A call is going out to artists interested in displaying their work in an outdoor gallery.
Gallery Row, located in the alley between The Shoppes at Fitzwilliam and Wallace streets, is being updated and new artwork is sought for a grand unveiling in May. Two sculptures from the City of Nanaimo’s public art project will also be included.
A collection of works by local artists was first assembled by volunteers there in 2000 to try and beautify the loosely connected set of buildings that had clearly seen better days.
Now a painstaking redevelopment of the entire commercial corner is nearing completion.
A group of local arts supporters began planning and working on the Gallery Row Public Art Revitalization Project this year in conjunction with George Ewing, who owns the historic commercial corner.
Ewing also created and donated the decorative wrought iron framework stretching across the building that will display the artwork.
Committee members are asking for artists who wish to submit pieces of their own creation for exhibition in the outdoor gallery.
They are also assembling a group of jurors to choose from among the submissions for the first exhibit.
A series of arts and cultural events are planned in the area to coincide with the city’s upcoming Public Art Week May 9-16.
Artists whose work has been chosen will have their pieces installed in the frames and invited as guests to the public unveiling ceremony on May 14.
Plans are to have two exhibitions per year in the Gallery Row Public Art space and to encourage young and emerging artists to participate fully in the process.
For more information on submissions, please e-mail galleryrowpublicart@gmail.com or visit Gates and Gifts at 308 Fitzwilliam St.
