Search for art continues

Summerside library still accepting all kinds of art to display on walls

The Inspire Learning Centre is looking to add some colour to their décor.

Until the March 31 deadline, any kind of art is being accepted to display on the centre’s walls.

Becka Viau, an artist and the owner of Becka Viau Inc., helped launch a program on March 15 to get Islander-created artwork displayed inside the centre.

So far there are almost 30 submissions, with each artist submitting a maximum of two works.

The program is community driven, and the goal is to populate the centre’s walls with art representing Summerside’s identity, Viau said.

“We want the walls to reflect the people who use the space.” The centre was designed to showcase artwork, with many areas having ceiling lamps

aimed toward the walls. While two-dimensional artwork like paintings, drawings and fabric art are easier to display, they are also open to three-dimensional works like

sculptures or metalwork, Viau said.

“From professional to amateur - everything in between. All mediums are welcome.”

There will be a selection process

to ensure the artwork is appropriate, and the provincial government will elect professional artwork that reflects Island culture.

But you don’t need to be a professional to submit artwork, Viau added.

“We are welcoming anyone to be involved.”

The displayed art will be available for purchase, with 100 per cent of the revenue going back to the artists, Viau said.

“If anyone’s interested, the artist’s contact will be on the information card (posted near the artwork).” Rebecca Boulter, literacy and public services librarian at the Summerside Rotary Library located inside the Inspire Learning Centre, thinks of the centre as the living room of Summerside. Artwork will have a positive impact in making the centre more like that, she said. “You need some artwork in your living room.”

The centre offers the community a space to gather and celebrate Island work, whether it is authors talking about their books or artists talking about their art, Boulter said.

“(It’s) to provide a space to learn and access culture.”

DANIEL BROWN/TC MEDIA Jennie Thompson, a library staff member, shows off one of the walls to be used for displaying artwork. There is currently no artwork hanging in the Inspire Learning Centre, but that will change soon.