Before the month’s end, Nathan Scott will attempt to finish sculpting a life-sized cowboy.
As one of more than 50 artists participating in Artishow 2011, Scott is artist-in-residence at the Chateau Victoria Hotel, where his creative process is on display live. The sculptor’s goal is to complete the cowboy by May 30.
“It’s fun to sculpt publicly. It intrigues people,” said the 42-year-old. “Most people don’t ever see artists at work; we’re always behind closed doors.”
Artishow is an eight-month series giving artists the chance to produce their work under the curious eyes of passersby.
“Having the artists out in public gives them the opportunity to have another venue to showcase their work. But it also gives people walking by an opportunity to see an artist at work,” said co-ordinator Barbara Adams.
Five hotels host different artists each month until December in a variety of artistic media, from painting to sculpting to pottery.
Scott says the exposure will be nice, because gaining that is the goal for any artist.
“It’s just a great opportunity to be able to engage the public, but ultimately I’m fishing,” he said. “I don’t know who’s going to be walking through that lobby. But you just go out there, do what you do and hope somebody’s interested.”
Scott is no stranger to public art, many of his statues can be seen on Sidney streets.
A new artist will take up residence at each hotel on a monthly basis. There will also be plein-air events at the hotels on weekends throughout the summer.
“We hope this can help make Victoria a city of artists and (help the city) be known for its artists,” Adams said.
