Artists sought for Halifax Common community art project

Halifax will have three new community art projects displayed in the city's north end in the fall.

The artwork will be etched into the concrete of three newly cemented gateways or plazas that will be built at the northern entrances to the Halifax Common.

The municipality is looking for artists from the aboriginal, African Nova Scotian and LGBT communities who can contribute to the plazas.

During public engagement sessions earlier this year, north-end Halifax residents said they wanted to celebrate the diversity of their neighbourhoods. The city is now partnering with the Mi'kmaq Native Friendship Centre, the Youth Project and LaMeia Reddick of the Black Leaders and Learners Advocacy Collective.

Carolle Roberts, a Halifax landscape architect, has said the goal is to create a connection between the surrounding neighbourhoods.

Three artists one each from the aboriginal, African Nova Scotian and LGBT communities will be hired to create a piece of original artwork that best represents the voices of their communities. The artists will be expected to consult with members of their communities to decide what the artwork will be.

The artists will begin work in early July.

The finished artwork will be sandblasted into the concrete plazas in September. In addition to the artwork, each plaza will have a community notice board, planters and a sociable space.