27 Sep GROUNDBREAKING LAUNCHES CANVAS OUTDOOR MUSEUM SHOW
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (September 27, 2016) — Local officials and art enthusiasts gathered today to break ground on CANVAS, the nation’s largest outdoor museum show, launched last year to international acclaim. To be held this year at Jose Marti Park in West Palm Beach, FL, CANVAS put into motion its multi-phase event that will transform vacant, city-owned lots along Flagler Drive into imaginative, interactive, art-filled parks. The 10-day experience will run November 11 – 20 throughout Downtown West Palm Beach, now well known for its art and cultural scene. The people and companies driving the CANVAS movement include founder and gallerist Nicole Henry; Mayor Jeri Muoio and the City of West Palm Beach; the West Palm Beach Downtown Development Authority; the West Palm Beach Community Redevelopment Agency; West Palm Beach Art in Public Places; the Related Cos.; Hilton West Palm Beach; GlilddenSpina + Partners; and Downtown Abacoa.
Starting this year, CANVAS will be centrally located along the busy Flagler Drive, directly across the Intracoastal Waterway from Palm Beach. The lush green space along the waterfront will be built into a world-class outdoor museum accessible to the public year-round with rotating exhibitions and its annual show in November. The first phase which will come to fruition this year will include a Kids Art Park, Chamber Park, Installation Park, as well as colossal murals. Attendees will find themselves in awe of 14-foot-tall laser-cut sculpture installations illustrating design and technology, exploring 40-foot-long monumental shipping containers with designs that connect art to the landscape and examining railroad boxcar installations that will reflect on the historical significance of Flagler Drive. An outdoor classroom and a playful art-inspired playground will be featured in the interactive Kids Art Park, graciously funded by John S. and James L. Knight Foundation Fund of the Community Foundation for Palm Beach and Martin Counties and Knight Foundation program director, Lilly Weinberg.
“Last year, as we introduced the public to CANVAS, the community got a taste for its potential and it left a lasting impression on Downtown West Palm Beach. Now we’re realizing a permanent home for the CANVAS Outdoor Museum. CANVAS has become an ingrained component of the art and cultural experience in West Palm Beach now, and I’m thrilled to continue this journey that is captivating the imagination of the international art community,” said Henry. “Today marks the beginning of the installation of both temporary and permanent artworks from well-known artists from across the globe. I can’t wait to show our residents and visitors to Downtown West Palm Beach what we have in store this year.”
With the plans set and renderings approved, we eagerly await the arrival of more than 15 cutting-edge artists from around the world to touch down in West Palm Beach. While the lineup includes some familiar faces from last year’s inaugural show, several new artists are excited to join the roster in the rotating exhibition. World-renowned artists participating in CANVAS 2016 includes: Amanda Valdes; Astro; Brendan Murphy; Case Maclaim; Filthy Luker; Greg Mike; Griffin Loop; HoxxoH; Hula; Hybycozo; Kobra; Laura Kimpton; Lonac; PichiAvo; Pipsqueak Was Here!!!; Sipros; WRDSMTH; and Zeus. This year’s theme is “connection,” and what connection represents to an artist and to the creative experience.
CANVAS will be augmented by a series of free and ticketed events, including the CANVAS Art Gala on October 22, 2016 at the CANVAS VIP Pop-up Lounge at 1016 Clare Ave., hosted by Bettina Anderson, Lizzi Bickford and Chris Leavitt with a live musical performance by hip-hop superstar Ja Rule. Proceeds from the CANVAS Art Gala will support CANVAS Art Charities, a non-profit organization dedicated to funding visual arts to enrich public spaces and foster social and economic outcomes.
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