"THE ART PROJECT," Oct. 14 - Nov. 26, 2006, Touchstones Nelson: Museum of Art and History, Nelson

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"Kootenay Slugfest"

Randy Morse, "Kootenay Slugfest," acrylic and pen on hardboard, 48" x 36".

THE ART PROJECT

Touchstones Nelson: Museum of Art and History, Nelson

Oct. 14 - Nov. 26, 2006

By Anne DeGrace

The call for submissions for The Ark Project — the inaugural exhibition of Touchstones Nelson: Museum of Art and History — invited artists to create new work on the conceptual theme of the ark as “a vessel designed to preserve community essence and diversity.”  The result is a multi-artist, multi-media juried exhibition showcasing the work of artists in the Nelson region. Included are Randy Morse’s cheeky takes on politics and activism, painter Nichola Shilleto’s juxtapositions of endangered species with forest resource management maps, and Brent Bukowski’s pie chart interpretations of regional statistics using found metal and glass; a continuation of his series currently touring eastern Canada. Touchstones Nelson: Museum of Art and History is Nelson’s first Category A gallery. The1500-square-foot space meets the professional standards for security and environmental controls needed to attract national touring exhibitions. A second gallery  offers an additional 500 square feet of exhibition space. Until now, local artists have had to look further afield for exhibition space of this size and standard. The new gallery and museum share historical and contemporary sensibilities in Nelson’s former city hall, a castle-like structure built in 1902.