2023 Utility Box Beautification Project
2023 Utility Box Beautification Project Selected Artists!
The City of Duncan is thrilled to announce the artwork chosen for the 2023 Utility Box Beautification Project! Work from four artists: Debralyn Beavers, Chantey Dayal, Lindsay Myers, and Claudia Lohmann will be installed on utility boxes in and around downtown Duncan in Spring 2024, when daytime temperatures permit. Please check out the selected artwork below, in alphabetical order, by artist last name. A big thanks to all involved!
Snail Crossing by Debralyn Beavers
About Snail Crossing
Surrounded by the noise from everyday life, this artwork invites onlookers to take a moment, finding tranquility in the simple pleasures of life. The combination of the snail's unhurried pace, the allure of a good read, and the fluttering butterfly creates a visual ode to the importance of slowing down and savouring each moment.
About the Artist
I was born and raised in Nanaimo, BC. Creating digital art since 2020, my art is 
a candid exploration of feminism, mental health, and self-care. Collaborating closely with local print shops, I translate these digital creations into tangible expressions – from vibrant stickers to unique trinkets. My practice is a subtle nod to personal and social narratives. In each piece is a quiet anthem, echoing the uninhibited self. My aspiration is that this art serves as an invitation for you to engage in concepts related to empowerment and connection alongside me.
Instagram: @formuladebs_art Website:https://formuladebs.square.site/
Installation Location
Snail Crossing will be installed on the utility box at Canada Avenue and Ingram Street.
Broo ha ha! by Chantey Dayal
About Broo ha ha!
Broo ha ha! was created as a part of a larger collection of paintings themed on local Quw'utsun' Wildlife. The painting was exhibited during the Somenos Marsh Wildlife Society's Wildwings Festival in 2022 which was themed on salmon. This painting depicts the interconnection between the many animal beings, elements, and weather patterns during the salmon run.
About the Artist
Chantey Dayal gratefully lives and makes art in Quw’utsun’ mustimuhw Territory. She is a colour addict, a stargazer, a plant lover, a meal maker, a conscious dancer, and is always on the lookout for delight. As a first generation Canadian of Indian and Middle Eastern descent, Chantey’s art incorporates values drawn from her cultural heritage, and strikes the viewer through a bold use of colour, shape, and contrast. She is often steeped in poetry, mythology, rhythm, ritual, and the fables of faraway places. This ignites and compels her towards all that is deeply feminine and life-giving.
Website www.chanteydayal.com Instagram @chanteydayal
Installation Location
Broo ha ha! will be installed on the utility box on Station Street at Canada Avenue.
Tiny Cities by Lindsay Myers
About Tiny Cities
Growing up in Duncan I was enmeshed in the wonder of the natural beauty of the valley. The fields kept me company. The rivers and creeks held space for me. The forest taught me to be inquisitive. Much of that wonder has been lost as our «Tiny City » has grown. But a new beauty is found in the community relationships I am building as a harm reduction worker, as a volunteer for various organizations, and as a window painter for local shops. Our community is rich in diversity and experience. We are not perfect. I envision a tiny city with a big heart holding space for all of its members.
About the Artist
Lindsay is an artist and harm reduction
worker based in the Cowichan Valley. Through painting, her goal is to bring back the wonder and curiosity of earthly magic and human nature. She hopes to inspire viewers to pause and play and imagine.
Instagram @kitchen.illustrations Facebook @ Kitchen Illustrations Website under construction www.kitchenillustrations.ca
Installation Location
Tiny Cities will be installed on the utility box on Kenneth Street near Canada Avenue.
Jungle by Claudia Lohmann
About Jungle
Jungle was one of my earlier works that is still among my favourites. As a work in my imaginative geometric abstract style the subject matter and composition was fully from my imagination.
About the Artist
Born in Germany, Claudia Lohmann has been exposed to art her entire life. Her father was an artist accomplished in landscapes, architecture, and still life. Claudia immigrated to Canada in 1995 with her husband and three children. With her family’s support and encouragement, s
he began to experiment in 2004 with various styles and mediums and has since come to favor acrylic paint on wood and canvas. Her paintings began with rudimentary geometric shapes in intricate patterns and bold colours in daring combinations. Although still rooted in her beginnings, her style since progressed into an ever more deliberate method featuring bold lineation and tincture with subtle shapes and symbolism. She calls it “Imaginative Geometric Abstract.” Claudia’s style has since developed further into abstract paintings that are free from her traditional geometric shapes. Claudia lives in Ladysmith.
