Seven-year old Annabella Booher is the runner-up of the Downtown Oshawa BIA Pole Wrap competition.
In July, the Downtown Oshawa BIA opened a competition for local artists to submit a design to be showcased on pole wraps that will be installed throughout the downtown.
Annabella is 7 years old who she loves reading about dragons and playing Dungeons and Dragons with her parents. Her concept statement reads, “I want the Canadian maple leaf to be seen over a field of colourful tulips”. This is her first submission for a public artwork competition and the vision was executed by her mother Dorothy.
Annabella will receive $50 as an award.
The overall winner of the pole wrap competition is Chad Tyson. His concept represents the different aspects of downtown, from shopping & services, food, events, and education that are related to the new downtown colours. Chad wanted to ‘use the BIA colours and words that express what the downtown is all about’.
Winner Donates Prize Money
Winner Chad will receive the $600 award, but has generously donated this award to Annabella to congratulate her
on submitting her artwork for the first time publicly and to encourage her to continue getting involved in the arts.
“These pole wraps bring a new and exciting look to urban streetscapes. We’re thrilled to be a part of this addition to Downtown Oshawa,” said Colleen Browne, Street Graffiti Solutions Partner.
Durham College contributed significant funds to this beautification project. This project was also supported by Oshawa power who donated the poles.
“After months of planning and community consultation with businesses in areas requesting a beautification fix for drab-looking street poles, it is so exciting to see the implementation and installation of these pole wraps into downtown,” said Amanda MacDonald, Executive Director, Downtown Oshawa BIA.
Banner Public Art Competition
Entry is still open to the Downtown Oshawa BIA Banner Public Art Project, which is looking to beautify the
downtown landscape through a banner initiative to fill the streets with artwork.
Emerging Durham College Student Graphic Designers and Artists can submit proposals for Downtown Oshawa
BIA Fall/Winter and/or Holiday Banners.
The BIA will be responsible for printing the digitally submitted artwork onto banners and installation.
“The Downtown, Durham College banner competition is an exciting opportunity for our students to have their art displayed prominently throughout the downtown core, while at the same time contribute to the beautification of our downtown. Public art is important to the social fabric of our community and society, as it engages citizens in conversation and can make public spaces more approachable. We are very pleased to be a contributor to this exciting public art project,” said Don Lovisa, President, Durham College.
The deadline for submission is October 31st, 2019 at 4:30pm (EST), with a $500 award to the winning bid.
Submissions can be sent to amanda@downtownoshawa.ca or in person/by mail at the Oshawa Downtown BIA at 21 Simcoe Street S. Oshawa, ON, L1H 4G1.