Earlier this year Nanaimo’s Festival of Banners was at the brink of cancellation, but thanks to some vital funding, city street lights will once again bear hand-painted banners.
“As far as we knew, right up until Jan. 23 of this year we were not having the festival,” said project manager Brenda Peck, who has been involved with the festival for 30 of its 33 years.
This year the festival, which had been run by the Nanaimo Arts Council and the Nanaimo Art Gallery before that, is operating independently for the first time.
Peck said there was not enough time to acquire registered non-profit society status and apply for grants, so she turned to the City of Nanaimo for assistance. Culture and heritage coordinator Chris Barfoot then helped connect Peck with the Rotary Clubs of Lantzville and Nanaimo, which are supplying most of the funding to allow the festival to continue. The Port of Nanaimo is also sponsoring the event.
Due to changes at Nanaimo North Town Centre, the festival’s headquarters for the past nine years, Peck said they were also in need of a new studio space. That concern was resolved last month, when a site was found at 890 Crace St.
“It’s a miracle that it even got to move forward this year after separating from Nanaimo Arts Council and not having a spot right up until a week ago Friday,” Peck said. “I think I lost lots of sleep over this, so to be able to have a spot to move into, and then the Rotary Club has graciously helped us move in and build all the stands, it was just amazing. So I’m really happy that everybody’s going to be able to participate.”
Starting today, submissions are open for the 33rd annual Festival of Banners. People have from now until April 5 to submit their banner designs and until April 30 to paint their banners. This festival headquarters at 890 Crace St. is open every day from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until April 30.
“We’re already three weeks behind the starting date, so we really have to hustle to get this done for people to have their banners hung up for the May long weekend,” Peck said.
Those interested in participating in the Festival of Banners can contact organizers at 250-591-5735 or festivalofbanners@gmail.com for more information. The registration fee is $20 and artists must be at least eight years old. All work must be original and painting done on site.
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