This commission, undertaken as part of a multi-city effort called the “Necklace Project” was conceived in advance of the 2010 Vancouver/Whistler Olympic Winter Games. Each municipality of metro Vancouver constructed a unique and locally interpreted public art based on a mutually developed theme. Cannell create this artwork as a reflection on Burnaby’s past. There are two connected artworks: Vitality and State of Nature. Vitality, presents a traditional Coast Salish family across four basalt stone sculptures, conveying the circle of life with traditional Coast Salish imagery. The companion piece State of Nature presents abstract butterflies, deer, fish, birds, and flora on cast iron grates that lay atop park waterway draining and utility conduits. The artist states: “After the initial visit to Deer Lake Park with my own family, I was thrilled by all of the families there at dance classes and playing on the rolling hills. This has been directly incorporated into my design, through the rolling landscape and the energy flowing through the artwork.”