Latest news with #communityconnection
CTV News
21 hours ago
- Entertainment
- CTV News
Edmonton artwork nominated for top 100 international public art projects
One of the phones from the Play it by Ear public art installation in Butler Memorial Park in Edmonton can be seen on July 03, 2025. (Evan Klippenstein/CTV News Edmonton) An Edmonton public art work has been nominated for an international award. The interactive art installation Play it by Ear was created by Calgary artists Caitlind r.c. Brown and Wayne Garrett and installed in Butler Memorial Park in 2023. Park visitors can pick up one of the brightly coloured phones to send a call to a matching phone somewhere else in the park, hopefully sparking a conversation with whoever stops to pick it up. If no one answers, the phones record a message that can be listened to by other visitors. 'It's really encouraging that community connection,' said Renée Williams, executive director of Edmonton Arts Council (EAC). Williams said the installation has been nominated as one of public art industry leader CODAworx's Top 100 Public Art Projects for 2025. It will compete against 281 entries from 14 countries. 'We're going to find out in August if we've been selected, and (we're) so excited to see what comes of that,' she said. 'Public art is such an important part of what the EAC does here in the city' 'We've got such a great public art program that's recognized nationally,' she added. 'We have different cities that reach out all the time to understand what it is that we do.' According to Williams, there are about 300 pieces of public art in Edmonton. She encourages Edmontonians to visit the EACwebsite to learn more and find out where to go to find installations and artworks to engage with. 'There's a story behind every single piece in the collection, so understand the story, understand the connection, and understand the place that it's in and what it represents – and you might find yourself coming to be a big fan of public art,' she added.
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
TV's Yorkshire Vet appeals for 'lifeline' rural bus drivers
A TV vet has backed an appeal for volunteer drivers to come forward to keep a sausage company's free rural bus service Food, based in Bedale, launched its nine-seater pink minibus in October 2024, to help reduce isolation for people living in rural parts of North has no set timetable, with residents able to make their own travel bookings - and has proved a popular "lifeline". Peter Wright, from Channel 5 series The Yorkshire Vet, said: "The biggest problem we've got though now is - because it is such a successful venture - we're just lacking drivers." Mr Wright added: "Rural loneliness isn't just about being alone - it's about being cut off, physically, emotionally and socially. "The bus is a lifeline. "I've seen elderly people who've gone days without speaking to another soul. This bus helps people reconnect. It brings back dignity and joy."The bus service was launched after research commissioned by Age UK, found more than 1.1 million older people relied on using public transport to access Keeble, from sausage company Heck Food, said the service was "another way of connecting with our community". But she added: "We need more volunteer drivers to help us reach even more people. "If you can spare some time to help us drive the bus, and keep the wheels turning, we'd love to hear from you." Listen to highlights from North Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
