A handful of playful foxes are the top choice for those who perused the annual sculpture walk in Oak Bay this year.
As part of its Arts Alive program, Oak Bay Parks, Recreation and Culture installs sculptures – sponsored by individuals and businesses and on loan by the artists – across the community. Each year, art enthusiasts vote for their favourite, also putting it in front of Oak Bay council as a potential purchase.
The winner of the 2023 People’s Choice award is In-Den-Tation created by artist Scott Gillies and standing on the corner of Oak Bay and Monterey avenues.
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The statue is a whimsical work that explores this year’s theme, What is Home?, encouraging viewers to peek within a fox’s den.
“In this depiction of home, a family of foxes enjoys a sunny afternoon at the mouth of their den,” Gillies said in a news release. “By anthropomorphizing animal’s homes, it might help us to have more empathy for them and encourage us to do a better job of sharing the world with them.”
Horaltic Pose – Cormorant by Erick James and Shelter by Peter Vogelaar were runners-up in the votes collected between August and November 2023. The sculptures will remain on display outdoors in the community until April. Maps of the sites are available at Oak Bay recreation centres and on the Arts Alive webpage.
The map encourages residents to explore the district to view the sculptures, which are available for private purchase.
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The district is now on the hunt for next year’s sculptures on the theme Beyond the Surface.
Artists are invited to submit proposals for works in various media. New sponsors are welcome to support the Arts Alive program first created by Barbara Adams, Oak Bay’s former arts laureate. The program includes painted pianos on display throughout Oak Bay during summer.
Maps, artist application information and sponsorship details are available online at oakbay.ca.
Making of In-den-tation