HISTORY OF THE VANCOUVER BIENNALE
In 1998, Buschlen Mowatt Galleries developed an initiative with the Vancouver Parks Board to bring leading names in international sculpture to Vancouver for a summer long exhibition on a bi-annual basis. For four months along a one-mile stretch of beach in English Bay the inaugural Project, called "Open Spaces" featured the works of such acclaimed artists as Nicki de St. Phalle (France), Lynn Chadwick (England), Ferdinand Botero (Colombia) and Joel Shapiro (USA). Over 7 million viewers experienced this unprecedented display of major public art resulting in excellent public feedback to the Vancouver Parks Board and Buschlen Mowatt. The second project took place in 2000 expanding the number of participants. Interest and support for the project grew and attracted the support of the Federal Government, the City of Vancouver and sponsorsOpen Spaces 2005/2007 was the inaugural Biennale for International Sculpture in Vancouver. For a period of 18 months, the communities of Vancouver and its visitors were invited to participate and interact in a community wide program of special events generated through the strategic placement of 22 major International public art pieces along the walkways, waterfront parks, pathways and major public spaces of Vancouver. These sculptures were accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and were contextualized in an awareness program of school programs, public contests, lectures and publicity events. The inaugural project boasted the participation of some of the world's most celebrated contemporary sculptors from 11 countries.
