Local author looking for help

NEW GLASGOW - A New Glasgow author is looking for help for a new book he's putting together to showcase the variety and styles of outdoor art in the Atlantic provinces.

Peter Durant says nearly every community in the region has at least one example of a public mural and many also have chainsaw tree carvings. He's looking for the public's assistance in tracking down the region's outdoor artworks.

"As a writer and woodcarver it just seemed like a natural evolution for me to begin putting together this book," Durant said. "The scope of the project has kept it on the back burner for awhile now, but as more and more of the research information comes in, the collected work will move forward rapidly."

The book - which Mr. Durant plans on publishing himself - will feature full-colour photos with detailed information on an estimated 200-300 separate artworks spread throughout communities of the entire region.

"Over the last few months I've tried to contact as many municipal leaders in the region as possible," Durant said.

"But I'm sure the public can provide me with a lot more help in locating the best outdoor art in the region."

Durant is hoping local people will contact him with hidden jewels of outdoor artwork for possible inclusion in the book.

"I need to know where these artworks are and hopefully, who to contact for information," he explained.

"The artworks can't be included in the book if I don't know anything about them."

Each artwork showcased in the book will feature not only several photographs of the artwork, but also relevant information on the artist(s), the date of its creation and any other stories and background tidbits that can be gathered with the public's help.

Interviews with several artists will also be included in the book and a small locator map will also be shown with each artwork's information, detailing the exact location of each piece of art, so visitors to the region, as well as residents, can easily find each artwork.

"As much as I would enjoy it, it's nearly impossible - physically as well as financially - to tour every community in our region and gather up enough photos, interviews and information on every single public artwork, myself," Durant said. "If you've seen a public artwork, whether it was a mural that filled up the entire wall of a building, a beautifully-painted entrance to a business or an eye-catching chainsaw carving, I'd like to know about it."

Durant can be reached through e-mail at artalfresco@gmail.com.