Sun Peaks Mountain Resort Municipality (SPMRM) and ArtZone Sun Peaks are teaming up to decorate Sun Peaks Centre (SPC). From now until Feb. 16, ArtZone is accepting submissions for art in two conference rooms at SPC, curating pieces and submitting a package for the municipality to consider. SPMRM will purchase the art for permanent display and decide which art pieces will shine in the centre come spring.
Deanna Campbell, SPMRM chief administrative officer, told SPIN since the municipality took over operations of the SPC from Tourism Sun Peaks late last year, they wanted to have community artists featured within what is an essential community space.
“We really want it to be utilized by the community, and we want the space to reflect that,” Campbell explained.
Submissions must represent the area, whether Sun Peaks, Heffley or McGillvray Lake, reflecting the local mountain culture. SPMRM noted the preference is for photographs, but council is open to all mediums of artistic expression.
The art should also help liven up the walls of two rooms in the centre, which currently feature stretches of bare off-white paint.
Meeting Room C, where council is held, and Meeting Room A/B, are both waiting for artistic expression.
The Great Hall is not part of the submission. The Great Hall features Indigenous art installations by the Little Shuswap Lake Band, which reflect the Secwépemc culture that predates Sun Peaks.
Discussions between council and staff about the need for art progressed into tapping Artzone formally for the project, Campbell explained.
ArtZone is the sole dedicated group in Sun Peaks which advocates for arts and culture in the village.
Marj Knive is Artzone’s president, and she said the bar for consideration is high, with committee members experienced in fine art production.
“It’s going to be about quality and what all fits together so…it looks like a very cohesive and classy exhibition of beautiful local art. It’s gonna be tough,” Knive said.
For photographic submissions, artists must submit the image by Feb. 16. Other forms of art, like murals, aren’t required to be completed by the deadline. A concept drawing or a description of the work will suffice because these take longer to develop.
She also urged artists to read the submission criteria closely, as forms that aren’t filled out properly won’t be considered.
The number of pieces displayed depends on which submission ArtZone chooses, with options for large murals, tri-pictures and any other creative concepts locals dream up.
Council hasn’t designated a budget for the art, and Knive said ArtZone will choose pieces on quality, not cost. The final decision on art lies with SPMRM.
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