Gabriola artists are adding a splash of colour to the island’s neighbourhoods with painted power poles.
The project was initiated by the Gabriola Arts Council and is meant to be a fun community event people can participate and showcase the talent of local artists.
“Gabriola has one of the highest concentrations of artists in Canada,” said Kathy Ramsey, council president. “This project is all about community building.”
So far the arts council has painted one pole as a test to figure out the logistics, but has four neighbourhoods – Coho Drive, Taylor Bay, Harrison Way and Folklife Village – selected for the project.
Ted Olynyk, B.C. Hydro spokesman, said the company gets requests from community groups from across Vancouver Island to paint poles, adding many use the method to deal with graffiti issues in their communities.
“We have agreed as long as they follow the strict safety procedures and guidelines we give them,” said Olynyk.
He said B.C. Hydro has received some e-mails from people who were confused about where the people are painting poles next and how many are going to be painted.
Which poles to paint and what to put on them is a community decision.
Ramsey said there have been a few concerns raised, however, artists will be meeting with the neighbourhood residents to discuss what makes each neighbourhood unique and create images to paint on the poles based on those discussions.
After the images have been selected, the pole design will be presented to the Gabriola Island’s Trust and Gabriola Regional District of Nanaimo representatives for final approval.
For more information, please go to www.gabriolaartscouncil.org.
