The renovated rock will be unveiled as part of 2020 Culture Days in Prince Albert. (Alison Sandstrom/paNOW Staff)

By Alison Sandstrom

Art in unexpected places

City searches for artist to makeover downtown rock

Jul 20, 2020 | 5:00 PM

The City of Prince of Prince Albert is looking to hire an artist for an unusual project – a chance to paint the large rock at the downtown bus transfer station

Transportation and transit manager, Keri Sapsford, told paNOW she’s been hoping the city would invest in a makeover for the boulder ever since the rock was pulled from the earth during underground construction on 14^th Street East around five years ago.

“They were going to remove it, but I selfishly wanted to have it there,” she explained. “It was an interesting looking thing. It kind of brought interest to the transfer station.”

Sapsford initially thought to put a plaque on it or paint it. She pitched the idea to arts and culture department staff and is pleased a few years later they’ve found an opportunity to pursue it.

“The transfer station is a place where a lot of people gather,” Sapsford said. “And to bring some artwork and vibrancy to that area, I think is a great thing.”

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For her part, arts and culture coordinator, Judy Macleod Campbell, said renovating the rock fits perfectly with this year’s national Culture Days theme: “unexpected intersections.”

“What they’re hoping with that theme is that art and culture opportunities happen in less expected places,” she explained.

Artists are invited to submit their applications to paint the craggy canvas up until July 30. The artist chosen will be expected to come up with two potential designs, of which the favourite will be chosen by a public vote.

The plan is to have the new public art piece unveiled on Friday September 25 to kick off Culture Days celebrations in Prince Albert.

Macleod Campbell said the department deliberately left the criteria to paint the rock wide-open to encourage as many people as possible to apply. They’re especially interested in contracting a local artist.

When complete, the renovated rock will join several other public art pieces in Prince Albert’s downtown. A full list and a self-guided walking tour can be downloaded from the City of P.A.’s website.

The City of P.A. recently released a self-guided public art tour. (Website/City of P.A.)

Interested artists can visit sasktenders.ca to submit their expression of interest to be considered for the project.

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alison.sandstrom@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @alisandstrom