Avid musicians can look forward to the return of public painted pianos around Oak Bay in August.

Courtesy of Oak Bay Parks, Recreation and Culture, local residents will have access to colourful and well-maintained pianos in the seventh year of the districtB次元官网网址檚 pop-up piano project.

From early August to mid September, pianos will be available to play at Cattle Point, Turkey Head, Loon Bay Park, McNeill Bay and Willows Beach between 10 a.m. and dusk. The locations were recommended by Oak Bay councilB次元官网网址檚 public art advisory committee, according to arts and culture programmer Glenna Garramone from Oak Bay Parks, Recreation and Culture.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e really happy and in some ways relieved that the public health situation is such that theyB次元官网网址檙e welcoming of (this project),B次元官网网址� said Garramone, who is also a pianist and looks forward to using the pianos herself when not working.

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The pianos are painted by local artists and St. MichaelB次元官网网址檚 University School senior art students. The project is a component of district-run public art program ArtsAlive, which continues to operate on a reduced basis for 2021-22 due to COVID-19 public health restrictions.

Among sponsors of the project is Allison Piano, which has helped tune, transport and maintain the pianos installed by the district for the last six years, according to owner Keith Allison.

B次元官网网址淲e just try to keep them alive for the season,B次元官网网址� he said, noting the instruments are sometimes subject to unfavourable weather conditions and vandalism.

That said, having them out in the public spaces B次元官网网址渏ust raises the consciousness of people playing music wherever they have (a piano),B次元官网网址� Allison said.

Crack those knuckles and prepare to show off some seaside melodies in the weeks to come. To learn more about ArtsAlive and its activities, visit .

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