What better setting to see artwork by sculptors from our region than the picturesque Sidney waterfront.
In late 2011, citizens, the Town of Sidney teamed up with the Community Arts Council of the Saanich Peninsula to pull together the Seaside Sculpture Walk, adding to an array of public art that already graces its waterfront.
Twelve sculptures are placed in strategic locations along two kilometres of the waterfront walkway between Weiler Avenue and Oakville Avenue. Each piece will stay in its location, donated to the town for at least two years. The plan is to replace the artwork, lending an ever-changing gallery to the walk.
The first piece, Sanctuary of Piece, was installed in early May.
“I think it’s great for our town, great for the visitors to the town, great for our residents and great for the artists because they have the opportunity to display their work. It’s like an outdoor gallery,” said Richard Paquette of the Sidney Seaside Sculpture Walk committee and one of the residents of Sidney who initiated the idea. “My vision of it is to see this expand. It’ll go from 12 and next year we’ll add another six and it’ll eventually extend the length of the walkway. When it is fully realized it could be an attraction on its own.”
Members of the selection committee, who chose the art, opted for variety and pieces that would evoke thought.
The only costs to the town are the installation of the bases for each piece, plus staff time. Entry fees and commission earned if any pieces sell help recuperate some of those costs, Paquette said.
“It’s simply another initiative that makes our town that much better.”
To launch the official opening of the sculpture walk, the town will host a community celebration at 11 a.m. Friday, June 8 at the pavillion in Beacon Park, at the end of Beacon Avenue. Artists will be on hand to discuss their work, as well as live music and refreshments.
More information on the Seaside Sculpture Walk is at www.sculpturewalk.ca.