New street banners, featuring a coastal theme, are beginning to brighten the streets of Colwood.

Their purpose? To highlight the cityB次元官网网址檚 natural beauty while bringing new energy to the downtown area.

B次元官网网址淥ften, people drive through Colwood without knowing itB次元官网网址檚 a seaside community,B次元官网网址� said Sandra Russell, ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 communications manager. And itB次元官网网址檚 the cityB次元官网网址檚 picturesque waterfront they want visitors and those passing through to stop and notice, especially with iconic sites such as Fisgard Lighthouse, Hatley Castle and the Esquimalt Lagoon National Migratory Bird Sanctuary dotting the coastline.

The CityB次元官网网址檚 public works team began installing the banners along Wale Road on Tuesday, with other areas targeted for installation over the course of the next few weeks. Unfortunately, Russell noted, the banners can only be installed on City-owned light fixtures and not on hydro poles where street lighting is often placed. This means some areas of Sooke Road, where the City wanted to install banners, wonB次元官网网址檛 be getting the colourful addition.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e having to be selective where we can put these, but over time weB次元官网网址檒l expand,B次元官网网址� Russell said.

Four images are featured on the banners: Lighthouse by Kathy Cameron, Arbutus by Catharine Campbell, and Diana GrenkowB次元官网网址檚 The Starry Coast Line and Seaside Coffee.

The banners were created through a collaboration between the City, the Island Illustrators Society and the Coast Collective Art Centre. The featured images were selected from a new colouring book called A Colourful Coast. The book was conceived by the Coast Collective, who engaged the Society to help create recognizable coastal images that celebrate the areaB次元官网网址檚 picturesque and accessible coastline.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 been a great collaboration,B次元官网网址� Russell noted. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 really a celebration of art on the West Shore.B次元官网网址�

That sentiment was echoed by Cindy Moyer, Coast Collective executive director. B次元官网网址淚t was a lovely synchronicity,B次元官网网址� she said.

Moyer added the banners will be a welcome addition to ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渄owntownB次元官网网址� area. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 a good little spot, but it needs something to distinguish it,B次元官网网址� she said. B次元官网网址淭his will help a lot B次元官网网址� ItB次元官网网址檒l start to brighten up that corridor.B次元官网网址�

The City of Colwood wants to see photos of your interpretation of their new banners in a colouring contest that is open to all ages.

To enter, pick up a copy of A Colourful Coast at the Coast Collective Art Centre, 103-318 Wale Rd., or at Colwood City Hall, 3300 Wishart Rd. The book costs $15, with all proceeds from the sales going to the Island Illustrators Society and Coast Collective.

Once you have your book, colour your favourite image B次元官网网址� or images B次元官网网址� and take a photo of your work. Post the photo on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram with the hashtag #ColwoodColourfulCoast to enter.

Participants will be eligible to win a one-night stay in an oTENTik at Fort Rodd Hill, courtesy of Fort Rodd Hill and Fisgard Lighthouse National Historic Sites, and many other great prizes.

Winners will be drawn on Sept. 15.

katie@goldstreamgazette.com