Salmon Coming Home tutu designed by Liana O'Brien, Pat Piercy, Mary Parker, Jacquelyn Rey, Bessie Harvie and Marjory Hope on behalf of The Port Theatre

The Port Theatre chose to meld their beautiful location on coastal Vancouver Island with the theme of the landmark 60th Anniversary. Their muse was the permanent art installation which graces The Port Theatre Lobby, titled “Salmon Coming Home”. This sculpture of more than 100 carved salmon swimming along the lobby wall was created by British Columbian Aboriginal artist Phill Ashbee. Volunteers made 60 fish out of lightly padded gold, bronze and copper fabric, which were attached to the tutu, each fish representative of one year of the National Ballet. The quilted basque of bronze fabric was inspired by the panoramic view of the Coast Mountain Range from the theatre.
The Port Theatre of Nanaimo, British Columbia, has more than 200 dedicated volunteers who staff audience services roles such as ticket checkers, ushers and seating guides. A group of six of these volunteers enthusiastically jumped on board to decorate a tutu in recognition of The National Ballet of Canada’s 60th Anniversary.