There's a new man in town that promises to feed the dog, watch your bike and never complain. He's strong as steel and dependable in all sorts of situations. He's a bike rack and his name is Geeves.
The Downtown Business Improvement Association (BIA) has installed a contingent of Geeves bike racks to serve the downtown core as part of a public art project. Squamish based artist and Geeves creator, Cellaigh Pyrce couldn't be happier.
"Geeves is a bike butler so to speak. Who better to look after your bike than a Geeves with his water bowl for dogs and pocket to put soil and flowers," said Pyrce.
Pryce was asked by the BIA to design something family friendly that didn't feature the usual lumberjack and eagle look that is overplayed on the West Coast. So Pyrce came up with Geeves.
"We wanted to introduce public art to the downtown core and the bike racks are cool because they are a functional," said Eric Armour, BIA board member. "This is just the beginning of public art. We are going to paint the streets red and gold."
Geeves is just one of many creations found at Pyrce's workshop. From funky chairs to bike racks, Pyrce's work is like a glimpse into another world.
"I like to build things out of metal in artistic way," Pyrce said. "I have always been interested in art and drawing. When I was younger, I kept bugging my parents for a welder."
Pyrce's request for a welder in the basement was denied for fire risk reasons but his desire to work with metal never flickered.
"My girlfriend bought me a welder for Christmas one year. I don't have the girlfriend anymore but I still have the welder so things worked out in the end," Pyrce said.
After getting a welder, Pyrce started to roam the streets looking for scrap metal to practice his art. After years of practice, creations like the Geeves bike rack was born.
"I am hoping the new Geeves bike racks will inspire families to get on their bikes," Pyrce said. "I think public art is great because imagination is an important part of living."
Pyrce said he takes his inspiration from the young at heart. He said kids have the best imaginations.
"In many ways I am a fun loving kid with an overactive imagination. I think that's why all my girlfriends leave me because they say I act like a kid," Pyrce said.
The Geeves bike racks are part of a larger BIA fleet. Former Squamish resident Nycki Samuels has created a bike rack series that includes a chopper, penny-farthing and two unicycles. The next phase is expected to be installed next month.
"I think public art is important because it shows that the community takes pride in our town,' Armour said. "We have a great vibrant arts community that's so under the radar."
For more information on Pyrce's creations or to order your own Geeves-like creation, contact Pyrce at [email protected].
New website launched
The BIA is getting web savvy with the launch of a brand new website showcasing the vibrant downtown core.
The new website, www.downtownsquamish.com features an online business directory and an opportunity to sign up for an online newsletters. With the launch of the new website, Cinci Csere, BIA executive director, said the goal is to generate online buzz to raise the profile of the downtown.
The Downtown Squamish Business Improvement Association was established in 2006 and is a formally structured business zone modeled on successful BIAs throughout North America. The BIA mandate is to stimulate and promote the downtown neighbourhood as a vibrant hub of the community.
