A new kiosk at the Art @ the Bayside Satellite Gallery in Parksville will enhance the visibility of local artwork.
The initiative is a collaborative effort between the McMillan Arts Centre (MAC) and the Bayside Oceanfront Resort, reflecting a shared commitment to promoting the artistic community, according to a news release by the Art @ the Bayside team.
“The partnership between the McMillan Arts Centre and the Bayside Oceanfront Resort, and the Art @ the Bayside Satellite Gallery, recognizes the importance of bringing art and culture to a visitor experience and the economic and social impacts," said Jennifer Bate, executive director of the MAC. "Thank you to Darren and his team, as well as our wonderful curator, Susan Schaefer, for bringing more local art to residents and visitors to Oceanside.”
The official unveiling of the kiosk is planned for Dec. 5, at 4 p.m. at the Bayside Oceanfront Resort.
“When I assumed the role of curator, my goal was to create a platform that would not only showcase art but also facilitate connections between artists and patrons," said Schaefer. "My husband, Jeff Shields, inspired the idea of developing a dedicated website accessible via a kiosk on-site.”
The project quickly gained momentum with the enthusiastic support of Bate and Darren Watson, general manager of the Bayside Resort.
The website, designed by Jeff Shields of Young at Art Web Services in collaboration with Schaefer, is an interactive online gallery. Installing a kiosk equipped with an iPad will give visitors direct access to this digital platform, available at the Bayside and at https://artatthebayside.ca/.
“We believe that by launching this website and kiosk, we can significantly elevate the profile of Art @ The Bayside, making it accessible to a global audience,” Schaefer said. “Moreover, it will offer guests of the Bayside Resort an interactive way to take a self-guide art tour.”
