Schneider selected to create site-specific work for Fredericton Convention Centre

January 24th, 2011

Fredericton, New Brunswick

Ms. Indu Varma, Chair of the NB Foundation for the Arts (NBFA), is pleased to announce that Mr. Craig Schneider has been selected to create an original site-specific work of public art for the new Fredericton Convention Centre.

Mr. Schneider was selected among a group of artists who responded to a Call for Expression of Interest released in June 2010 following the City of Fredericton’s award of the “Municipality of the Arts of the Year” prize by the NBFA in 2009.

Upon receiving the award, the city of Fredericton matched the $10,000 award and opted for a commissioned art work to be installed in the convention centre on Queen Street.

“Council was very honoured to be recognized with the Municipality of the Arts Award, and equally pleased to match the funds for this commission of public art,” said Mayor Brad Woodside. “Mr. Schneider’s proposal reflects the natural beauty we enjoy here in Fredericton and I think this will be a fitting and exciting work of art that will provide enjoyment for all who visit our new convention centre.”

Short-listed preliminary proposals were reviewed by a five member Selection Committee composed of an architect, a representative from the City of Fredericton Cultural Affairs, two Directors of the NBFA and an art administrator.

Craig Schneider: Mr. Schneider holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Nova Scotia College of Arts and Design, and a Diploma in Fine Craft from the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design. He has received Creation grants from the Canada Council and the New Brunswick Arts Board for his ceramic and metal sculpture, which has been exhibited in group and solo shows throughout the Maritimes. His work is included in permanent collections, and has been featured in Ceramics Monthly and Arts Atlantic.

Mr. Schneider’s winning proposal consists of a large scale, hand-made ceramic-tile wall mural, incorporating a variety of colors, brushwork and glaze effects. Using a low-fired clay-body, with a range of blues, greens, white and yellows this piece depicts the beauty of the St. John River Valley as an expression of the energy within nature and place. The mural is a functional smooth glazed tile including highlights throughout using a crystalline glaze effect.

The piece will be installed on the second floor along a 30x9-foot curved wall outside the ballroom in the area called Pointe Ste. Anne Foyer. It is expected that the work will take up to five months to create and will be installed later this spring.

Municipality of the Arts of the Year Award: Every year, the New Brunswick Foundation for the Arts sends out a call for nominations for its “Municipality of the Arts of the Year” award program. This is a juried prize which recognizes the efforts of a municipality that has made a significant contribution to arts and culture in New Brunswick. The prize consists of either a commissioned work of art from a well-known New Brunswick artist to be displayed in a specific public place or the presentation of an art event chosen by the recipient municipality. The NBFA selects the artist or the art event for the prize after the recipient municipality has decided whether it will be the gift of an art work or the gift of an art event. One prize per year is awarded.

About NBFA

NBFA is a public, registered non-profit organization with the mission to raise, establish and manage funds that will be used to foster, promote, and sustain the long-term growth of New Brunswick’s cultural and artistic life. It was founded in 1992 and during the last decade, NBFA has managed the Arts and Heritage Stabilization Program for New Brunswick. It continues to manage the Arts and Cultural Endowment Fund Incentives Program for New Brunswick, the NBFA Prizes and Awards, the Nel Oudemans Scholarship Fund and the Charlotte Glencross Scholarship Fund.

In May 2010, the NBFA launched the Art Bond Project, a new and innovative way to support arts and culture in New Brunswick. Individuals and organizations are invited to join NBFA’s initiative by purchasing Art Bonds, each valued at $250. For more information, visit nbfa-fanb.ca.

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Contact: Denise Violette, General Manager, 506-460-6600