The City of Nelson’s Cultural Development Commission has announced that Brent Bukowski, a prominent local artist, has been chosen to create and build a new railing across the Baker Street Bridge in the newly-coined Railtown district.
Bukowski, who has had solo exhibitions at Touchstones Nelson and the Oxygen Art Centre, works primarily with found objects such as metal and glass, the majority of which have been reclaimed from forestry and mining waste at the regional landfill.
“I am honoured to have been chosen for this opportunity” says Bukowski “This is my first public art commission, something I have been working towards for a long time, and that it happens to be in Nelson, where my children were born, is such a bonus.”
An independent jury, formed by the Cultural Development Commission, spent much time deliberating.
“The jury was challenged by an impressive field of creative and inspired designs”, says Steven Kaup, jury member and principal of Studio 9 Architecture + Planning. “Ideas ranged from references to the creek and nature, or concepts bridging the connection to Railtown — which the jury was inclined to like the most. The chosen design is an innovative use of recycled components that speaks to both historic Nelson and the creative culture of today’s Nelson.”
This railing is a first step in implementing the city’s Downtown and Waterfront Master Plan, which recognizes the historical importance of the railway in Nelson by renaming the lower Baker Street area Railtown. The Railtown district is expected to grow in significance in the coming years, showcasing the restored CP stationhouse which will house, amongst other uses, a regional visitor gateway and business welcome centre.
Provincial grant funds received through the LocalMotion program will be used for the railing, and to install sidewalks, curbing and heritage light standards at the four-way stop at the foot of Baker Street.
The City of Nelson’s Cultural Development Commission is dedicated to the development, promotion and enhancement of Nelson’s art and culture sector.
Follow this project at brentbukowski.ca.