The Public Works Director here has given an Elora BIA committee a new direction for bringing art to the village.
Resa Lent, pinch hitting for Business Improvement Area president Marty Van Vliet, came to council on Nov. 15 and said there are some changes in the sculpture project in Elora.
The BIA has $3,000 in its budget for sculptures and had planned to place them in various locations in the downtown. The locations, such as the one at the former Petro Can gas station were approved by council earlier in the year.
However, Lent told council that Public Works Director Ken Elder had offered a different suggestion, and the committee working on the project liked it.
Instead of a permanent sculpture on each spot, Elder suggested having a competition each year, and different pieces be placed in the five locations that have fixed cement pads to hold them.
Lent said the idea was wholly supported by the committee.
“Possible locations for new sculptures have been showed to Ken Elder and discussed with [Recreation Director] Andy Goldie, the report to council stated.
It added that if council approves, the sites will be selected in the spring, and the call for artists will go out this month.
The committee has a plan ti proceed with the project.
The call for applications will run from November until January, with the winners selected in February.
The project will offer an open field, with anyone able to apply for one of the spaces.
The guidelines include:
– weather resistant materials;
– must not be dangerous;
– the size for most sites is seven feet high, four feet wide, and two feet deep; and
– the size may differ in large gardens such as the one across from the civic centre near Shoppers Drug Mart.
The mounting plaque will include the artist’s name, the medium, origin, price, and contact information.
The final disposal of the statues could be a possible auction or sale event during the annual Studio Tour or Sensational Elora.
The display time would be April 1 to Oct. 30.
The sculpture committee will decide on a group of finalists. Council will determine suitability for public display of the works, and Public Works will consider the safety aspects.
An installation committee will be the liaison between the artists and Public Works.
Lent concluded, “We’re really excited about this pro-posal.”
Lent also thanked council for its help over the past four years. She particularly lauded councillor Kirk McElwain, who has been the council liaison for the group for his extra efforts.
Council received the BIA report for information.
