FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

New Nativity Carving Points to Hope Against Homelessness

(West Vancouver, www.dundaravefestival.com) December 3, 2010 The Dundarave Festival of Lights will unveil at 1:00 pm, Saturday December 4th a new carving of King Melchior to complete the Dundarave Nativity.

The King has been an obsession and labour of love for Master Carver Bill Seminoff, who spent seven hundred hours since April 14th calling the figure out of one ton of salvaged old growth red cedar. The wood was a gift of Timberwest Forest Products.

The Dundarave Nativity is an iconic depiction of the homeless family that is at the heart of the Christmas story, carved of old growth cedar by an unidentified Aboriginal artist.

"This new king points to the depth of love we have to bring, especially in this season, in order to make meaningful social change happen for the homeless people in our community," said SFU's Michael Markwick for the Dundarave Festival of Lights. "We're close to raising $75,000 for the Lookout Emergency Aid Society's North Shore Shelter, from two Christmases past to this Christmas. And this gold-bearing king shows how we can all make a meaningful impact on the lives of the most vulnerable people in our community."

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Dr. Michael Markwick, 778-847-1426
School of Communication
SIMON FRASER UNIVERSITY