[Side Arts Certified Sponsored Listing] The City of Penticton, British Columbia, announces a call for artists for their Public Sculpture Exhibition which opens May 2023. Created in 2016, Penticton’s Public Sculpture Exhibition (PPSE) is a year-long outdoor exhibit of original sculptures. Seven (7) sculptures will be located along the Okanagan Lake waterfront or downtown, and one (1) larger feature sculpture for the Front Street roundabout (intersections of Front Street, Marina Way, Ellis Street and Vancouver Avenue) in Penticton, BC.

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Enter by: 5 December 2022

The Pentiction Sculpture Walk Exhibition is committed to serving the public by providing access to various mediums of public sculpture. It is well noted that public art slows down the pedestrian traffic, providing a positive impact on the enjoyment and mood of the general public, influences how people see and connect within their communities, and provides an opportunity for dialogue between friends and strangers. Through an annual revolving collection of sculptures, the City of Pentiction hopes to provide a freshness to public art that engages, connects, and provides its community with a sense of image and identity, as well as including artists as contributors to this cultural fabric.

General Information

• PPSE is open to professional sculptors of all backgrounds.
• Previously completed sculpture photos, or proposed designs can be submitted. For proposed designs, detailed drawings of the proposed sculpture must be included, as well as photo examples of previous work.
• Lakefront/downtown sculptures are required to remain on site for the duration of one year (May 2023 – April 2024). The roundabout sculpture may be negotiated into a two-year term (May 2023-April 2025).
• Artists will be responsible for transportation of their sculpture to and from site. Pedestals / pads will be provided by the PPSE.
• Artists will retain the ownership of their sculpture and will be responsible for carrying comprehensive insurance to cover it in the event of theft or vandalism and public liability, or will sign an indemnification in favour of the City of Penticton for any liability claims against the City as a result of the existence or location of the sculpture within the City during the exhibition. The risk of loss or damage to the sculpture will always be borne by the artist, and the artist will be responsible to repair and or replace all or part of the sculpture in the event of loss or damage thereto during the exhibition.
• The City will enter into a lease agreement with the Artist for the duration of the exhibition and the Artist is responsible to uphold all terms and conditions of the agreement as set out by the City.
• City staff will perform the installation to ensure that the work is done in accordance with City standards, and to optimize the viewing of the sculpture.
• Sculptures will be placed in predetermined locations at the discretion of the PPSE committee and City.
• Artists are encouraged to be present for the installation of their sculpture(s) in May, 2023, and removal in April, 2024. In the event the artist cannot be present, they are required to provide, in writing, a representative to be present on their behalf.
• At the end of the lease any sales/leases of sculptures will be conducted solely by the artist or their agent and will not involve the City.
• The City will be responsible for media relations and publicity for the sculpture exhibition.
• The artist will retain copyright for their sculpture and grant the City a license to take and distribute images of the sculptures. Any other likeness or models of the sculpture will not be created without the explicit permission of the artist.

Public Sculpture Exhibition Artist Benefits

Artists will be paid a set lease price of $2,000 for the waterfront/downtown sculptures and $3,000 for the roundabout sculpture. In addition to the lease amounts, prizes for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place ($500, $300, and $200 respectively) will be awarded. The sculptures are owned by the artists and leased by the City of Penticton.

With Pentiction being a year-round tourist destination in British Columbia’s heart of the Okanagan, chosen artists will benefit by receiving access to the general public for a period of one full year, for the waterfront or downtown sites, and a possible two-year period for the Front Street roundabout site. Throughout the lease period, artists gain access to further leasing or sales opportunities that may conclude at the end of the lease period. These further opportunities will be conducted solely by the artist and outside of the involvement of the City.

About the City of Penticton

Nestled between two lakes, Penticton enjoys long, hot summers, dry winters and more than 2,000 hours of sunshine each year. The city is located in the southern Okanagan Valley of British Columbia, which is easily accessed by major highways and airports. Known for beaches, wine, and orchards, not to mention a wide range of outdoor recreational activities. Hop on your bike to discover award-winning wineries and trails with stellar views. Shop at the bustling outdoor market, peruse art galleries or go skating at the modern Community Centre. Ski champagne powder slopes or take in a hockey game or concert at the South Okanagan Events Centre. Penticton is located on the ancestral and unceded territory of the Syilx/Okanagan people. Its name, from the Interior Salish word snpintktn, is commonly translated as “a place to stay forever,” or more accurately, “a place where people live year-round.” It’s the kind of place where people come to visit for the holidays – and never want to leave.

For more information, contact info@proficientartstallations.ca.