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Mural Project auction culminates with Cannery Brewing live event this Wednesday

Way back in January, Cannery Brewing and the Penticton Art Gallery got together for a concept that, temporarily at least, brought back memories of life before COVID.

<who>Photo Credit: NowMedia</who>

It was called the SQUARE Mural Project, and it would see artists pitch proposals for the chance to create one of eight 4-foot by 4-foot mini murals. When complete, all eight murals would be displayed at the Cannery throughout the spring and summer.

Then in the fall, they'd be auctioned off to the highest bidders. And the proceeds would be split evenly between the artists and the Gallery.

<who>Photo Credit: NowMedia</who>

It was clearly an awesome deal for the eight winners, each of whom were paid $500 in advance to purchase paint and gear and anything else they wanted, and then would eventually watch the bids roll in. But it was heartening for everyone else too.

Announced in the bleakest month of the year during one of the bleakest periods in modern history as an initiative that basically didn't give a fig about COVID, the SQUARE Mural Project was a proverbial breath of fresh air.

And now, fall is here and so is that auction.

<who>Photo Credit: NowMedia</who>

It's happening online right now, and it concludes in-person this Wednesday night at the Cannery when Gallery curator Paul Crawford plays the role of auctioneer and then announces the new owners.

"It all started in this space we're in now," said Cannery co-owner Pat Dyck last week, standing in the Cannery's new warehouse-taproom called Ale-catraz. "Ian (son and co-owner Ian Dyck) got hold of Paul Crawford at the Penticton Art Gallery and said maybe there are some local artists who have stuff that should go up on this wall.

<who>Photo Credit: NowMedia</who> Cannery Brewing's Max Rutherford at the outset of the SQUARE Mural Project

"And Paul loved the idea. He said he did a program just like it while he was in Wells (BC)."

According to Dyck, who seems enamored with her brewery's mural-centric summer, the folks behind the initiative figured they'd see "12 to 15" proposals in all. Turns out they vastly underestimated the interest.

"We got 79," she said with a smile. "It was astounding. The board had a very difficult time narrowing it down to eight."

"But it's been so much fun to do. It's been really exciting. We had so much interest in the paintings from people who were here over the summer. I had people say, 'I'll give you $1,000 for that right now,' and I'd have to say it's not mine to sell.

<who>Photo Credit: NowMedia</who>

Indeed, the Cannery crowd was so psyched about their experience that they wanted to do it again.

And so they will.

Starting sometime in the next month, Season Two of the SQUARE Mural Project will kick off when Crawford and company issue a call for artists. Only this time, there'll be even more murals.

"Yep, we're doing it again, but we're going to expand it to ten murals this time," confirmed Crawford Sunday afternoon as he made his way home, once more, from the art hotspot of Wells, BC.

"The call for artists will go out almost immediately -- within the next month. The selection process will happen mid-January and the artists will be informed by the end of January. And the Cannery will once again be our only sponsor."

<who>Photo Credit: NowMedia</who>

But Crawford had even more news, not just about murals, but about a new multi-day art event debuting next spring.

"The unveiling of the murals will be on March 25th, which is a Friday night," he said, "and that will also be the kick-off to a new arts festival we're running called 'Ignite the Arts.'

"It's a nine-day festival. The Penticton Art Gallery is taking the lead, but we're going to be involving a variety of community partners."

We'll have more news on the new Ignite the Arts festival, and on the second go-'round for SQUARE Mural Project, here at PentictonNow in the next week. But in the meantime, there are just three days left to bid on the current batch of Cannery Brewing murals.

<who>Photo Credit: NowMedia</who>

Tickets to Wednesday evening's auction are available in person at the brewery at 198 Ellis St. Doors open at 6 pm, bidding begins at 7, and your admission gets you a freebie beverage.

Alternately, you can bid online here. You can do so right now, as many have already done, or you can wait 'til the night of the live event. More details at the auction site.



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