The Nanaimo Harbourfront Library is turning to local artists to help with some interior decorating.
Artist from the Nanaimo area have until Jan. 31 to submit work to be considered for the library’s Art in the Creativity Commons program for 2022. The work will be on display for between three to six months on the library’s second floor.
Right now there is space for five works of art to be hanged, but that could change based on demand.
“Depending on the interest, we’re hoping to expand our wall space and also to expand the number of artists showing at a time as a result,” said librarian Dalia Levy, who is in charge of the program.
The Creativity Commons is a place where people can book time to use software and hardware to pursue their creative projects and Levy said having art on the walls contributes to that atmosphere.
“It really provides a cultural connection to the library from a local lens and it also encourages creativity,” she said.
The first artist of the year has already been selected. From now until the end of March, Trudy Broadley is displaying work inspired by Paleolithic cave paintings found in the Lascaux caves in southwest France. At four-feet-by-four-feet they are Broadley’s largest paintings, but the ones in the caves are even bigger.
“It’s nice to see textbooks and it’s great to see it online, but seeing it in that format and that large is kind of neat,” she said.
This is Broadley’s first time showing the work and she said “it’s nice that they’re getting some fresh air.”
“It was a fun thing to do and it’s something I wanted to do for a long time and I’m glad it’s done…” she said. “When I see them hanging it’s going to be nice to see because they haven’t left the studio and it’ll be nice just to see them out and somewhere else where people will ask questions.”
Broadley said she hopes the work prompts people to learn more about cave paintings, perhaps by reading about them in library books.
The library providing a space for local artists to show their work is a “fabulous idea,” Broadley said.
“I think it’s really wonderful that they’re doing that,” she said. “It’s a great community thing and art’s for everybody.”
To receive an application, e-mail the Creativity Commons at cc@virl.bc.ca.
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