Michael Amar and Frances Key speak to the Belleville Downtown Improvement Area’s board of directors about their project, A_WALL.(photo/Quinte News).
Artists and supporters of the arts plan on putting some color into downtown Belleville.
At a recent meeting of the new Belleville Downtown Business Area board, art enthusiasts Michael Amar
and Frances Key described a project they are spearheading called A_WALL.
For its maiden run, A_WALL will see nine local artists create what they wish using a 4 by 8 sheet of plywood.
The works will be hung on the outer walls of businesses in the downtown. Nine businesses have agreed to take part.
The art would be unveiled sometime in the spring. New artists and businesses would get involved after about 6 months
so it’s hoped A_WALL would be an ongoing effort.
Amar and Key asked the BDIA board for $4,500 to pay each of the artists a $300 honorarium and help cover the
the cost of materials.
While everyone on the board supported the idea, some, like Ed Kafka, Paul Dinkel, and Paula Finkle worried about the amount because
the BDIA budget has had to be pared back.
In the end, the board passed a motion to financially support A_WALL with a grant of “up to” $4,500.
The board asked Amar and Key to ask businesses and other organizations for financial support and donations in kind, which
they agreed to do.
Board members Ed Kafka and Jamie Troke both expressed interest in supporting the project.
Funds raised from the selling of the artwork after it’s displayed could help make the project self sustainable financially.
The businesses taking part intially are Stephen Licence LTD, The Brake Room, Bikes-Coffee, Buhran Developments, Barratt’s Office Pro,
Ekort Realty, Front Dollar Store, The Dance Company, La Maison d’Eva, and Mr. Zed’s Billiard Room.
