New purchases for Provincial Art Bank

Artist Monica Lacey says the Provincial Art Bank supports and validates her career as a professional artist.

"I have been fortunate to have several pieces selected for purchase by the art bank over the years. Having my work in a public collection like this is important to the growth of my career and the visibility of my work,” said Lacey. “I've had a lot of great feedback from people who have seen my work through the art bank in various government buildings. It is a crucial program for Island artists and a great opportunity to have our work both collected and shown."

Lacey’s work was one of six pieces selected for purchase by a peer-review jury out of 75 submissions. The art bank acquires, loans out and displays works by professional Island artists for public spaces.

“The art bank is a wonderful way for us to celebrate and recognize our Island artists,” said Minister of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture Matthew MacKay.

“The art bank allows our artists to have their work displayed across the province and appreciated by Islanders from tip to tip. We are so fortunate to have such talented artists on our Island.”

The provincial art bank was established in 1979 as a working collection to encourage the celebration of, and public interaction with, PEI’s artistic excellence. Most items are displayed in reception and high-traffic areas of public buildings and are also available for educational use. 

There are now 255 pieces in the collection, which is housed in Access PEI sites, the provincial government complex and public libraries.

Media contact:
Hillary MacDonald
Department of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture
902-394-6368
hpsmacdonald@gov.pe.ca 

Backgrounder

Here are the successful submissions purchased for the provincial art bank:

Artist: Monica Lacey
Title: Optimism
Medium: Mixed media - acrylic, ink, collage, and encaustic on wood panel

Artist: Glen Strickey 
Title of Work: Setting Day #2
Medium: Photographic prints on metallic and archival paper 

Artist: Monica MacDonald
Title of Work: My Childhood Playground
Medium: Acrylic paint on canvas

Artist: Lorraine Vatcher
Title of Work: Precarious 
Medium: Acrylic painting on canvas, framed

Artist: Renee Laprise
Title of Work: Living the dream. Dreaming the life.
Medium: Acrylic on canvas 

Artist: Norma Jean MacLean
Title of Work: Grafting no. 4
Medium: Oil on canvas