N.S. to Feature New Art Works in Public Spaces

Contemporary art works from 48 Nova Scotia artists have been acquired to showcase in public spaces around the province as part of Nova Scotia's Art Bank program.

The program is administered by the Department of Tourism and Culture, which received applications for this year's competition from around the province. Purchases were made from the following artists:

• from Mahone Bay: Isabelle Arciero-Mahier; Rita Lamontagne- MacDonald; and Lynn Rotin.
• from Inverness: Tim Brennan and Laurie-Lynn Percy.
• from Brookside: John Calder.
• from Halifax: Gary Castle; Michelle Dear; David Diviney; Lorraine Field; Mark Grantham; Paul Hannon; Larissa Holman; Peter Kirby; John Macnab; Andrew McLaren; Margot Metcalfe; Luke Naylor; Laurie Omstead; Cynthia Phillips; Catherine Phoenix; Lynda Shalagan; Roxanne Smith; Karen Thiessen; and Goody-B Wiseman.
• from Baddeck: Deanie Cox and Catherine Moir.
• from Clementsport: Nina Cropas.
• from Portuguese Cove: Frances Dorsey and Elizabeth Lenco.
• from Centreville: Bob Hainstock.
• from LaHave: Svava Juliusson.
• from Wolfville: Judith Leidl.
• from Seaforth: Michael Lewis.
• from Bedford: Patricia Loucks.
• from Dartmouth: Barbara Lounder; Tony MacKinnon; Catherine MacLean; Irena Schon; Tamara Sharkey; and Robert Williams.
• from Sydney: Onni Nordman.
• from Windsor: Lara Martina.
• from Annapolis Royal: Christine Ross and Pat Sollows.
• from Hatchett Lake: Janet Shaw.
• from Truro: Alan Syliboy.
• from La Have: Jane Whitten.

In announcing the results of the competition, Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism and Culture, thanked the jury panel of artists who recommended the works.

"I am proud of the diversity of styles represented this year," he said. "Nova Scotia artists are producing world-class artistic works, which are increasingly recognized in the national and international art markets."

The Art Bank acquisitions for the year 2001 reflect the wide variety of visual art that is being produced in the province, including the Aboriginal and Acadian communities. The dynamic mix includes conventional media such as painting, sculpture, drawing, print-making, ceramics, textiles and photography as well as experimental modes of mixed media construction, computer- generated images, computer-assisted weaving and a neon-light sculpture.

The Art Bank program supports visual arts in the province by purchasing Nova Scotia contemporary art for display in public spaces. Featuring the works in public spaces helps to create awareness and to educate Nova Scotians about the visual arts. The program is also designed to assist in career development for artists and to help stimulate the marketplace for the sale of artwork.

The program has been in operation since 1975 and contains a significant collection of over 1,500 works of art by more than 400 artists.