Shoppers pause to inspect a colourful lamp post cozy during Culture Days in Sept. 2012.

Image Credit: SOURCE/ VPAG

In celebration of B.C. Arts and Culture Week, the Vernon Public Art Gallery, Gallery Vertigo Knitting Circle, and members of the public will install yarn bombs in Vernon’s downtown core.

This isn’t the first time Vernon has been veiled in yarn. VPAG organized an event last fall during a Culture Days event, and 30 Ave. was adorned with tree sweaters, pom-poms, and three dimensional creatures.

“We had dozens of artworks hung on lamp posts, benches and garbage cans, all along 30 Ave. ," Kelly MacIntosh, marketing and programing director, said. "Participants had a great time installing the works and passersby stopped and smiled and asked lots of questions about the project. We wanted to build on the success from our first attempt and also help to encourage pedestrian traffic along 30 Ave. that is now under construction.”

A portion of 30 Ave. sectioned off during construction as part of “Diggin’ it Downtown” roadway upgrades will be transformed into public art with soft, bright and inspiring knitting projects. Participants are invited to use the Modu-Loc fencing for a site-specific installation, under the theme of springtime; growing and blooming trees, flowers, and vines. The Downtown Vernon Association invites artists to participate as part of an initiative to continue to bring people and business to the area.

“Yarn bombing not only changes the appearance of a location visually, but it also helps create awareness about the impact of public art in a community,"  Dauna Kennedy Grant, VPAG executive director said. "Vernon is a vibrant arts community and this is just one small aspect of how we can stand out as a unique place.”

"We hope this is one more reason to continue to shop local and walk to local merchants affected by the construction,”  MacIntosh said.

Participants are asked to meet at the Gallery at 1 p.m. April 26  in preparation for installation, and to bring their knitted or crocheted creations, extra yarn, scissors and a yarn hook.

If knitters are unable to attend on Friday, April 26,  but wish to contribute artwork, artists are welcome to drop-off their work at the Gallery ahead of time. Everyone is invited to participate and celebrate arts and culture.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infotelnews.ca or call (250)309-5230.

Trees, construction fencing, and all manner of other downtown structures will be adorned with yarn April 26 as part of Arts and Culture week.

Image Credit: SOURCE/ VPAG

News from © iNFOnews, 2013