City crews hang Patrick Belanger's winning banner design from 2016, depicting Newcastle and Protection Islands. (City of Nanaimo)

By Alex Rawnsley

BANNER ART

Calls out for artists to design new banners through Nanaimo streets

Feb 8, 2020 | 6:27 AM

NANAIMO — The City and Rotary Clubs in Nanaimo are teaming for the latest round of street light banners in the region.

Artists are being tasked with representing the work of Rotary in the city over the past 100 years, highlighting past projects and initiatives.

Patrick Belanger won the City competitions in 2016 and 2017 told NanaimoNewsNOW about his first winning entry, a water landscape of Newcastle and Protection Islands.

“I wanted to have a representation of the First Nations people, there’s a flower I used in there that’s unique to Nanaimo and B.C.,” Belanger said. “The idea was to keep it simple, represent scenary in Nanaimo.”

The following year, Belanger used his experience designing for the Royal Canadian Mint to win a Canada 150 themed contest.

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“What happened in Nanaimo in the last 150 years? What are the things that come into focus, beautiful imagery? I did a collage of different elements that to me were representative of what happened in Nanaimo over the last 150 years,” Belanger said.

Artists are restricted in the colours and techniques they can use.

The banners are mounted on light posts along major roads in the City.

“As an artist, it’s cool to travel through and it’s a nice little tap on the shoulder saying ‘hey, you did great’, Belanger said. “I’ve been a graphic designer for 30 years and I’ve done a lot of really cool things and this is just another one you add to the list of things that you do.”

Belanger plans to enter this year’s contest, with entries open until Feb. 28.

The winner receives $2,000, with $200 given to a runner-up design.

More information on the competition is available at the City of Nanaimo website.

alex.rawnsley@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alexrawnsley