April 2012
villagevibe News and views from the heart of Fernwood
Pole Painting Proliferates ›› Mila Czemerys
W
hat do Oak Bay, Sooke, South Jubilee, Oaklands, Burnside Gorge, Salt Spring Island, Honduras, Mexico, and Fernwood have in common? They all have painted telephone poles. Last May, our little neighbourhood made national news by painting over 100 telephone poles with bright, bold, colourful designs. There were loads of news stories, inquiries, discussions, and much praise for this collaborative, neighbour-driven project. Hundreds of volunteers gave their energy, time, and imagination to transform our streets. Other neighbourhoods have started to join in on the fun; painted poles are popping up everywhere. Let’s do it again! Get your smock ready and ponder your dream design; you and your friends are invited to take part in the 2nd Fernwood Pole Painting Project, on May 26th. Since last year’s event was so much fun, how could we resist doing it all over again? Emily Grav of The Paint Box School of Art, Beth Threlfall—pole painter extraordinaire—and Fernwood NRG are coming together to bring you not just a day but a whole week of painta-pole greatness. To start, Emily Grav of the Paint Box School of Art will be hosting a Design and Stencil Making Workshop on May 19th from 12:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. at the Fernwood Community Centre. She will teach you how to get the creative juices flowing and make a stencil for your pole. It’s free and you can pick up your Pole Painting Kit at the workshop. People of all artistic abilities are encouraged to come. This year, pre-made stencils will not be provided, so this is a great opportunity to create your own. If you can’t make it to the workshop, you can pick-up your Pole Painting Kit at the Fernwood NRG Office at 1313 Gladstone Avenue during the week of May 21st to 25th between 9:30 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. The kit will include instructions, paint, signage, and more. There will only be 100 kits available so come early so you don’t miss out. If any kits are left over, they will be available in Fernwood Square at 10:00 a.m. on May 26th. Finally, when May 26th comes, it's the
Last May, hundreds of volunteers came out to paint telephone poles in Fernwood. Photo: Liz Rubincam
day to paint your pole. Get up, brush your teeth, get your painting clothes on, and get all your supplies ready. Step 1: Find a pole in Fernwood – Look for a pole that has not been painted; try Stanley Avenue, Pembroke Street, Chambers Street, and Grant Street. Step 2: Put down your drop cloth – You can use old newspaper, or a tarp to protect the ground from splatters and splashes. Step 3: Prime your pole – Use a dark, neutral colour. This is important because it will give you a clean canvas and will make your colours pop. Wait until it is dry—2/3 hours! If you primed the pole earlier in the
week, you can skip this step. Step 4: Paint your pole – Be creative, have fun and remember to keep your paint afterwards for touch ups. Step 5: Clean up – You are responsible for cleaning up ALL your supplies. Take everything with you and dispose of it responsibly. Finally, remember to meet in Fernwood Square between noon and 2:00 p.m. for a free Pole Painting BBQ Celebration. Think food, drinks, music, and bubbles! If you plan on painting a pole near your house, post a sign on it on May 26th that says, “This pole has an artist." If you would
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rather have the pole in front of your house blank, please post a sign on it on May 26th that says, “I am beautiful the way I am, please leave me blank.” There will be signs available for pick-up at 1313 Gladstone Avenue during pole painting week. In the words of Beth Threlfall, “This project brings great depth and soul to our neighbourhood.” Our goal this year is to paint an additional 100 telephone poles in Fernwood. Don’t forget to take a walk and be inspired by what other people have done. Fernwoodians paint your poles! Find more information at www. fernwoodnrg.ca.
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