The city of Nanaimo, B.C., has officially selected the artwork for its sesquicentennial street banners. Image courtesy City of Nanaimo
The city of Nanaimo, B.C., has officially selected the artwork for its sesquicentennial street banners.
Inspired by the convergence of land and sea, as well as the blend of urban and rural life that comprises the city’s landscape, local artist Amy Pye’s design will be displayed starting in spring 2024.
Pye has been involved in the graphic design industry for the last 20 years. During that time, she has explored other artistic avenues such as mural design, acrylic and watercolour painting, pottery, and illustration. She is a children’s book author and illustrator, the owner of Pye Design and Marketing, and the head of marketing for Real Estate Webmasters. As an artist on the urban design roster for the past two years, Pye has contributed to civic urban design and artwork related to infrastructure for the City of Nanaimo.
“Each year, we anticipate the unveiling of new street banners to brighten our city streets,” says Mayor Leonard Krog. “The artwork chosen for the 2024 banners not only highlights the extraordinary talent and passion of a local artist, but also reflects a deep love and appreciation for the city we call home.”
When creating their artwork, potential candidates were asked to consider what makes Nanaimo unique, as well as a destination of choice, and what captures and reflects positive memories of the community. Pye’s design reflects an appreciation for the complexity of the city, as well as its captivating landscape. It also depicts “150” as more than just a number, which instead takes on a transformative shape that tells a story.
“Nanaimo is my hometown and I recently returned after living in the U.S. for a short period,” says Pye. “The joy I felt upon learning my banner was chosen surpassed the typical victory of a design competition. To me, it felt like a ‘welcome home’ gift—a waving banner guiding me back to my community. I am immensely proud to call Nanaimo home and to be chosen to depict this significant occasion.”
