DUDE CHILLING PARK:
RETURN OF THE DUDE

"The Dude" (officially titled "Reclining Figure") was created by artist Michael Dennis of natural cedar. It has been a mainstay of Vancouver's Guelph Park since 1991, inspiring the park's official nickname, "Dude Chilling Park".  In 2012, local artist Viktor Briestensky was inspired to erect his own piece of renegade art in the park: a replica of a City of Vancouver park sign emblazoned with the park's nickname 'Dude Chilling'. After that initial sign was taken down by the city, public outrage led to a community campaign being waged to save the park and restore the sign. The official re-naming campaign was unsuccessful, but in 2014, The City of Vancouver compromised by installing a permanent "Dude Chilling Park" sign which co-exists with Guelph Park's official sign. The "Dude Chilling Park" sign installation gained international attention, with The Jimmy Kimmel Show even sharing the love.

THE DUDE NEEDS OUR HELP!

Sculpted of natural cedar wood, "The Dude"  deteriorated quite a bit over the years. In 2017, it was removed from the park and transported to the artist for repair.  “The Dude” is being cast in bronze and will need to be transported back from Denman Island to abide on its original resting place at Dude Chilling Park.

THE GOAL

We need to raise the funds necessary to help cover the expense of the restoration of "The Dude" and to bring the restored sculpture back to its home in Vancouver’s Dude Chilling (Guelph) Park for a long-term installation. This campaign will end on MAY 30, 2019. The hope is that we might have "The Dude" bronzed and chilling in the sun, by late summer of this year and we can all celebrate with a Community Picnic! 

THE COSTS

Our fundraising goal is $10,000. The Vancouver Art House Society is running the campaign and the majority of the funds raised will be used to cover the cost of the bronze casting, transporting and installing the sculpture. Including artist fees and long term maintenance for the sculpture that will be paid directly to the Mount Pleasant Community Centre Association who is managing the installation.

*plus administrative campaign costs will be included.

THE ACTION

You can contribute any amount you wish to help bring “The Dude” home. Just click the handy BACK IT button. We also have a number of perks available to motivate your donations. Check back often - new incentives will be updated daily! There's even a fundraiser screening of the ultimate DUDE film, The Big Lebowski on Thursday April 18th 6:30pm at Vancouver's Rio Theatre.

THAT SCULPTURE REALLY TIED THE PARK TOGETHER :
PROOF THAT ART IS TRANSFORMATIVE!

"As someone who has lived across the street from Guelph Park for over 15 years, I have seen the difference that art has made in my community. When the Dude Chilling sign first appeared, people took notice of the park and our little patch of green space came alive. Before the name change, no one used the park (except for a few regulars passed out on a bench) and I didn't feel safe walking through the park with my young daughter. After the name change the community really embraced the park. The name inspired something unique and people claimed the park as their own. Now, there's a community garden, free yoga, picnics, people slack lining, kick ball, birthday parties, Tinder dates and more! The 'Dude Chilling' sign has become a big draw and the park is an Instagram destination sensation! Returning the original "Dude" sculpture to its rightful resting spot in Dude Chilling Park will bring the whole transformation full circle."

-Corinne Lea, Rio Theatre

"The Dude abides. I don't know about you, but I take comfort in that. It's good knowin' he's out there. The Dude. Takin' 'er easy for all us..."

-Joel and Ethan Cohen, The Big Lebowski