Over the past years Claudia has been displaying her art in shows such as Sooke Fine Art Show, Sidney Fine Art Show, in the Federation of Canadian Artist Gallery on Granville Island in Vancouver, at Nanaimo Fine Art Show, and in the Ladysmith Waterfront Gallery. In 2015 Claudia became an AFCA member.
Facebook: @lohmannstudiogallery Instagram: @claudia.lohmann.artist
Installation Location: Jungle will be installed on the utility box at Centennial Park
Stay tuned as we transform these functional structures into captivating pieces of public art, reflecting the unique spirit and diversity of our local artists. Dates for the Spring 2024 installations will be posted here.
Thank you to all who made submissions, the call is now closed.
Call to Artists
The City of Duncan is on a mission to beautify Duncan's utility boxes with public art. We are inviting local artists to submit copies of their original art which best celebrates our community to be used in wrapping a selection of utility boxes.
Chosen work, in whole or in part, will be reproduced on a graffiti-resistant surface to beautify existing utility boxes in and around Duncan's downtown area.
The contest is open to all artists, and we encourage youth (under 30), artists who identify as BIPOC, and artists who identify as 2SLGBTQI+ to apply.
Selected images to be used for wrapping utility boxes will receive a $300.00 honorarium and have their name, biography, social media handles, and art displayed on the city website, as well as in a press release and city newsletter.
To make a submission please email Larissa Barry-Thibodeau (she/her/hers), City Planner, at larissa@duncan.ca
Utility box designs left to right: Town of Sydney, City of Burbank, Peace River
The City of Duncan 2023 Utility Box Beautification Project has identified 3 utility boxes as candidates for beautification in 2023. Please see photos and map. Project Update: An additional utility box has been identified at 21 Kenneth Street for the 2023 program.
- Utility Box on Station Street at Canada Avenue (across from the Train Station).
- Utility Box in Centennial Park (beside the playground).
- Utility Box at Ingram and Government Street (beside pay parking lot).
- Utility Box at 21 Kenneth Street
Submission Requirements
- No more than 4 images of recent work. Images must be JPEGS and no larger than 1.5 MB each.
- A list of works submitted including name, title, dimensions, and year.
- Artist’s contact information.
- Artist's statement that provides details of how the submission is in keeping with the selection guidelines.
To make a submission please email Larissa Barry-Thibodeau (she/her/hers), City Planner, at larissa@duncan.ca
Selection Guidelines
- Cowichan Valley artists will be given preference.
- Submissions from Youth (under 30 years of age) are strongly encouraged.
- Submissions from artists who identify as BIPOC are strongly encouraged.
- Submissions from artists who identify as 2SLGBTQI+ are strongly encouraged.
- The art enhances the current built form, landscaping and/or other physical features near the box location.
- The art invites a sense of intrigue and playfulness.
- The art creates a sense of place linked to the Cowichan Valley.
- The art recognizes the richness and complexity of local ecosystems.
- The art celebrates diversity and culture within the city.
- The art adds to the variety of themes, styles, and perspectives of public art in the City.
An art selection panel will review and select the images.
Thank you to all who made submissions, the call is now closed.
Question and Answers
Q1. How do I make a submission?
A1. Please email submissions to larissa@duncan.ca
Q2. Are the submitted art pieces the ones you will select from? Or is the artist presenting recent work, and if chosen, crafting another piece specifically for the box?
A2. The call to artists is for copies of original work, not new designs. The submitted pieces will be considered for use on one of the three identified utility boxes in town.
Q3. Is the call closed?
A3. The call has been extended to Monday, October 23, 2023.
Q4. Does the submitter of the design need to adapt it into 4 panels that fit the sides of the utility box?
A4. No, the contractor will adapt the selected images to the utility boxes.
Thank you for your contribution!
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