Designed by local artist Amy Pye, ten different light projections are installed along Commercial St., focusing on different sensory aspects of Nanaimo. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By NanaimoNewsNOW Staff

shine bright

New downtown Nanaimo art installation creating a sensory experience

Dec 7, 2025 | 6:20 AM

NANAIMO — Newly installed lights are projecting artwork onto the revamped Commercial St.

The City unveiled “Sensing Nanaimo” on Thursday, Dec. 4, featuring a series of black and white projected artworks along Commercial St.

A total of 10 circular designs are scattered along the downtown corridor, with artist Amy Pye opting to represent the five senses of sight, sound, taste, touch and smell, in combination with feelings of balance, movement, temperature, direction and intuition.

“Public art has the power to change how we move through our city,” Pye said in a statement. “Through Sensing Nanaimo, I aimed to create a series of small but meaningful moments, visual cues that encourage reflection, spark joy and deepen our connection to the places we share.”

The projections each show a different theme, and are staged along the entire Commercial corridor. (Jordan Davidson/NanaimoNewsNOW)

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Each design focuses on a moment tied to those themes and their place in Nanaimo, including depictions of paddle-boarders, coffee, local food and music.

The designs, when viewed in the right order, are also meant to tell a story, encouraging visitors to pause and reflect on community.

According to the City, the projections will remain permanently on Commercial St., either side of Bastion St., even as continued renovations occur through the corridor.

Phase one of construction, encompassing the northern half of the street, was completed in spring 2025, after extensive delays.

City officials are planning a 2027 start for phase two of the project, taking improvements down to the Terminal Ave. intersection.

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