The map was a joint effort by the two artists, and the project was the first time they had collaborated on an artistic piece.

The cultural-type businesses grew from 58 in 2000 to 174 this year, according to data from the city’s economic development office. Within this sector, the bulk of the growth was among both recreation groups and independent artists.

The administrative and support services sector has the next significant growth rate at 47%, followed by the construction sector at 37%.

With such a large increase in cultural businesses, Nanaimo will attract more entrepreneurs who want to relocate to cities with a high standard of living, according to experts, who have been promoting the city abroad for years.

“You’re not just creative in one area,” Bob Rennie said.

From his desk in the Wing Sang building on Pender, Rennie turned and looked towards the small window that opened into the studio where Texas artist Richard Jackson, stood on a raised platform lost in the creative process.  Rennie got up and went to the window.

The tall, slender Jackson worked beyond the wall and Rennie, a trim, young-looking 53 year old, observed his process with obvious pride and a look of delight that bordered on joyous.  The city’s most successful condo marketer peered down into the gorgeous gallery/studio that he had chosen to pour his wealth into. It was a controversial choice that emerged inevitably it would seem as a result of Rennie’s resources, his collection and his sense that Vancouver Art Gallery was failing to challenge the city either intellectually and artistically.  Perhaps, he thought, he could make a better gallery that would showcase the kinds of artists VAG seemed too staid  to include.

The work by Capilano University fine arts student Emily Zimmerman is being readied for its official unveiling on Wednesday, Aug. 11 at 10:30 a.m.

Located on the back laneway side of the building on the southeast corner of Willingdon Avenue and Hastings Street, the work depicts a biplane-flying dog chasing a flock of squawking Canada geese.

“I wanted something that would attract children as well as adults, and that just looks really happy and sort of cheers up the neighbourhood,” said Zimmerman, 21.

The flying canine depicted is actually a rendition of her boyfriend’s dog, included as a joke to him, she said with a laugh.

The hotels have also booked local blues acts to play in their entertainment venues during Burnaby Blues Week leading up to the festival, which is on Saturday, Aug. 14.

The new Delta Burnaby Hotel has turned over 20 comped room nights for the festival to the City of Burnaby, according to Matthew Ballesty, the executive general manager of the Grand Villa Casino.

The casino includes the Delta Burnaby Hotel, and the Scala Lounge and Ebo Restaurant, where British Columbian blues musicians will play in advance of the festival.

“We’re trying our best to be as involved as possible,” Ballesty said.

It will be erected as part of the Downtown Business Association’s (PDBA) public art program.

Council approved the location and committed $15,000 for the installation of the metal sculpture.

That was always the PDBA’s preferred location, where they hope it will provide the most visual impact and hopefully help draw more people into the downtown core.

This funky oasis reads artsy as well as Birkenstock Nation-y, with its squeaky wooden floors and comfy mismatched furniture. Did it lose its way en route to Main Street or Commercial Drive, maybe?

Proprietor Steve Merkley says being out of place is precisely the point, just like when he ran a yoga studio in the same neighbourhood. He and partner Paige Farachi planned it that way.

“We had a vision for this,” he says. “This” is a tapas and wine bar, plus an atelier-like space where non-artists can listen to music and paint with materials provided, or sign up for a painting class, or ask the artist-in-residence for painting tips.

“In a way, we’re all artists and love to create. Community and building relationships is a big focus for us,” Merkley says.

The event was designed to introduce both artists and businesses in New Westminster to each other. The objective of the arts council is to have these businesses think of local artists and their work when decorating their lobbies and office environments. The invitation-only event was a part of the arts council’s fundraising Arts Rental & Purchasing Program.

In just two hours, one painting by Angie Au Hemphill was sold and numerous others where tagged with a red dot indicating they had been rented. In addition, the arts council attracted several new Corporate members.

Under current bylaws, buskers have to stop playing at 10 p.m. PT, and they can’t use equipment to amplify their sound.

Charles Gauthier, executive director of the association, says street performers made the downtown a vibrant scene during the Olympics, and that should be encouraged.

“I think it’s about embracing arts and culture,” he said. “It’s what makes urban environments exciting.” Gauthier is lobbying City Hall for changes to the bylaws.

While Thirsk is familiar with festival poster designs since the first Pacific Rim Whale Festival ones were designed by her, this is her first magazine cover.

“That was a stoke and a half,” she said. “But exposure is always the name of the game.

B.C. Wine Trails is a quarterly magazine that features the latest news in the province’s grape fields.

This year’s selection panel is comprised of 2009 winner for Artistic Innovation, artist Margaret Dragu; Richmond Arts Coalition board member and last year’s winner for Volunteerism, Janice Froese;  Richmond Chamber of Commerce board member Lisa Wong; and Teresa Takeuchi, artist and  administrator for the City of Richmond.

The Richmond Arts Awards was developed in partnership with the Richmond Arts Coalition and is sponsored by the Richmond News.

The abstract painting was installed earlier this month in the lobby of 1075 West Georgia Street in Vancouver, British Columbia, where it can be viewed by the public.

The painting, titled Thermal Core, is a stunning work measuring 17 feet by 8 feet. Thermal Core is painted in acrylic and was composed over a period of 5 months.

Vincent Alvaro thinks this is a bit boring. So he wants to shake things up with his new club, Five Sixty.

Located in the old A&B Sound store at 560 Seymour, it’s much larger than most local nightclubs – 28,000 sq. ft. spread over four floors. The size means it can have several different themes within the overall space. When it’s going full-tilt, 500 patrons will be able to walk around and choose between three separate mini-clubs, each with its own DJ.

But Alvaro sees it as more than just a hopping late-night space. He wants Five Sixty to be a cultural hub, a place where creative people will meet and mingle.

“We’re focusing on the arts community as patrons,” he explains. “People involved in film, fashion, music, the visual arts, design, that type of thing.”

One of the ways he plans to attract the art crowd is by showing original art. Video art will be shown in the main dance space; a mezzanine will have a photo gallery. A painting by Attila Richard Lukacs is behind the bar in a lounge.

Awards will be presented in six categories:

• Business and the Arts
• Arts Volunteerism
• Cultural Leadership
• Artistic Innovation
• Arts Education
• Youth Arts

Three finalists in each category will be announced on April 9, 2010.

I hope you will participate by nominating artists, organizations and educators that deserve recognition, as well as supporters like board members, sponsors and volunteers. The Richmond Arts Awards program is a great way to let the people “behind the scenes” know how much you appreciate their ongoing support.

If you do not already have a nomination form, you can download one at www.richmond.ca/culture/artists/art-awards.htm

Chambar restaurant

Chambar owner Karri Schuermans has maintained a commitment to the arts community since she and husband Nico opened the Beatty Street restaurant five years ago. “It has been important for us to use Chambar as a place for guests to explore the dynamism of Vancouver, not just on their plate, but through their entire dining experience.” Schuermans typically rotates exhibitions in the restaurant every four to six weeks. Running for the duration of the Olympics, the sculptural work of Josh Van Dyke and large format resin paintings by George Vergette will adorn the restaurant’s heritage brick walls.