Parry Sound District Business Association is looking for artists who can donate their time for the improvement of the downtown community.
The DBA is holding a campaign involving local painters and artists to create an image on a live-edge wooden plaque to be donated to local businesses.
“We do this every year, we started off with chairs and then we moved to paddles. We put out a call to artists to paint this for us and then we put it out for a silent auction. I already have the plaques and I’m looking for people to paint them for us, ” said Susan Hrycnya, Executive Administrator of the Parry Sound DBA.
According to Hrycyna, the plaques are approximately 11 by 16 inches and artists can paint a variety of images from animals, to scenery or abstract work. The plaques are placed in downtown businesses where the public can bid on the pieces for nearly six weeks. During the DBA craft fair, plaques are then placed in the street for people to bid and that’s when the silent auction ends.
The DBA will create a trail map where the public can view each plaque that is donated. Hrycyna said that last year’s paddle campaign saw 33 paddles created by local artists where the silent auction typically brings in about $3,000 which goes to the beautification of the downtown area.
Hyrcyna noted that anyone can make a plaque, you don’t necessarily have to be an “artist” per se.
The DBA craft fair will be held on July 20th, though the plaques should be completed and in local businesses by June 7th. For those interested in getting involved in this project, can visit the DBA website here.