Shushma Datt

The Royal B.C. Museum in Victoria officially opened its Free Spirit Exhibition which commemorates the 150th anniversary of this province. The exhibition documents the story of B.C., but not in a traditional or chronological sense.

“British Columbia’s story is populated with innovators, adventurers, creative thinkers and trendsetters (and) this project is a chance to celebrate and to explore that story,” said RBCM CEO Pauline Rafferty in explaining that the new exhibition is meant to convey the province’s colourful history in an interactive way that connects with visitors.

One of the components of the 10,000 square foot exhibition is “The Party,” a collage of 123 individuals who have contributed to the rich and colorful heritage of B.C. over the past 150 years. The museum describes “The Party” as a “glorious crowd of British Columbians – famous and infamous, living and dead.” The collection of life-sized images is made up of people from diverse backgrounds and all walks of life. 

“The Party” includes “Ma” Murray and Billy Barker, Emily Carr, “Wacky” Bennett, Nat Bailey, Jimmy Pattison, Chief Judith Sayer, Patrick Moore, Terry Fox, David Foster, Joe Sakic, Tony Onley, Nellie Furtado, David Suzuki, Rick Hansen and many others. “I’m honoured and humbled, and I don’t even know what else to say,” said Shushma Datt who was included with the illustrious group at the RBCM.

Grant Hughes, director of curatorial services at the museum, explained that the individuals representing the historical group were selected through various methods.   “It was really a combination of things which decided who would be in the collage.  We referred to the Encyclopedia of B.C. and the province’s general history. In the end, it was a combination of research and staff votes that decided the final group.”

Datt is owner and CEO of i.t. Productions Ltd. Media properties include Radio Rim Jhim and RJ 1200. The organization also produces nine television programs including Women in Focus, What’s New in Vancouver, and Saturday Hungama.

The exhibition will be open until January 11, 2009.   Information about the exhibit, and a full list of “The Party” guests is online at www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca.