Huntsville council at its July 27 general committee meeting asked staff to come up with a public process to install art at Kent Park.
“I’m definitely supportive of having some art installation in Kent Park that is really worthy,” said Deputy Mayor Nancy Alcock. “I know that there have been lots of criticisms around what we’ve created in Kent Park, and for a number of reasons, but I think what the park does lend itself to is this open space,” she said, adding that she’s noticed that people are actually using it. “People are sitting in the chairs and people are leaning against the rocks and it is a place that eventually will be seen as a gathering spot,” she said.
In terms of what sort of art might best suit Ket Park, Alcock said: “I’m not suggesting that we do another recreation of Tom Thomson but as we all know, Tom Thomson in Civic Square is one of the most popular spots for people taking pictures…” Alcock said she’d like to see something equally as iconic at Kent Park. She said it should be a decision made with public input regarding what type of art and where it should go.
Alcock also said she’d like to see the installation created by a local artist or group and it should be iconic. “I would prefer that we stay away from things that you can immediately see elsewhere,” she said, referencing as an example a giant Muskoka chair. “This has to be iconic, it has to represent who we are as a community… those would be a couple of criteria I think is important.”
Councillor Jonathan Wiebe agreed but also said he’d like to open it up to the public, almost like a contest. “We should invite artists from Muskoka to pitch an idea for something that’s probably metal or indestructible that could go there and maybe have the public decide… some real public engagement and have a bit of a sort of playoff on who gets the final vote,” he said, adding that the majority would win, rather than council making a decision and hoping it goes over well. “Let’s really make it a true public engagement process and I think we’d end up with something really spectacular there.”
Committee concurred.
Huntsville Mayor Karin Terziano said $100,000 was raised for the Tom Tomson bronze life-like sculpture created by the late Brend Wainman Goulet in Civic Square. She said a public process for choosing the art is a good idea and “may be a way to help raise funds for the new art in Kent Park.”
Staff will report back to general committee with a process based on directions from council.
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Jamie Lockwood says
I just want to ask. Despite myself – a lifelong resident – having brought up the idea of finally having a worthy place for Captain Hunt to be acknowledged at the park ( close by to his former home), why doesnt anybody on Huntsvilles Town council have the same thought? How can it be completely over looked? Never talked about? Believe me when I say I am not the only local who raised an eyebrow when the statue in front of Huntsvilles town hall on Huntsvilles Main Street , wasn’t Mr Hunt? How about throwing the poor man a pity bone and maybe just have a picture of him? Perhaps a wee bit of history about him ? I have enjoyed the writings of people from here who love our history. Mr John’s. My own father . To some extent I have written some as well. I’ll say it again, if we don’t remember and acknowledge the past, it’s forgotten. Yes Mr Hunt had his faults but the same couldn’t be said for the man who sits in front of OUR town hall? Not looking for an argument . Just curious why if we can honor a good man and our best athlete ever ( just my biased opinion ) Jack Biondas name on an arena , can’t we at least acknowledge our founding father with at least an 8 × 10? Maybe glossy? And I still ask why – if the talk of staff taking in umbrellas at night- why can’t they take in historical photos , some literature at night? When I travel, I like learning the history of said destination.
Maybe it’s just me.
Mary Rashleigh says
Several years ago, a group of well-quallified people including the late Brenda Wainman Goulet worked on a public art policy for the Town of Huntsville. Where is this policy? Why isn’t the Town looking at it?
Suzann Greenaway says
Public art committee might –
Think about having an ongoing competition for a piece for that location??? IE??? One winner each year – it would make for fresh conversations with each installation & spread the opportunity around.
Tamara de la Vega says
Hi Mary, municipal staff will use that policy probably along with some other form of community input as well.
John Oliver says
What about a 15 foot high bronze sculpture of a maple tree? In case we forget what they look like.