Media Release

Winner of 3rd Annual Contemporary Visual Art Purchase Program Announced

(Friday, October 14, 2011) - Mayor Peter Kelly and Halifax Regional Council are pleased to announce Juan Ortiz-apuy as the winner in the 3rd Annual HRM Contemporary Visual Art Purchase Program for his work entitled "Species of Spaces (Sentence)".

“I congratulate Juan on his success and hope he continues to use his considerable talents to enrich our community,” said Mayor Peter Kelly. “HRM will be honoured to show his work in its public buildings.”

The contest was open to HRM-based, emerging and mid-career, 2D visual artists. The works of the winner and two honourable mentions are purchased as part of HRM’s permanent art collection and displayed in HRM public buildings as part of a developing program to showcase the work of local contemporary artists. The short-listed exhibitors will be paid an honorarium for their participation.

“Again this year I am impressed with the quality of work of that was submitted and the interest shown by the local arts community in participating,” said the Mayor. “Our municipality is richer for the vibrant role that culture plays in our region."

Honourable mentions were awarded to Aimée Henny Brown for her series Western Pulp, and Scott Bertram for his painting May.

Audiences can view the purchased works in Halifax Hall, Halifax City Hall during Nocturne: Art at Night, Saturday, October 15, from 6 p.m.- midnight. The works can also be viewed online

at http://www.halifax.ca/Culture/PublicArt/ContemporaryArtAward.html  #twenty11

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Mayor Peter Kelly
Halifax Regional Municipality
490-4010

Jamie MacLellan
HRM Cultural Affairs
490-1039