LOVE ARTS NANAIMO

Updates from Culture & Events

City of Nanaimo // December 2021

Image: Jesse Gray, Scrap Figure, 2020 and concept sketch for Chimes for the South End, 2022

Two projects by Nanaimo-based Artists
Selected for City Program

We are pleased to announce the final selections for the Temporary Public Art Program in 2022, which will unfold over the course of 2022, and will remain on view until 2026. We greatly look forward to working with the artists to bring these new works into the community! Opportunities to participate and learn more will be announced throughout the year.

Jesse Gray, Chimes for the South End
This new sculpture work, to be located in Deverill Square Park, will use locally-collected plastic trash that will be cast into bronze chimes that can be activated by visitors. The process of creating the work will invite community participation in activities leading up to the fabrication and installation of the work. Once on view, the chimes can be activated as an interactive sound sculpture.

Curtis Grahauer, Working title: Millstone (one year of a river) 
Grahauer will spend a year documenting the progressive transformation of the Millstone River as it courses through Bowen Park. With periodic updates, and interactive signage, the artist will share his filmmaking process throughout the year. A film screening in the Bowen Park Amphitheatre will take place at the conclusion of the project.

Images: Curtis Grahauer, stills from As far upriver as you can go before having to switch to a pole, 2018
and film screening location in Bowen Amphitheatre

More about Public Art Projects

Nanaimo's Poet Laureate
Winter Poem
Image: Snow covered bench at Piper's Lagoon, 2020, Sabrina Patrice Photography

 

The First Snowfall

Late afternoon sky,
the sun blotted by ruffled clouds,
tinted a mellow gold.
The day seems languid, but daylight no longer lingers.
It is the first snowfall of the season,
still waters of Nanaimo river, mirror soaring pines and arbutus,
their serrated silhouettes melting into the molten waters.
Mallards and pintails sweep low,
skim the waters and dive up into the fresh wintry air,
to ride on cushions of sudden gusts of ocean breeze.
All is cloaked in silence, so eerie.

Standing on a wooden bridge
flanking the river,
I watch a heron poised on a rocky ledge
eyeing me with a curious stare,
spellbound by the magic of winter in Nanaimo.

Kamal Parmar, 2021



Listen to Kamal Recite Her Poem

 

Image: Pipers Lagoon in Winter, 2020, Sabrina Patrice Photography

Nanaimo’s Poet Laureate Kamal Parmar has been busy all throughout the fall organizing reading events and creating opportunities for poetry to flourish in Nanaimo. This coming January, she’s offering a special workshop for seniors through the Harbour City Seniors program, for those who’d like to try their own hand at poetry. This four-part series introduces writers to poetry as a healing practice, running once a week at 10:30am, from Bowen Park Complex, starting on January 19th.


To register contact: 250-756-5200

View and Download the Seniors Newsletter

New Strategic Funding Opportunities for Arts Organizations at the Provincial and Federal Level

Recent announcements from government funders at the provincial and federal level in Arts and Culture bring opportunities to make impactful change. Don’t miss your opportunity to apply! To learn more or to apply for financial support for your organization, follow the links below:

BC Arts Council - Arts Impact Grant, Deadline: January 20, 2022
BC Arts Council Arts Impact Grant

A responsive and flexible funding program, the arts impact grants have a maximum request of $30,000. The program allows applicants to prioritize a project that will provide the most necessary and meaningful impact to their organization, practice, and/or community during this time of recovery, renewal, and change.


Canada Council for the Arts - Strategic Innovation Fund Deadlines: Various
Strategic Innovation Fund - Canada Council for the Arts

From 2021 to 2026, Canada Council will invest $200+ million in an innovative rebuilding of the arts sector. The Strategic Innovation Fund offers access to grants, partnerships, outreach events and resources. The aim is to build the capacity of artists, arts professionals, arts groups, collectives and organizations to try new ideas, share knowledge, find networks, create prototypes and scale up ambitious solutions. The five streams have upcoming deadlines in Spring 2022.

An Expression of Gratitude

Images: Erin Gibbs, Gratitude, 2021

Wrapping up an eventful 2021, we wish to express our gratitude to everyone who took part in Culture & Events initiatives, programs and activities over the past year. 

Looking forward to seeing you in 2022!

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With respect & gratitude, we acknowledge that our work is carried out on the
territory of the Snuneymuxw people

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