NB Foundation for the Arts Announces Art in Public Places Competition Winner

Fredericton (January 24, 2011) - Artist 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 from among a group of artists who responded to a Call for Expression of Interest issued in June 2010.

The $20,000 commission is being funded by the City of Fredericton, which received a $10,000 prize in November 2009 after being named Arts Municipality of the year by the NB Foundation for the Arts . City Council matched the $10,000 award and put it toward the commissioned art work for its new 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.”

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.

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.

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.

Mr. Schneider's artwork will be installed on the second floor of the Conference Centre 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.