For the W(here) Festival, “a multi-site, performative event on the relationship between place and art in Pictou County, Nova Scotia,” curated by Mary MacDonald.
facilitated by Marlene Creates

This place-based, multi-vocal activity results in ephemeral, non-monumental public artworks highlighting participants’ appreciation of specific features or spots within a geographical area with which they’re familiar. The activity fosters awareness of significant natural and/or built features that have historical, social, ecological, cultural, or personal importance.

Award ribbons are usually given for sports, but these awards were created and given by residents to places in their community. This called attention to features of their locale not normally found on published maps or in tourist brochures, revealing layers of personal stories not represented in official histories.

In the examples included here, the participants (community members in Pictou County, Nova Scotia) gained new insights into the areas that were explored, and the awarded features gained visibility and value for the community.

http://wherefestival.wordpress.com/award-ribbons-for-places

Marlene Creates, 2022