Peace Arch Sculpture Exhibition opens for 21st year

Sculptures on display at Peace Arch State Park. The 21st annual Peace Arch Park International Sculpture Exhibition features work by Shirley Erickson, Jean-Guy Dallaire, Mir and Serge Mozhnevsky. Photos by Oliver Lazenby

By Oliver Lazenby

The 21st annual Peace Arch Park International Sculpture Exhibition is on its way to Peace Arch State Park, with several sculptures installed already and more to come in the next month.

The exhibit, organized by the International Peace Arch Association, features work from both U.S. and B.C. artists including Shirley Erickson of Bellingham, Jean-Guy Dallaire of Vancouver, B.C., Serge Mozhnevsky from Coquitlam, B.C., and Mir from Marblemount.

The event’s 21-year run makes it unique, said Christina Winkler, president of the International Peace Arch Association. When it started, outdoor art wasn’t common, she said, and now there’s high demand for public art in downtowns and parks throughout North America. Still, Peace Arch State Park’s location is attractive for artists, she said.

“On an international boundary, the Peace Arch Park is one of the most amazing and beautiful spaces to display art on the West Coast,” Winkler said in an email.

The exhibit is free, but parking in the state park requires a Discover Pass. Day passes can be purchased at a kiosk in the parking area.

Once the exhibit is completely installed, brochures will be available in the park, according to Winkler. Sculptures are scattered throughout the park.