Baker Street’s gallery of outdoor sculptural art is soon to see a swap. And, according to Nelson’s cultural development officer Joy Barrett, if you fell in love with one of the existing sculptures, this is your chance to own or lease it, and extend your enjoyment.
“We have had a very positive response to the public art downtown,” says Barrett. “Now it’s time to bring in new ones, but if residents or businesses want to keep one of these unique pieces of art in the city, please contact me right away.”
Five sculptures currently grace the downtown — Venus de Cello by Peter Vogelaar, Seated Couple by Rick Haugen, Man in Motion by Denis Kleine, Man Waiting by Sergio Raffo, and Dancing Myself by Rabi’a. All will come down in the first week of April, to be replaced by five new works of art that will beautify the downtown for another year.
The downtown sculpture program, a partnership between the City of Nelson and Castlegar Sculpturewalk, has proven to be a cost-effective way to increase public art in the community. The initiative stemmed from the input of Nelson citizens during open house sessions prior to the creation of the City’s Sustainable Waterfront and Downtown Master Plan.
“Our streets are now reflecting what we already know — that Nelson is a creative and artistic community - and we are proud to showcase the impressive talent of the artists in our area,” Barrett says.
This initiative has been championed by the City of Nelson’s cultural development committee, which is dedicated to the development, promotion and enhancement of Nelson’s art and culture sector.
Barrett can be reached at cultural@nelson.ca.