The village of Queen Charlotte may be turning its utility boxes into seascapes with an application for funds for an artist-in-residence project.Chief administrative officer Bill Beamish submitted the application to the January 2011 Gwaii Trust arts program intake. He's hoping that a Sunshine Coast based artist, Jan Poynter, can come to the islands to work with local youth on a public art project. The purpose, he told council at the Jan. 17 meeting, is to paint the green utility boxes that are found throughout the village. Ms Poynter has done similar work on the Sunshine Coast, turning utility boxes into seascapes including log booms, birds and intertidal life. Mr. Beamish said the artist will demonstrate her technique on one box and explain the preparation and planning that goes into creating a painting for a box shape. The idea is that local artists will be able to do this work after Ms Poynter has gone. The application was for $2,160 in Gwaii Trust funds, which includes travel costs for the artist. The village would contribute funds for paint and advertising and Mr. Beamish would provide in-kind accommodation and a vehicle for the artist.