April 21, 2009
– Winning artists have been announced in three major City of Thunder Bay public art competitions. Significant public art projects will be produced by the selected artists for the exterior of City Hall, the Skateboard/BMX Plaza at Prince Arthur’s Landing, and the Vickers Street Bridge.
Thunder Bay artists John Books and Christopher Stones have been commissioned to produce a bronze, landscape-inspired relief sculpture for the north face of the newly-renovated City Hall. The foreground of the sculpture features three local tree species, while the Sleeping Giant is visible in the background.
The Vancouver team of Nancy Chew and Jacqueline Metz was selected to produce a large-scale, steel and wood sculpture titled “Vessel” for the Skateboard/BMX Plaza. Inspired by wooden ship forms, the sculpture will serve as a dramatic focal point while also providing seating in the vicinity of the Plaza.
Ingrid Koivukangas, of North Vancouver, has been commissioned to produce a series of twelve back-lit, cast glass wall installations, titled “Diatom Whisper: Alchemy,” for the Skateboard/BMX Plaza. Koivukangas’ imagery for this installation has been inspired by the microscopic algae, called diatoms, found in Lake Superior and other large bodies of water.
Local artist John Books also was chosen to produce a pair of bronze sculptures commemorating John and Catherine Vickers, prominent local settlers and entrepreneurs, for the Vickers Street Bridge. Depictions of two Celtic harps supporting portrait busts of the Vickers will be installed on the ends of the bridge.
Public art juries composed of representatives of the City’s Public Art Committee, artists and community art advocates, and representatives of the City departments directly involved in these commissions selected the winning proposals from a number of impressive finalist submissions.
The juries for the City Hall and Skateboard/BMX Plaza commissions extend their thanks to the community for their reactions and comments on the finalist’s proposal while they were displayed at the Thunder Bay Art Gallery and Downtown Artisan and Farmers Market. Over 300 public comment cards were reviewed as the juries made their final selections.
The winning artists have begun their work, with the final products anticipated to be installed beginning in June for the Skateboard/BMX Plaza and Vickers Street Bridge, and by the end of October for City Hall.
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Contact: Leah Bayly, Supervisor, Cultural Services, 625-2416
