A huge decorative lantern that has spent weeks in front of the Vancouver Art Gallery has been stolen.
Eight lanterns are now just seven following an early morning theft on Monday (Feb. 26), according to organizers of The Lantern City.
The Lantern City art project was part of this year's Lunar New Year's celebrations and was installed on Feb. 9 at šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énk Square. It was due to be taken down on Feb. 28.
The stolen lantern, called My Family III, was created by Richard Hunt, a celebrated Kwakwaka'wakw artist from Alert Bay whose work can be seen around Vancouver and B.C., including a major piece at the Vancouver International Airport.
Organizers say they've contacted the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) about the theft and are now appealing to the public for help finding the piece of art.
"Anyone with information about the whereabouts of Hunt’s My Family III is asked to contact Vancouver police," they state in a press release.
