Owen Sound Art Banner Committee representative Ted Renner is joined by Owen Sound Mayor Ruth Lovell Stanners to unveil the first Owen Sound Art Banner.

The first banner off the press was unveiled on Owen Sound’s west harbour today.  The image will be accompanied by 39 others to create an exciting exhibit of local/regional artists from across Grey and Bruce regions.

The official project launch will take place at the Owen Sound Farmers Market building on August 30, 2009, with the banners installed on the harbour front shortly thereafter.   The committee hopes to expand the project to include 60 banners in and around Downtown Owen Sound in 2010.

Read more about the project in the official Owen Sound Art Banner Committee Press Release, below.

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Media Release: August 11, 2009 (Owen Sound Art Banner Committee)

40 Regional Artists’ Work Chosen for Dynamic Public Art Project in Owen Sound!

From every corner of Grey and Bruce County, artists working in nearly all fine art media submitted a total of 156 images of their finest and freshest creations for consideration for forthcoming art banners. The top 40 were chosen for this exciting new harbour-side street art project, which will debut at a special public celebration in Owen Sound on August 30th.

“The artist’s world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep.” Paul Strand

(Owen Sound, ON) On August 30, 2009 from 1-3 pm, the exciting new cross-regional creative banner art project will launch officially at a debut celebration brunch at the Owen Sound Farmer’s Market. The market will come alive with local colour as the 40 featured art banners, representing the dynamic work of 40 regional artists, will be debuted prior to their installation at the Owen Sound Harbour. All 40 banners will have their first public viewing, providing an opportunity for the community, the donors and the artists to meet and mingle at this unique venue.

The art banners will feature images of breathtaking local artworks, representing paintings, sculpture, photography, pottery, blown glass, drawings and more. Some of Grey-Bruce’s finest artists will be vividly represented throughout the 40 banners which will grace the Owen Sound Harbour by early September. After the initial year of exposure at the harbour, the generous sponsors will receive their individual sponsored banner(s) to keep permanently for their home or business.

Be the first to see Owen Sound’s exciting new public art project! Take this opportunity to congratulate these fine regional artists and the generous banner sponsors in person. Admission is free and open to the public, and refreshments will be served. A list of the artworks selected for the banner art project will be available for the public. A website highlighting the chosen artists, artworks and generous community sponsors will also be available on a forthcoming Owen Sound Banner Art Committee website. The committee also looks forward to expanding this creative art venture to welcome an additional 60 new artworks in 2010.

The Owen Sound Banner Art Committee consisting of Ted Renner; Kate McLaren (Mudtown Pottery); Eleanor Pauling (Bridges Art Gallery); Michelle Le Chien (Tom Thomson Art Gallery); Irwin Seidman (Owen Sound Downtown Improvement Area); Aly Boltman (Southampton Art Gallery & Shop/Authantique) and Ron DeBoer (Gallery DeBoer) thank all artists who contributed artwork for this exciting project, and all sponsors who have supported the production of each individual banner. More sponsorships are still available for this forthcoming project. Sponsorships are $100 and all costs go directly towards banner production. Help celebrate Grey-Bruce artists while beautifying the Owen Sound Harbour by becoming a sponsor now. Over half of the available sponsorships are already reserved! Mail your cheque to the Owen Sound Banner Committee at the address below.

Media Contact: Ted Renner 1069 4th Ave W. Owen Sound, ON N4K 4W1 (519) 372-9396 – info@artbanner.ca