The next round of the Guelph Arts Council's HATCH pop-up art space program will see two unused bus shelters in St. George's Square used by artists to display their work.
The Guelph Arts Council is currently seeking applicants for the program, which will see art installed in four separate underused public downtown spaces from April 15 to May 4.
Program coordinator Melissa Gobeil said using a public shelter as art space should bring forth some great ideas.
"It should be really interesting and spark some really creative ideas," said Gobeil.
"We're very interested in interactive work and pieces that respond to the space," Gobeil said. "We want the public to be surprised and to interact with their urban surroundings in a new way."
Artists from Guelph and beyond apply with a specific location in mind but can list other locations as alternative choices.
"They propose a project for the parameters of the space," she said.
A jury will sit down and chose the winning applications on March 20, which is the deadline for applications.
Gobeil said in addition to the two bus shelters, a commercial unit in Old Quebec Street will be used for a not-for-profit art installation and 10 Carden Street's front window is also being used.
Last year saw two rounds of the HATCH program, one in late summer and one in the fall. Spaces utilized for those included the old Budd's store window, the former Guelph Jewellers and the bottom floor of Market Commons on Gordon Street.
Last year's first round of HATCH saw 20 artists apply for three spots.
Artists are compensated for travel and installation expenses, but not to commission a new work.
HATCH is a project that partners the Guelph Arts Council, City of Guelph, Downtown Renewal and the Downtown Guelph Business Association.
More information and an application form can be found here.
