
Thank you to Feona for welcoming people into her space, to the Wilson Seniors Group for welcoming the project into theirs, and to Cassandra Cake Co., Opus Art Supplies Port Coquitlam, and Neon Light Facepaint for their contributions.
What started as a blank canvas became a beautiful artwork made by many hands and a reminder of how much can grow from one invitation to create together.
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