—Three colourful steel sculptures to temporarily reside outside Hall D on Jasper Ave.

The Shaw Conference Centre (SCC), in partnership with The Art & Design in Public Places Program (The Places), will proudly unveil three new vibrant, colourful steel sculptures by renowned Edmonton artist Mark Bellows on Monday, Sept. 14, 2009. All interested media are invited to attend this event.
 
When: 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 14, 2009
Where: outside Shaw Conference Centre’s main entrance – 9797 Jasper Avenue - rain or shine
 Sculpture unveiling: Hall D’s north wall on Jasper Avenue – known as DREAM.big Plaza.

The art unveiling will be the culmination of The Places fourth annual Sculpture by Invitation Program. Edmonton artist Mark Bellows has been awarded the opportunity to showcase for one year his painted steel sculptures entitled ‘Twisted Triptych’ within the niches of DREAM.big Plaza at the SCC.

Bellows’ focus is “to create energy - let the metal do the talking” by transforming clean-cut bands of steel into twisted colourful ribbons. His three large pieces are designed to ensure those who travel by foot, bike or car have an opportunity to enjoy and contemplate an art experience. ‘Twisted Triptych’ will be on display at the SCC until September 2010.
 
“The SCC investment in the Sculpture by Invitation Program gets art out of the studio and onto the streets. The annual exhibit recognizes the creative artistic excellence in our city and celebrates sculpture in the urban environment for the benefit of Edmontonians and visitors alike” says Linda Wedman, Executive Director of The Places Art & Design in Public Places Program.
 
“The Shaw Conference Centre has become a place for people and art” says Mike Fitzpatrick, Vice-President and General Manager of the Shaw Conference Centre. “Our year-round commitment to public art adds to the visitor experience and helps the Convention Centre – and indeed Edmonton – be recognized as a place where culture, business and tourism come together in a very exciting way.”
 
The Places, a program of The Works International Visual Arts Society, was launched in 1999 as a community based, multi-partner initiative designed to help revitalize Edmonton's downtown core. The SCC has been partnering with The Places since 2006 on these year-long exhibits by local artists. Mark Bellows’ ‘Twisted Triptych’ is the SCC’s fourth instalment.
 
Artist Bio:
Mark Bellows lives and works in Edmonton and holds a degree in Fine Art from the University of Alberta (1999).

Over the last ten years, Bellows has developed a studio practice and exhibited extensively with two solo and over one dozen group exhibits to his credit.

Bellows is a recipient of three project grants from the Alberta Foundation for the Arts (AFA). His artwork is also in the AFA Collection as well as in other private and corporate collections.
 
Media Contact:
Cathy Ennis
Communications Manager, External Relations
Edmonton Economic Development Corp. (EEDC)
Phone: 780.917.7894
Email: Cennis@edmonton.com

For more information on Edmonton Economic Development Corporation, Edmonton Research Park, Edmonton Tourism or Shaw Conference Centre, please visit www.edmonton.com or www.edmontonstories.ca.