By Spencer Sterritt

Nanaimo’s artistic spirit reflected in new downtown outdoor art

Jan 22, 2018 | 10:34 AM

NANAIMO — The walk along Nanaimo’s waterfront around Maffeo Sutton Park will become much more eye catching in coming months.

Eleven new pieces of temporary outdoor artwork for $29,000 were approved unanimously by Nanaimo City Council.

Bruce Anderson, the City’s manager of community and cultural planning told NanaimoNewsNOW the art is a perfect reflection of Nanaimo’s artistic spirit.

“At the community level, we’ve got an awful lot of artists in production and making some very interesting works. It’s wonderful that we’re able to share that with residents and visitors in parks and along our walkways.”

After the pieces are installed in May during Public Art Week, you’ll be able to see a striking bird built from recycled steel and aluminum, a window frame filled with sketches of Nanaimo and copper butterflies taking flight.

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Anderson said the piece which most caught his eye is the Forest Cloak, a nearly two-metre high tree trunk visitors can sit inside to get in tune with nature.

“The idea that you can immerse yourself within a tree trunk, something that looks like it could be quite beautiful, it’s interesting.”

Since the program started in 2010, Anderson said the number of submissions has increased dramatically, with 28 this year from 17 different artist groups.

“It’s quite surprising in terms of the growth, I think, especially in the last couple of years.”

Over the years, some pieces became a much more permanent addition to the waterfront landscape, such as the extremely popular interactive piece titled Frame, where people pose with it in front of the ocean.

Recently, the piece fell into disrepair after standing for several years longer than anticipated but there’s hope a permanent replacement will follow.

Frame was discussed at the Council meeting where the 11 new pieces of art were approved. City staff confirmed they’re working on options for Frame and it won’t be replaced by any of the new artwork.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit