By Rosie Aceves, Venue Rental Coordinator

On 7 December 2022, MONOVA celebrated the opening of our Feature Exhibit Gallery with the new exhibit You Are Here @ The Shipyards.

The launch event was held in the Museum of North Vancouver’s beautiful multi-purpose event space. As guests arrived, they were greeted by our friendly Guest Services staff with a glass of bubbly and an opportunity to browse the MONOVA Museum Store and explore Streetcar 153 in the lobby.

Creating the Atmosphere

Niña Mendoza set up shop in the Welcome Square with a curated playlist that set the vibe for a welcoming, hip and exciting atmosphere.

“Industrial chic” décor style was the perfect theme and Lounge Works came through with Acacia wood and metal bar fronts for the catering stations, reclaimed Fir wood and cast-iron cocktails tables, lots of candles and lanterns, and of course, a red carpet. Custom-made flower arrangements were provided by our local flower shop Margitta’s Flowers at Lonsdale Quay.

Spotlight on the Caterers

It wouldn’t be a launch party without food and beverages! Guests enjoyed some amazing food that night. Our catering vendors set up stations and prepared their most requested small plates. Over the night, we enjoyed the caterers’ quality, taste and wonderful service.

Served Catering

Served Catering is a leader in the catering industry providing service and elegant cuisine for weddings, corporate, private and special events on the North Shore and throughout Greater Vancouver. Chef Trevor Gostlin had us at “gnocchi.”

Cocktails and Canapés

Specializing in creating distinct culinary experiences as well as conceptualizing, marketing, and producing memorable events of all sizes, people-driven caterer Cocktails and Canapés Chef Jason Harper served a delicious crab and shrimp risotto featuring Dungeness crab, BC shrimp, carnaroli rice, charred lemon, mascarpone, chive, and dill, and lemon tart made with a vanilla tart shell, lemon custard, chantilly and micro basil.

Boy With A Knife

A full-service boutique catering company that’s equipped to handle it all. Boy with a Knife Chef Stephanie Ward created pomegranate-braised short rib with za’atar oil, pomegranate molasses, paprika, dried dates, pine nuts, parsley and pomegranate seeds, as well as house-made roasted garlic hummus with cumin and lemon heirloom carrots… A crowd favourite!

Edge Catering

One of Vancouver’s premiere catering companies, Edge Catering is a vibrant and diverse group of industry professionals brought together with one common goal: to provide exceptional food and remarkable experiences to their clients and their guests. Chef Kristen Chant provided a bao bun station, a popular street food in many Asian countries.

Truffles Fine Foods

With over 15 years of experience, Truffles Fine Foods is a leader in the Metro Vancouver events industry.

Chef Dave Bell served crispy pork belly with polenta and apple thyme relish, smoked carrot lox with dill and caper cashew cream and lavash, and the mini vegan dark chocolate mousse with raspberry compôte.

Salishan Catering

Salishan Catering‘s Chef Denise Sparrow created beautiful Sparrow Brothers Charcuterie featuring cured, smoked or dried meats such as elk, buffalo, venison and deer accompanied with assorted mustards, chutneys, fennel slaw and bannock crisps.

They also served their smoked salmon paté and house smoked salmon platter with seaweed cream cheese, capers, red onions and bannock.

As the night went on, guests mingled and sipped on a special Grapefruit Fizz cocktail made with Cooperpenny Distilling Co.‘s award-winning Gin 005, a local favourite.

Guests enjoyed free access to our Feature and Main Exhibit Galleries, while also taking the opportunity to catch up, get together, create new connections and tell stories. The event was an exhibit opening, a one-year anniversary celebration of the Museum, and a holiday party all in one fun night.

Thank you to all our vendors that participated! We look forward to hosting many more events like this in the near future.

Venue Rentals at MONOVA

MONOVA offers over 2,000 sq.ft. of meeting space available for hosting social celebrations, corporate meetings, weddings, and gala events. You can book the entire Museum for a social or corporate event, or just reserve a venue space for a meeting or a summer wedding.

We are open for event bookings for 2023 and 2024. For inquiries, please contact Rosie Aceves, Venue Rental Coordinator by email acevesr@monova.ca or click the button below for more information.

‘You Are Here @ The Shipyards’ is now on view until January 2024. Visit monova.ca/events for more information and updates on exhibit programming and events.