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Artists sought for city‘s 1 150th anniversary projects he City of Waterloo has I extended its submis sion deadline for proâ€" posals trom Canadian artists who are interested in helpâ€" ing to commemorate the city‘s 150th anniversary next Iwo publicâ€"art projects are planned, which will be added to the city‘s list of 10 pieces that are currently on display throughout the city. The two commissions â€" one worth $100,000 and the other worth $80,000 â€" are meant to be a lasting legacy for future citizens of Waterâ€" loo, as well as a reminder of this city‘s 150 years of histoâ€" ry. said Betty Recchia, the city‘s manager of cultural development. "We have 10 major projâ€" ects planned for the 150th anniversary celebration, with one being the publicâ€" art â€"commissions," she explained. The city has advertised the two commission opporâ€" tunities in the Chronicle, as well as the Toronto Globe and Mail in hopes of garnerâ€" ing interest from artists nationwide. Artists are invited to subâ€" mit letters of interest in designing and building works of art for these projâ€" ects. Those who apply will be assessed by a jury for their experience in creating largeâ€" scale artwork in public spaces. The deadline to apply is this Friday. Recchia said successful proposals will be: images that reflect the community values. sensibility and aesâ€" thetic of the people of Waterloo; exciting and innoâ€" vative iconic refgrences that attract and resonate with people in public places; hisâ€" torically accurate and authentically reflective of Waterloo‘s history; conâ€" By Asorea Bartey Chromicle Staft Betty Recchia (left), the City of Waterlao‘s manager of cultural development, and Anne Chafe, curator of the city‘s heritage collection, stand with a portrait of Waterloo‘s first mayor, Moses Springer. The portrait will be part of an exhibit honouring Waterloo‘s 150th anniverâ€" sary in 2007. structed of sturdy materials _ city‘s proposed uptown civic it will still be just as much of to ensure minimal mainteâ€" _ square. a celebration of our city‘s nance and long life; and However, she said, if city _ history." installed safely and with the _ council opts not to approve Anne Chafe, curator of longâ€"term safety and securiâ€" _ the civic square, a new locaâ€" _ the city‘s heritage collection, ty of the public in mind. tion will be selected for the _ said project organizers hope I : o e dnc eb ds "This is not about paintâ€" ing on a small canvas; it‘s about large artwork for large spaces," she said. Though it‘s premature to comment on the proposals the city‘s seen, Recchia said she‘s intrigued by some of the concepts that have been presented so far. "In talking to some of the artists, the conversations are just bubbling over with ideas," she said. Some of the fdeas have involved pieces made from steel, wood, marble, granite; even performance art has made the list of options. Recchia said the city hopes to make its two selecâ€" tions in early 2007, and that both will be installed six to eight months later. She shared that the $100,000 commission will hopefully complement the ARTS FOCUS However, she said, if city council opts not to approve the civic square, a new locaâ€" tion will be selected for the artwork. "If that project is approved, the artist will work at the same time as the designer of the public square," Recchia explained. "That way the (art) will look right, like it belongs there. \"Whether the artwork is in the ,Public square or not, The City of Waterloo is looking for citizens with objects, photographs or memorabilia that repreâ€" sent Waterloo over the last 150 years. Help tell Waterloo‘s story City staff would like to borrow the items and disâ€" play them as part of an exhibit â€" dedicated _ to Waterloo‘s 150th anniverâ€" sary, which will run next Anne Chafe, curator of the city‘s heritage collection, said project organizers hope the artwork successfully melds the city‘s history with its future. "We want the artists to think about the past, but interpret it in an artistic way," she said. "We want {art) to be reflective of Waterloo‘s idenâ€" tity." February through April at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery. "We‘re looking for things that help tell Waterâ€" loo‘s story," said Anne Chafe, curator of the city‘s heritage collection. Those willing to loan items to the 150th anniversary exhibit can call Chafe at 885â€"8828. Girls strike back this week Theatre & Company presents The Boy‘s Own Jedi Handbook Part I: The Girls Strike Back, by Stephen Massicotte, as the first play of its 17th season and the first play of its new Imagination Series for families. The show runs from July 13 to Aug. 6 at the King Street Theatre Centre in downtown Kitchener. Matt White, born and raised in Kâ€"W, will be repris ing his role as James, who relives the adventures of Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back with his friend, The Kid, played by Noraâ€"nominated actor Blair Keyser. However, girls Kerry and Mandy, played by Brianne Tucker and Sarah Henriques, soon want to join in the fun. The boys have to decide if it‘s time to leave their games behind to follow the girls. Direction will be done again by Linda Bush, who directed the popular Valentine‘s play Ten Times Two and the Christmas hit The Boy‘s Own Jedi Handbook, both from the previous season. In keeping with the Star Wars theme, this Sunday will be a special performance where audience memâ€" bers can dress up as their favourite sciâ€"fi character for the show. There will be door prizes, special guests and photo opportunities available for the whole famâ€" ily. Tickets for this show will be $15. Theatre & Company‘s children‘s summer camp will also be tied in to the Star Wars theme. The chilâ€" dren will undertake fun activities, including performâ€" ing scenes from the play. The weekâ€"long sessions began Monday. For more information about the play, the sciâ€"fi performance, summer camp, or to book tickets, call 571â€"0928 or visit www.theatreandcompany.org. The Waterloo Entertainment Centre will present the threeâ€"part Great Canadians Series featuring three of Canada‘s most dazzling vocalists, soprano Isabel Bayrakdarian, soprano Sally Dibblee and baritone Russell Braun. The season opens Nov. 23 with Bayrakarian, the 2006 Juno Award Winner for the "Classical Album of the Year" who is gaining international prominence for her electrifying stage presence and captivating voice. Dibblee, a wellâ€"established artist who has perâ€" formed on countless concert hall stages throughout North America, performs on Jan. 10, 2007. Dibblee has been acclaimed by Vancouver critics for her "foating high pianissimos" and "tender, rapâ€" turous, and pure" singing. son en o neuos Thrilling, glorious, and elegant are just a few words that have been used to describe baritone Braun, who returns to the Waterloo Entertainment Centre on March 28. 2007. The Great Canadians Series will be presented in the intimate setting of the newly renovated Waterloo Entertainment Centre at 24 King St. N.. in uptown Waterloo. Each performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Subscription tickets are now available by calling the ho« atfice at 5T8â€"883â€"0300 or onlime at Subscription tickets are now a the box office at 519â€"883â€"03 www waterlooentertainmentcentre Great Canadians series