Designs by a pair of Surrey-based artists will be featured on street banners in the city’s six town centres next year.
Debbie Tuepah’s “Blackie Spit” and Kristina Geisbrecht’s “Greener” artwork form a “Visions of Surrey” theme for the project, approved by the city council on Monday (Dec. 17).
The annual Public Art Street Banner initiative sees the decoration of close to 100 street poles “near significant cultural destinations in Surrey,” in the town centres of Surrey City Centre, Guildford, Newton, Fleetwood, Cloverdale and Semiahmoo.
CLICK HERE to read the full report
The designs were reviewed by the city’s Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC).
“’Blackie Spit’ will be installed at regular locations in the south part of the City, while ‘Greener’ will be installed in locations in the north,” according to the report to council.
At Monday’s council meeting, Coun. Doug Elford commented on the banner designs.
“I know this recommendation came through, I imagine, the public art committee in the previous council,” he said. “I have to say I’m not particularly fond of the colour or the style, and I just wanted to voice my opinion on that.”
(Scroll down to see example of “Blackie Spit” design)
• RELATED STORY: ‘Good omens’ fly on Surrey streets with artist’s new banners, from May 2018.
As for project costs, Surrey’s Public Art Banner Program is funded by the Civic Street Banner Program, within the Community Enhancement budget, according to the report before council.
“The annual budget for the Civic Street Banner Program is $125,000,” the report notes. “This includes materials (design, printing, replacement) and labour (installation, removal, maintenance) and provides banners at 1,015 locations across the City. Types of banners include: Town Centre Identity Banners, Surrey Gateway Banners, Public Art Banners and Community Group Banners.
“Of these approximately 300 would feature the public art design.… The cost to implement this project will be approximately $2,500 for each artist, for a total of $5,000. Subject to Council approval of the recommendations of this report, the artists will proceed to complete the process to finalize the digital file of their design as needed for fabrication of the pointed tip and rectangle banner forms, in January 2019.”
Images of previous artist-designed street banners are posted to the city’s website, surrey.ca.
with a file from Amy Reid
• RELATED STORY: Surrey’s latest street banners feature ‘Canada, Our Home’ theme, from March 2017.
tom.zillich@surreynowleader.com
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