A community art project this summer could add to the city’s cultural landscape.
Barrie councillors gave initial approval Monday night to a motion that city staff in the recreation and culture services department collaborate with the public art committee and other city departments to investigate the potential to deliver a community art project in the summer of 2022.
Staff would report back to councillors regarding the requirements to deliver this project, such as costs and any resourcing, as well as potential sponsorship opportunities.
The project could be painting an art wall or a skateboard park on city property.
“At this time, there is no budget, location or theme identified,” Coun. Ann-Marie Kungl, who proposed the motion, said on Wednesday. “The intent is to action an exploratory discussion to see what may be possible with existing infrastructure and minimal expense, for additional art-related resident activities that could occur this year, and potentially be incorporated into city events like Culture Days and the use of existing infrastructure that may be appropriate to display artists’ work.”
Culture Days are a Canada-wide celebration designed to inspire public participation in arts and culture. It’s normally held during the fall in Barrie, September and October.
Kungl said Monday’s motion came from discussions with staff who mentioned that the city’s recreation program team had historically organized community activities to showcase resident artwork in proximity to the Queen’s Park skateboard park.
“There are several beautification efforts involving art that are occurring throughout the city,” she said, “and I am excited to soon share information specifically about an art installation that is being planned in a Ward 3 greenspace this spring.”
Coun. Robert Thomson, who sits on the public art committee, questioned whether it has the time or resources for a community art, noting on Monday night that there are public art projects in Wards 1 and 3, along with the downtown patio project and that three education workshops were just completed.
He considered asking that the motion be sent to the public art committee itself to see if the project is doable.
“That way we don’t get too far down the rabbit hole on something that we have to pull away from,” Thomson said.
But Deputy Mayor Barry Ward, who also sits on the public art committee, suggested the motion be passed and dealt with at the committee’s meeting next Tuesday (March 8).
“Maybe we don’t have time,” he said, “but I think we can get the answer pretty quickly.”
Thomson accepted that solution.
“The more public art we can get… I’m all on board,” he said. “I’m just trying to find a way that this great idea doesn’t get lost.”
The motion passed unanimously and will be considered for final approval at the March 7 city council meeting — the day before the public art committee is scheduled to meet.
