For the past eight years, local artists have added their own flair to Fernie’s streets, offering works of art for the banners that line Highway 3 and downtown. Now, in its ninth year, we are calling out to the talented artists of Fernie one more time to contribute for the annual Banner Project.

In total, the Banner Project Committee is looking for 36 works of art to showcase on the 2012 City of Fernie Banners and, just as last year, lampposts along Victoria Avenue will don the various works of art which will reflect the diverse artistic community that is Fernie. All selected art will be showcased on high-quality outdoor banners and will continue to bring interest to our streets and gives more profile to the great artistic talent we have in this community.

What are the adjudicators looking for? “Bold colours, striking imagery that stands out from a distance, variation in themes and artistic disciplines,” says Project Coordinator, Donna Miller and “It has to be eye-catching to the street-level observer.” Though Donna will not be an adjudicator, she will be setting up this anonymous committee. Having been an adjudicator for many years, she knows the important aspects of the process.

What kind of mediums will be accepted?  Submissions of paintings, quilts, stained glass, sculpture, pottery and photography are welcome. Artists are asked to submit up to two images maximum and the work must be submitted as a jpeg file on a compact disc. Also, please consider carefully the dimensions of the photographed works as the artwork will need to be cropped to a one wide by two high ratio. Images that do not fit this ratio may have to be adjusted.  Please supply a 70 word bio/description – including your name – as a file on the CD.

If an artist needs assistance with creating the digital photograph of their work, they can contact Courtney Baker with The Arts Station at 423-4842 or Donna Miller, Project Coordinator at [email protected] and they can put you in touch with a local photographer who is available to help.

Submissions deadline is no later than 3 p.m. on Friday, February 17. Please drop off a jpeg file and bio/description on CD, with your name written on the disc to the Arts Station before the deadline.  Sorry, but absolutely no submissions after this date will be accepted. Further submission information and guidelines are available on The Arts Station website at www.theartsstation.com under ‘Get Involved.’

The City of Fernie and District Arts Council provides services to help this project but it is the sponsorship of the individual banners that make it sustainable. Each banner is available for sponsorship at the cost of $100. The banners are hung along Victoria Ave and 4th St. for one year, and then re-located to the highway. After two years on display the sponsor will receive the banner. If you are keen to become a sponsor of one of the banners, they will be presented at The Banner Project Launch being hosted at the Arts Station. This much anticipated annual event is scheduled to be held on Thursday, April 19th, 2011 at 7pm.  Stay tuned for more details on the launch!

Photos included are of last year’s banners.

Courtney Baker, Fernie and District Arts Council

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