Got a word for this new art installation in downtown Penticton?

PENTICTON – They are looking for words to go with this statue. 

The City of Penticton and Valley First Credit Union have already selected this design — 'Helping Hand' — for a public sculpture on Front Street, but now they are asking for a little help. 

The sculpture will be made of steel and estimated at between 800 and 1,000 pounds, 12 feet high and 10 feet across. Yes, the hand is expected to be blue as the artwork suggests. Yes, a tree is anticipated to grow in the middle. 

The proposal by David Jacob Harder was selected by three local artists, the city and the credit union.

“The city and Valley First representatives invited proposals for outdoor sculptures that reflected the values of both organizations including innovation, authenticity, diversity and community spirit,” local art supporter Robin Robertson said, adding the Harder sculpture reflected those values.

Residents will be invited to suggest a series of words conveying the spirit of community in Penticton that will be etched on the exterior of the art work, a press release issued by the city today, March 14 said.

Mr. Harder will visit a number of locations across the city on March 29 to get citizen’s suggestions.

The artist will be at the following locations on March 29:

• Penticton Art Gallery from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Downtown at the corner of Main Street and Westminister Avenue from noon to 1 p.m.
• Cannery Brewing from 3 to 5 p.m.

Once a final list of words is put together, residents can vote on the final words through the city’s shapeyourcity website. The final list will also be translated into the Sylix Okanagan language and other languages spoken in the city.

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