New Art Piece For Downtown

Vernon will be getting a new public art piece as part of RespectFEST 2017 later this year.

The Downtown Vernon Association and City of Vernon have given local ceramic artist Gabrielle Strong the go ahead to create an art piece downtown.

Strong is a Métis woman and graduate of Emily Carr University of Art and Design. She has a studio at the Caetani Cultural Centre and was their first Ceramic Artist-In-Residence in 2015.

Her work will portray a winding mosaic river inlayed into the sidewalk, beginning and ending at storm-drains, symbolizing the cycle of flowing water

Thirty thousand dollars has been allotted for the project which will be unveiled during RespectFest September 18-24.

Funding comes from the DVA, the City of Vernon, and the Government of Canada as a legacy project of North Okanagan RespectFEST which commemorates the 150th Anniversary of Canada’s confederation.

“Vernon has given me so much since I’ve been here, and I am so honoured to be able to create this public art for the community and for RespectFEST,” says Strong. “My hope is that this artwork will inspire momentum in all of us to care more and join together to respect and protect our waterways, as our need for water is the common thread that connects us all, regardless of culture, race or background.”

Once completed, the art will become the property of the City of Vernon which will be responsible for maintenance.

Photo of Gabrielle Strong, courtesy of YouTube.