Amy Pye standing next to her newly wrapped utility box at the corner of Bowen Rd. and Dufferin Cres. in Nanaimo. (submitted photo)

By Alex Rawnsley

URBAN DESIGN

‘Anything can be a canvas:’ utility box wraps through Nanaimo turning boring to beautiful

Jan 15, 2023 | 6:20 AM

NANAIMO — Despite a career in the arts over the last two decades, Amy Pye said seeing a piece of hers in public “never gets old.”

Pye was one of a handful of artists selected by the City of Nanaimo to complete a series of public arts pieces throughout the region, including a utility bin which Pye was assigned at the corner of Bowen Rd. and Dufferin Cres.

It was a new and exciting challenge for Pye, who leaned on extensive experience as a graphic designer to complete the unique piece.

‘It kind of shows that anything can be a canvas. We’re talking about utility bins, it’s not like a billboard, it’s not something you’d typically think of as a canvas and it shows art can be anywhere.”

Her design leaned on her background as a children’s book author and illustrator, in addition to her career in graphic design.

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It was one of the only criteria the City gave, according to Pye, they wanted it to be kid friendly with two elementary schools within walking distance.

“I wanted to do almost a storybook environment and I started actually quite literal as far as a literal story book which was opening up and showing all these adventures but I felt like it was a little too on the nose.”

She ultimately settled on more abstract elements involving characters going on different adventures. Her design was converted into a digitally printed wrap which was mounted in November.

Pye now splits her time between Seattle, Washington and Victoria, but makes regular trips back home to Nanaimo and saw her creation for the first time over the holidays.

The piece turned a bland and boring utility box, which was a prime target for graffiti, into a focal point on a main city corner.

Pye believes the piece, and others commissioned across the city, will deter damaging graffiti and tagging.

“Vandalism will always happen but I think there’s also among street artists, a sense of respect for other people’s art. Utility bins are a blank canvas if you will, but I think having the artwork would help deter that.”

Beginning in 2021, the City’s Urban Design Roster works with local artists and saw eight wraps completed in 2022, including Pye’s.

Approximately $11,500 was spent on the pieces which are dotted around the city.

The City’s website lists 20 people on the roster including well known Snuneymuxw First Nation artist Noel Brown, as well as Patrick Belanger and Robert Plante who Pye called good friends.

More information on the Urban Design Roster and past pieces through Nanaimo is available on the City website.

Other wraps completed by local artists in the last 12 months, including Noel Brown (left, Maffeo Sutton Park), Sebastian Abboud (centre, Skinner St.) and Joel Good (right, Harewood Youth Park) (City of Nanaimo photos)

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