Photo: Contributed - Vernon Public Art Gallery

Photo: Contributed - Vernon Public Art Gallery

Photo: Contributed - Vernon Public Art Gallery

Photo: Contributed - Vernon Public Art Gallery

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Community members attacked Vernon’s downtown core on Friday in celebration of BC Arts and Culture week.

Vernon’s second ever “yarn bombing” event transformed the 30 Avenue construction area into public art with soft, bright and inspiring knitting projects.

Participants brightened up the Modu-Loc fencing with their spring-inspired yarn creations, representing blooming trees, flowers and vines.  

This isn’t the first time Vernon has been bombed, with yarn. Last fall during a Culture Days event, 30 Avenue was attacked by tree sweaters, pom-poms, and three dimensional creatures.

“We wanted to build on the success from our first attempt and also help encourage pedestrian traffic along 30 Avenue that is now under construction,” said Kelly MacIntosh, Marketing and Program Coordinator for the Vernon Public Art Gallery.

Yarn bombing is not a new movement. It’s been popular worldwide for at least the past 10 years. It can be political, but more so it is a temporary form of non-permanent public art.

Dauna Kennedy Grant is the Gallery’s Executive Director and says, “Yarn bombing not only changes the appearance of a location visually, but it also helps create awareness about the impact of public art in a community. Vernon is a vibrant arts community and this is just one small aspect of how we can stand out as a unique place." 

Friday’s event was organized by the Vernon Public Art Gallery, in partnership with Downtown Vernon Association and Gallery Vertigo Knitting Circle.   

BC Arts and Culture Week is a BC-wide celebration of all things art and culture. Hundreds of arts councils, communities and schools across the province will participate by presenting a range of events and activities from pop-up dance performances to art crawls, exhibitions, open mics and much more.

The arts and culture sector employs over 63,000 people in communities across BC, with a growth rate three times the provincial average. The film and television industry alone brings in $2.82 billion to the BC economy.