By Spencer Sterritt

Artists ready to turn A&B Sound building into eye-catching outdoor gallery

May 14, 2018 | 10:43 PM

NANAIMO – A downtown building will soon draw the eyes for reasons other than its boarded up windows.

The group Humanity in Art is ready to cover the walls of the A&B Sound building with murals after quickly raising $10,000.

Curator and artist Alyssa Glassford said they never could have expected being able to raise the money in only five weeks.

“We had a lot more support from places we didn’t expect, a lot of contracting companies,” she told NanaimoNewsNOW. “It’s been a huge reach throughout Nanaimo. We’ve had a lot of businesses over in the north end think it’s a great idea and offering help.”

Community support was also a major driver of their success, including a sleeve and slice night which put them at the $10,000 goal.

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The money is now being used to order supplies. Glassford said they’re awaiting a paint order and then can begin hopefully this weekend during Public Art Week.

Though the A&B Sound building is a continuing sore spot for downtown residents, Glassford said she and other artists can make the best of a poor situation until the building is dealt with.

“We want to draw people downtown. There should be something on the building that everyone likes.”

Five community artists were selected to draw the murals. Without giving anything away, Glassford said people should be on the lookout of big, startling pieces of work unlike anything they’ve ever seen before.

Each artist will paint for two weeks during the day so interested people and tourists can watch the former blight of downtown Nanaimo become a colourful gem.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit