Squamish is about to be hit with colour.
The District of Squamish and the Squamish Arts Council (SAC) have partnered up to create public art murals. Municipal officials identified six locations around Squamish that could do with a fresh coat of paint - the Centennial Way and Highway 99 and Mamquam Blind Channel underpasses, the retaining wall adjacent to the Corridor Trail that runs beside Highway 99 and the one on Highlands Way, the Alice Lake water tank and the chlorination building off of the Mamquam Forest Service Road.
SAC will start the initiative at the end of the month, once the new board meets, SAC president Doug Hackett said at the arts council's annual general meeting. The first project selected will be highly visible, he said, adding the board will put out a request for artists' proposals.
"We are happy with whatever artists come forward," he said, noting there's no theme.
Last September, Hackett and Squamish artist Chili Thom lobbied district officials to appoint a single contact person as a conduit for dialogue between SAC and the municipality. They also requested the district implement a public arts policy.
"I am happy to report that both of these requests are moving forward," Hackett said.
District planner Sabina Foofat is stepping in as the council-appointed municipal representative. District staff have also gathered input for a draft arts policy, which Hackett said should be before council within the next two months.
This is a big step for the community, Hackett told The Chief. Residents will know how to apply for public arts projects and what's expected of them, he said. It will also allow the community to update existing art, Hackett said.
As well as building relationships within the community, SAC has extended its reach outside of Squamish. Thom is representing the council on a new collaborative Sea to Sky Corridor arts councils' group.
"They are working on building a searchable interactive website portal that will broaden the visibility of all our members," Hackett said.
