The City of Richmond issued the following statement:
Richmond, BC – A colourful display of new street banners were unveiled at the City of Richmond’s Council meeting on Monday, March 23. Every year, the City hosts a street banner contest that encourages community members to submit creative and visually appealing designs taken from around Richmond. This year, just under 400 images were entered into the contest and 11 winning banners were selected.
“Our street banner program has been very popular with Richmond residents for years,” said Mayor Malcolm Brodie. “It falls under the City’s Partners for Beautification initiative and encourages people to become actively involved in public art in their community. These banners show Richmond’s uniqueness and diversity.”
Contest participants submitted designs using a range of visual art forms such as photography, digital art, painting, collage, illustration and printmaking. The submissions were all original images reflecting one or more of the following themes: active living, arts, culture and heritage, city centre, parks and nature, and transportation.
One of the winning designs unveiled on Monday evening shows a strand of braided garlic from Terra Nova Rural Park. “I thought this photo helps pay tribute to those who volunteer their time and talents in running the Sharing Farm,” said Ellane Reyes. “The braided garlic with flowers can symbolize the hearts and hands of those who labour to make our community a beautiful place.”
Another winning design, titled The Belties, was taken from the West Dyke by Sam Chua. He managed to capture the image of the Belted Galloway, an uncommon breed of cattle often found grazing by Steveston. “I wanted to highlight Richmond’s agriculture and the Belties are a good looking and unusual breed,” said Chua.
Unlike most other cities that commission professional artists, Richmond’s street banner program is unique. Winning designs were selected through both an online community voting campaign and a panel of volunteer jurors.
A set of new street banners are currently on display at Richmond City Hall. During the month of April, numerous banners will be installed on select street lighting fixtures in the City Centre area, as well as gateway roadways into the city. The banners will decorate the streets until March 2016.
To view the winning designs and for more information on the street banner program, please visit www.richmond.ca/banners.
Last year’s banners will be available for sale in their original banner form and also as a recycled banner bag beginning May 1. They can be purchased from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday at the Parks Department reception located at the City of Richmond’s Works Yard, 5599 Lynas Lane.
For more information, please email [email protected].
About Richmond’s Partners for Beautification program
The Partners for Beautification program is dedicated to the continued beautification of the City of Richmond. Residents of all ages, community groups, service clubs and businesses who call Richmond home can make a difference in a park, trail or streetscape, and create a legacy for the city. Activities include the annual street banner contest, Earth Day activities and celebrations, park stewardship opportunities and the Great Canadian Shore Line Clean Up.
