District of Oak Bay News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: January 23, 2025

A Whale’s Tail Wins the People’s Choice – Arts Alive 2024

Oak Bay, B.C. – Sunsmith Design’s Megaptera (Humpback Whale), sponsored by the Oak Bay Marine Group, made a splash in the community this year winning hearts and capturing the vote for the 2024 Arts Alive People’s Choice.

Megaptera is a 72-inch-tall mild steel work created by Nathan Smith and his sons, Cyrus (age 17) and Sabian (age 14). Inspired by this year’s theme, the grand sculpture invites viewers to go “Beyond the Surface” to play with concepts of perception and what lies beyond their vision.

The tail has a structural armature made of pipe and solid bar with a skin made of a patchwork of steel plate. This gives the piece its unique texture and overall mechanical/industrial aesthetic.

Runners up were Harmony Unveiled created by Tarcila Neves, sponsored by Oak Bay Pharmasave, and Fine created by Lisa Huth, sponsored by Prestige Picture Framing Etcetera and Barclay’s Fine Jewellers.

A volunteer committee of community leaders, artists, and residents chose the People’s Choice winner from these three top ranking nominees receiving the greatest number of online votes. Over seven hundred people cast votes in 2024, between July and November.

You can visit Megaptera (Humpback Whale) at Haynes Park, along Beach Drive at Beresford Place, until April 2025. You can see more of Nathan Smith’s artwork on his website, sunsmithdesign.com. Visit the Oak Bay Recreation Centres to pick up a copy of the Public Art map.

Oak Bay is currently accepting proposals for sculptural works of art for the Arts Alive 2025/2026 exhibition. Information and applications are available online.

Arts Alive, now in its ninth year, has showcased 82 works by local, regional, and internationally acclaimed artists. 13 of the exhibition’s past sculptures are now part of the permanent art collection.

Barbara Adams, Oak Bay’s Former Arts Laureate, is the visionary behind the Arts Alive program, which includes this annual program, as well as the painted pianos which are on display in the community throughout the summer. -30-

For media inquiries, call:

Matt Williams
Communications Coordinator
mwilliams@oakbay.ca
250-208-6468

Winner of the 2024 Arts Alive People’s Choice, Sunsmith Design’s Megaptera (Humpback Whale)

Oak Bay’s 2024 Arts Alive public art program is made possible by donations and sponsorships from the following local businesses and individuals