NEWS RELEASE
CITY OF BARRIE
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Seven businesses in Barrie’s downtown now have temporary art installations displayed on their patio fencing as part of the Brightening Barriers public art project, which paired local and regional artists with business owners.
“This project sees businesses’ patio fencing — representing ‘barriers’ — reimagined as a canvas to display regional and local art,” notes Stephannie Schlichter, Director, Economic and Creative Development. “One of the goals of the project is to create a vibrant atmosphere that will attract residents and visitors to downtown Barrie and our beautiful new streetscape.”
The participating downtown patios are:
- The North, displaying Line Up by Amy Bagshaw
- Homestead Bakery, displaying Arcadia Redux by Sadko Hadzihasanovic
- 147, displaying Plates by Barrie's PRNT Collective members; Katie Argyle, Tamara Benoit, Kim Brett, Jennie Clark, Tim Laurin and Clinton Todd
- Bayside Variety, displaying Long and Winding Road by Derek Martin
- Groovy Tuesdays, displaying How it Rolls at the Pond by Rod Prouse
- North Country, displaying The Land Between Rama and Barrie I & II by The Birdbath Collaboration
- Kenzington Burger Bar, displaying It’s A Dog’s Life by Christina Luck
Residents and visitors are encouraged to safely explore downtown Barrie’s new streetscape and support local businesses, while appreciating the original works of art created by local and regional artists. The art is on display until Nov. 30, 2021.
This project was organized by the Barrie Public Art Committee, a working group whose mandate is to enhance Barrie by acquiring public art that inspires and connects the community in public spaces. Enhancing civic pride through public art, preservation of historic buildings, and programming of public spaces is also identified as one of the key themes in Barrie’s new Official Plan.
The project was funded primarily by the Government of Canada's Healthy Communities Initiative and supported by the Barrie Community Foundation. Artists were compensated for their work.
To learn more about artworks on display as part of this project, visit “Brightening Barriers” here.
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