HomeMy WebLinkAboutCSD-10-025 - Kingsdale Community Centre Public ArtREPORT
REPORT TO:
Community Services Committee
DATE OF MEETING:
April 26, 2010
SUBMITTED BY:
Mark Hildebrand, Director, Community Programs and
Services, ext. 2687
PREPARED BY:
Cheryl York, Arts/Culture Co-ordinator, ext. 3381
WARD(S) INVOLVED:
Ward 3
DATE OF REPORT: March 30, 2010
REPORT NO.: CSD-10-025
SUBJECT:
KINGSDALE COMMUNITY CENTRE PUBLIC ART
RECOMMENDATION:
That the commission and installation of a sculpture, as described in report CSD-10-025,
by Gordon Wright at the Kingsdale Community Centre be approved; and further,
That the Mayor and City Clerk be authorised to sign an agreement with Gordon Wright,
satisfactory to the City Solicitor, detailing the obligations of the public art commission.
BACKGROUND:
The City of Kitchener’s public art program places site-specific works of art at newly constructed
or renovated facilities at sites such as libraries, community centres, fire stations, parking
garages, and parks to which the public has access. These art works, to date, have been
permanent installations, in a wide variety of styles and materials with a preference for
innovation, responsiveness to the site and public engagement, as well as low-maintenance and
durability.
This project is eligible for public art through the City of Kitchener’s public art/percent for art
program. Through this mechanism, 1% of the construction cost is allocated for the acquisition of
public art. Objectives of the program are to support communities, culture and artists, to
represent a diverse community, and improve the quality of life for all citizens through:
The integration of public art in prominent public spaces and in the city’s neighbourhoods,
A fair and informed public art processes, and
Design standards that soar above the average in terms of quality and sustainability.
Kingsdale Community Centre will be under construction from May until December 2010. The
design consultant on the project is The Walter Fedy Partnership. The original A-frame shape of
the old arena building is being retained, featuring the use of wood in support beams and roof
interior. This converted building will serve the needs of a client base with a significant
proportion of new Canadians from many countries of the world. A call for design proposals was
advertised in the summer of 2009 with a deadline for submissions of September 2, 2009.
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REPORT:
Selection
The jury met on March 25, 2010 to consider eight submissions that were received by the
application deadline. Jurors were Stephen Gazzola, In Sun Kim, Kathleen Matharoo, Paul
Roorda, Lynda Stewart and Councillor John Gazzola. The jurors represented neighbourhood
stakeholders, the professional visual arts community and project partners.
Applicant Gordon Wright’s proposal was selected. Mr Wright is an experienced artist with many
public art commissions to his credit. He manages Architectural Glass Art in Glenn Williams,
Ontario.
Concept
This proposal is for a suspended glass sculpture in the foyer, close to the doors and windows.
The artwork will consist of between 40 – 50 mouth-blown glass roundels in a variety of colours,
each measuring approximately 50 cm (20 inches) in diameter. The sculpture is untitled at this
time.
The jury stated that this dynamic sculpture responds well to the high roofed interior space, and
that the diversity of the glass elements in the sculpture symbolizes the diversity of the Kingsdale
Community Centre users. The material used to fabricate the sculpture is low-maintenance and
durable. Suspended at a height, vandalism will be less likely. The sculpture may be visible from
outside the building, especially with purpose-designed lighting on it in the evening. The work
promises to be beautiful, to enhance the building and to delight the Kingsdale community.
Timeframe
The work is projected to be installed in the autumn of 2010.
Review of Jury Selection
The Public Art Working Group endorsed the jury’s selection on April 12, 2010 and forwarded it
to the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee. ACAC met on April 20; members supported the
selection and endorsed forwarding it to Committee and Council for approval.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS:
Consistent with the City’s Public Art Policy (I-816), the percent for art was calculated at $30,500.
The art commission is $28,000 with the remainder to be used for administration and installation.
COMMUNICATIONS:
The project is guided by public art principles that guarantee a fair and public process. An open
call for expressions of interest was advertised in print and electronic media. Ongoing co-
operation of staff from various departments and the participation of many people from our
community on the jury and advisory committees contribute to the communication standards of
the City’s public art projects.
ACKNOWLEDGED BY:
Pauline Houston, General Manager, Community Services
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