Arts Travel: Art Banners Flutter on the Boulevard

People who travel up Confederation Boulevard in Ottawa will find artistic representations of Canada fluttering alongside. Thirteen festive banners, one for each of the country’s 10 provinces and three territories and each celebrating the work of a local artist, line the route.

The National Capital Commission began the banner program in Ottawa in 1992, to commemorate the country’s 125th birthday. Every year since, the banners have flown along the official ceremonial route in the capital during the summer months. Most recently, the banners have commemorated the 400th anniversary of Quebec City, the Vancouver Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games, and the Canadian Navy centennial. This year, in collaboration with the Canada Council Art Bank, each banner showcases the work of a different Canadian artist, designed to evoke the scenery and sense of place of the each geographic region.

For more information about Ottawa and its celebrations, go to www.canadascapital.gc.ca.