Nanaimo’s parks will be refreshed with new public art next year.
Nanaimo city council, at a meeting Monday at the Vancouver Island Conference Centre, approved 10 new works to be displayed in 2019 as part of the temporary outdoor public art program.
Twenty-eight proposals were received by 18 artists or teams of artists, and a selection panel chose 10 – six which will receive a $4,000 honorarium and four which will receive a $1,000 honorarium, totalling $28,000.
“I think this is a wonderful addition to the city, and those who have worked on this over the years deserve our compliments,” said Mayor Leonard Krog.
The successful proposals include: Out From Out Where by Bryan Faubert, Spring by Clausina Van Bemmel, the Raven’s Key by Fred Dobbs, Ocean in Motion by Dobbs, the Conversation Bench by Samuel Camp, Exhausted Tree by George Sabra, Transitions by Angellos Glaros of Glaros Studios, Quotes by Maije Lavergne of Maitri Studio, the Nanaimo Leap Project by Marc Walter, and Fish Wheel by Trinita Waller.
A staff report notes that the temporary public art program is “dynamic and evolving” and “enhances and animates” parks.
“The parks essentially become outdoor art galleries, showcasing artworks for a limited period of time…” the report notes. “Viewing of the changing art pieces provides people a reason to attend the parks and ‘check out’ new pieces of art. Because the art pieces are not permanent, they can also be conservative or controversial, yet advance public art programs at low cost to the municipality.”
The scope of the program in 2019 is similar to 2018, when 11 proposals were approved with honorariums totalling $29,000.
EDITORIAL: Community takes ownership of our public art
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