[Bcma-l] Two Rivers Gallery awarded Arts Partners in Creative Development Funds

[bcma-l@museumsassn.bc.ca]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, January 10, 2008

Two Rivers Gallery awarded Arts Partners in Creative Development Funds for
major public art commission.

PRINCE GEORGE (BC) - Two Rivers Gallery has been awarded $201,850 by Arts
Partners in Creative Development. This grant will enable the Gallery to
commission a major sculpture in Prince George. The funds will augment the
$91,705 that the City of Prince George has already committed to this
project.

Two Rivers Gallery will commission a sculpture titled "Balance" by Peter von
Tiesenhausen. The sculpture, made from cast iron and bronze, blends a
stylised human form with that of a tree. The human figure will be eight feet
tall, while a twelve foot tree will emerge from its head. The Gallery has
selected von Tiesenhausen for this project for a number of reasons. He is an
accomplished artist with an international reputation for exciting work. He
has high profile in our community having delivered three extraordinarily
popular talks as well as a major exhibition in Prince George. He lives in
the North, and has particular knowledge of issues facing our communities.
His work is compelling and relevant to central BC. This project has its
genesis in one of Two Rivers Gallery's most moving and popular exhibitions
in its thirty-six year history, von Tiesenhausen's 2005 exhibition
"Requiem", which addressed issues around the mountain pine beetle
infestation in Central BC.

This sculpture is designed to inspire our faith in nature while urging that
we assume responsibility for our lives and for our environment. The health
of our environment is rooted within ourselves and the communities in which
we live; hope lies in us and in our determination to make a difference.
Bringing together the human and tree forms, draws an important link between
nature, human beings and our communities. It speaks to the metaphorical
planting of the seeds of hope, responsibility and action. Our futures rest
in the balance.

"This is a proud moment for our community," said Mayor Colin Kinsley.  "Art
in all its forms enriches our quality of life and we are very fortunate to
have the support for the project. The grant announcement is certainly
welcome news and the artist chosen will provide a work of art with a
relevant northern theme profiling the respect and reliance we have on the
community's and the region's natural resources."

Peter von Tiesenhausen will conduct talks in the community describing the
building of the sculpture and elaborating upon its message of hope and
environmental stewardship.

"Prince George's public art program is a farsighted tool for community
development" said Two Rivers Managing Director Peter Thompson, "it helps to
foster a sense of ownership, belonging and pride in the city. "Balance" will
be a pivotal element in making Prince George BC's Northern Arts Capital as
envisioned by the City's public art policy."

Thompson also said that "the Gallery and the wider arts community are very
grateful for the support of the City government as well as the Provincial
government and the other partner organizations that contribute to Arts
Partners in Creative Development."

For more information of the City of Prince George's public art policy,
please visit www.city.pg.bc.ca/cityhall/policies/public_art_policy.pdf.
For more information on Arts Partners in Creative Development, including
details on the funded projects, a list of advisory panel members and program
guidelines, please visit www.ArtsPartners.ca.

For more information on Two Rivers Gallery activities, visit the gallery
from 10 a.m to 5 p.m. Monday to Saturday, noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, or go to
www.tworiversgallery.ca.


peter thompson
Managing Director
Two Rivers Gallery
http://tworiversgallery.ca
725 Civic Plaza
Prince George BC
V2L5T1
250.614.7803

--
"Beware of artists-they mix with all classes of society and are therefore
most dangerous."
--Queen Victoria