The Saint John waterfront is going to be buzzing with activity over the next six weeks as eight artists work to shape pieces of stone into pieces of art as part of the third Sculpture Saint John event, which kicked off today.
The eight artists were chosen out of 150 applicants from 47 different countries and those chosen are from all over the world — including France, the USA, Italy, Greece and Canada.
Here they are! Our 8 Artists! pic.twitter.com/2cqhqgYLYY
— Sculpture Saint John (@sculpturesj) August 4, 2016
Executive director Diana Alexander says they are the largest sculpture symposium in North America and says this is a real opportunity for the artists to experience Canada.
“Some of these people have never been to Canada before, and there are very few international sculpture symposiums,” says Alexander. “There’s none active across Canada right now we’re the only one other than Sculpture Nova Scotia is just beginning and they’ll have another one in 2017.”
Sculpture Saint John is one of the few Sculpture Symposiums done in North America! We are so proud to be here! #sculpturesj #nbproud
— Sculpture Saint John (@sculpturesj) August 4, 2016
Alexander says over 30,000 people attend the event over the course of the six weeks and they get visitors from all over the world. She’s encouraging everyone to come down and see the stones as they are right now.
“You’ll be amazed at what these are going to become. And how the process of creating public art and how— it’s inspiring.”
The eight artists taking part are all matched with community partners from this province and this year the symposium is expanding its reach from Fredericton to Riverview.
This is Jim Boyd’s 3rd @sculpturesj. His sculpture will go along Harbour Passage — ‘it will be very interactive’ pic.twitter.com/5KMbGBISoN
— Laura Lyall (@LauraLyall) August 4, 2016
For more information on Sculpture Saint John and the 2016 artists check out their website: sculpturesaintjohn.com
