Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 annual public sculpture award went to a first-time entrant who smoothed marble to form a scene straight out of Vancouver IslandB次元官网网址檚 boundless marine wilderness.

Daniel ClineB次元官网网址檚 Harmony Humpbacks, a sculpture of a mother humpback whale and her two calves, wowed the public, who gave the artwork the ArtsAlive PeopleB次元官网网址檚 Choice Award, a recognition that earns the piece a recommendation for purchase by the municipality.

B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 fantastic, itB次元官网网址檚 nice to get recognition,B次元官网网址� Cline said. B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e always had an affinity for marine life and to me, the marble and marine life go together really well.B次元官网网址�

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The Chemainus-based artist, whose work focuses heavily on wildlife, has been using marble to create a series of marine sculptures, including a large octopus. But the humpbacks are a species close to ClineB次元官网网址檚 heart.

B次元官网网址淭hey are super intelligent,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭hey speak another language. I hope to bring attention to these animalsB次元官网网址�they need as much attention as possible so they remain protected, it would be a huge loss to lose them.B次元官网网址�

In his 35 years of sculpture-making, Cline has always worked to source his materials locally. For Harmony Humpbacks, the artist used marble from Vancouver IslandB次元官网网址檚 Effingham Inlet, which can only be accessed by boat or float plane.

This was the first year Cline entered Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 public art competition.

B次元官网网址淪o now I have to put on my thinking cap for next year,B次元官网网址� he said with a laugh.

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Oak BayB次元官网网址檚 ArtsAlive public art program selects pieces to be erected outdoors for about a year, on temporary loan from the artists. Each year the municipality considers purchasing public art (to a maximum of $18,000) to become part of its permanent collection.

This yearB次元官网网址檚 second place winner was Winds of Time by Victoria artist Linda Lindsay. Third place went to Me and My Quiet Thoughts by Vancouver duo Mizzonk.

ArtsAlive is now accepting submissions for 2020/2021 with the theme of B次元官网网址楾ogether.B次元官网网址� Artists can submit proposals online at .