August 31, 2016 - Two new sculptures were unveiled today by the City of Thunder Bay on the Algoma Street curb extensions between Bay Street and Cornwall Avenue. The curb extensions have been being transformed into displays of Public Art with the addition of two pedestrian-scale bronze sculptures titled Wild Life by Hamilton-based artist Brandon Vickerd.

"It is a priority of the City's Public Art Committee to commission works of functional public art. The sculptures increase visibility of the curb extensions while integrating art into our daily lives." said Daniel Hansen, Chair - Public Art Committee. "The addition of public art will undoubtedly enhance the cultural vibrancy of the Bay & Algoma neighbourhood."

Designs for the sculptures were selected through an open competition administered by the City's Public Art Program in 2015. The competition was developed to mark the presence of the curb extensions, which were built in 2012 as a means to control the speed of vehicles in the pedestrian-friendly area. The $120,000 beautification project was administered by the City's Public Art Committee and Recreation & Culture Division and funded by the Clean, Green & Beautiful Committee Emerging Projects Fund. 

Wild Life invites a thoughtful reflection on our relationship to nature and challenges viewers' perceptions by making a seemingly mundane scene extraordinary. At a distance, the sculptures appear to represent human figures, but upon closer inspection, the figures reveal themselves to be composed of animals working together to appear human. The animals represent species native to the Thunder Bay area such as deer, black bears, squirrels, coyotes, and birds.

The artwork can be viewed on the two west side curb extensions on Algoma Street South between Bay Street and Cornwall Avenue.

For more information, visit www.thunderbay.ca/publicart

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Contact: Leah Bayly, Manager - Cultural Development & Events, 625-2416, lbayly@thunderbay.ca

 

Fact Sheet:

Algoma Street Public Art

Title:   Wild Life
Artist:   Brandon Vickerd
Dimensions:
Standing sculpture - 1.9m high x .6m wide x .5m deep
Seated sculpture - 1.4m high x .6m wide x .8m deep
Material:  Bronze
Location:  Curb extensions on west-side of Algoma Street South between Bay Street and Cornwall
Avenue

Sculptures - Wild Life
Wild Life is the most recent addition to the City of Thunder Bay's Public Art collection, a set of two pedestrian-scale bronze sculptures by Hamilton-based artist Brandon Vickerd. One sculpture is featured standing, while the other is seated on a bench. 

At a distance, the sculptures appear to represent human figures. Upon closer inspection, the figures reveal themselves to be composed of deer, coyotes, grey squirrels, chipmunks, birds, a beaver, a raccoon, and a black bear working together to appear human. The animals represent species native to the Thunder Bay area.

Artist Statement
"Humorously referencing cartoon clichés, these sculptures invite a thoughtful reflection on our relationship to nature. Wild Life challenges viewers' perceptions by making a seemingly mundane scene extraordinary: your average loiterer in jeans and an overcoat morphing into a conglomeration of animals that is both shocking and intriguing." Brandon Vickerd
Planter and Bollard Paintings
Flower planters and bollards on the Algoma Street curb extensions were painted by Definitely Superior Art Gallery's youth art collectives in early June 2016. Die Active Art Collective collaborated with Neechee Studio to create paintings that reference the area's Finnish and Oji-Cree heritage. The two cultures are represented through a fusion of traditional Finnish textile patterning and beadwork motifs.

The following artists participated: Sarah Mason, Lora Northway, Jean Marshall, boyRoland, Lucille Atlookan, Matilda Suganaqueb, Cynthia Edwards, Eli Castellan, Julia Di Paolo, and Rill Rill.

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Budget and Funding
The Clean, Green and Beautiful Committee allocates funding towards initiatives that enhance the image of the City in accordance with the objectives of the City's Clean, Green & Beautiful Policy.  These often include public art as a component of beautification.

The overall budget for curb extension beautification was $120,000, which includes all aspects of the creation and installation of the sculptures and painting on existing planters and bollards on the street, such as: artist fees, equipment, materials, insurance, structural engineering, foundations and anchoring systems, site preparation, fabrication, delivery, and installation.

How Public Art is Chosen
1. An open invitation is extended to artists to express their interest in creating artwork for a specific location.
2. A jury led by the City of Thunder Bay's Public Art Committee reviews the submissions received and selects up to three finalists.
3. Finalists develop detailed proposals of their artwork, including 3D models.
4. The jury reviews the detailed proposals using criteria such as artistic merit, compliance to requirements, feasibility, and community input to make their final selection.

Why is Public Art Important?
It is the policy of The Corporation of the City of Thunder Bay to value Public Art as a vital component of culture that visually articulates and celebrates our area's heritage, evolving community identity, and hopes for the future; and beautifies the City. 

What is the City's Role?
The City of Thunder Bay owns a permanent collection of over 400 works of art ranging from paintings and ceramics to large outdoor sculptures. This collection traces the history of the City from before the incorporation of the former cities of Port Arthur and Fort William, to the present City of Thunder Bay.
The City of Thunder Bay supports local artists in a variety of ways, including:
"¢ Grants for art organizations and individual artists
"¢ Exhibition opportunities at civic spaces and events
"¢ Purchase of finished works of art
"¢ Commission of works of art for specific locations and purposes
"¢ Capacity building workshops and activities

The City of Thunder Bay Public Art Program is managed by the Recreation & Culture Division, Cultural Development & Events Section with advice from the Public Art Committee. This committee includes corporate, artist organizational and community representatives.