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Arts Station dumpsters beautify Fernie

The Arts Station dumpster art program and contest was a success in 2019. Beautification was the objective. Local artists and The Arts Station staff delivered – big time. Graffiti and industrial green were replaced by professional works of art that reflect the splendour of Fernie’s human and physical geography.
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The People’s Choice award for best dumpster went to Jennifer Van Popta. The Arts Station/Submitted

The Arts Station dumpster art program and contest was a success in 2019. Beautification was the objective. Local artists and The Arts Station staff delivered – big time. Graffiti and industrial green were replaced by professional works of art that reflect the splendour of Fernie’s human and physical geography.

The Arts Station Executive Director, Louise Ferguson, said the program is cause for celebration.

“This is the sixth year for the dumpster program,” she said. “It’s an annual project. Artists put together an application, and a committee picks artists. They spend a weekend painting the dumpsters with their chosen design, then we have a party to celebrate, which we changed up a little bit this year.”

Ferguson added that she is grateful to donors and sponsors.

“We received a grant from the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance, which enabled us to pay the artists,” she explained. “It’s the arts granting body of the Columbia Basin Trust. They provide grants, especially for the arts. We got a grant for artists to be able to share their work. That was really exciting. This year we got such positive feedback.”

Fernie Brewing Company sponsored the event this year.

“They wanted to have their dumpsters painted because they are very visible on the highway,” said Ferguson. “They thought it would be great to be a part of it. We are very thankful for their contribution.

The winning dumpster has actually gone to Fernie Brewing.”

Winner of the People’s Choice was Jennifer Van Popta.