Alan Reynolds Sculpture

Edmonton artist wins fifth annual Sculpture By Invitation

Alan Reynolds' work displayed outside Shaw centre

EDMONTON -- Artist Alan Reynolds welcomes thoughtful contemplation of his new exhibit from passersby at Edmonton's Shaw Conference Centre. He just hopes the "graffiti boys and girls" won't feel inspired to add to it.

"I appreciate the opportunity; artists always like to see their work in a public place," Reynolds said today, raising his voice to be heard over the wail of a passing police cruiser speeding down Jasper Avenue. A longtime Edmonton artist with an international reputation, Reynolds was on hand when his work was officially unveiled as the winning entry in the fifth annual design competition, Sculpture By Invitation. A partnership between the Shaw Conference Centre and The Places Art & Design in Public Places program, it aims to help revitalize and beautify the downtown core, and to showcase the talent of local artists.

"It's intended to get artists' work out of the studio and get it onto the streets," said Linda Wedman, executive director of The Places.

As the winner, Reynolds was also given a $10,000 cash prize. For the next year, his work - five steel pieces built to human scale and inspired by early Greek torso sculpture - will be on display in the three niches along the north-facing wall outside the Shaw, at 97th Street and Jasper Avenue.

So far, The Places, launched in 1999 by The Works International to beautify downtown, has completed 44 projects with the help of various partners.