Public Art
On November 30, 2009, Council approved a Public Art Policy for Collingwood. The Arts and Culture Advisory Committee, with other municipal departments and staff are working on Public Art Standards and a Public Art Plan to identify opportunities and sites for future public art; assessing the artistic merit of projects, administering calls to artists and mandating qualified juries.
In August and September, 2009, the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee organized the restoration of 4 Collingwood murals. Busy Wagons by John Hood, Heading Dockside by Beverley Smith, and Ski Train by Richard Gill were restored by Perkinsfield, Ontario artist Ruth Hurdle. Blue Mountain artist Steve Cohen repaired the framework of the Our Community mural. Please scroll down for our photo log of the process.
"It is a great testament to the Town of Collingwood that they are taking serious steps to maintain the legacy created by the Millennium Murals. The original investment of creativity is enhanced by the restoration project. This sets an excellent standard for all communities that use mural art as a form of public expression." - Karin Eaton, Executive Director Mural Routes.
"These murals are the Town of Collingwood's first Public Art Project and the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee recognizes and understands the need for ongoing maintenance to restore the murals to their original condition. We are the stewards of Collingwood's public art and as such will ensure their continued enjoyment by residents and visitors alike for many years to come." - Penny Skelton, Vice Chair, Arts and Culture Advisory Committee.
OUR COMMUNITY by Barb MacLeod, Janie Cooper-Wilson, Bill Hartman, Wilhelmina Wildman, Gordon Kemp, Shirley Farmer and community artists
BUSY WAGONS by John Hood
Pre-Restoration
Paint worn and chipped along the bottom. Cracking of paint.
Paint completely worn away. Chips and damage to panel above door.
Day 1 - Monday, August 10, 2009
Ruth, Ken and Gilbert set up. Ruth washing each panel.
Brightened panel after washing.
Day 2 - Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Primer is applied to areas requiring touch-ups.
Panel ready for paint. Panel above door restored.
Primer is applied to gentlemen. Undercoat is applied.
Day 3 - Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Touch-ups. Gentlemen restored.
Colour layering to the little girl.
Day 4 - Thursday, August 13, 2009
Panel restored. Little girl restored.
Undercoat applied to horse's hoof. Horse restored.
Final touches to wagon wheel. Busy Wagons Restored!
SKI TRAIN by Richard Gill
Pre-Restoration
Ceramic pieces damaged and some removed due to wearing and loosening of glue.
Chipping and cracking on horses and train engine.
Day 1 - Friday, August 14, 2009
Mural is washed and previously removed ceramic pieces are re-attached.
Day 2 - Thursday, August 21, 2009
Touch-ups to damaged ceramic edges. Rear of horse touched-up.
Crack in engine repaired and re-painted. Chips around horse's collar no longer visible.
Restoration complete.
HEADING DOCKSIDE by Beverley Smith
Pre-Restoration
General wear to Mural edges and corners. Dust and dirt and some fading due to elements.
Screw holes in panels.
Damage to panel corners. Worn vent cover.
Rust stains produced by screws. Wearing of panel edges.
Day 1 - Monday, August 17, 2009
Mural washed, primer applied to screw heads and worn or damaged areas of the Mural.
Srew holes filled and primed.
Rust stains cleaned and primed. Vent covers primed.
Panel edges sealed.
Day 2 - Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Ruth works on a scissor lift to reach the upper panels of the Mural.
In one long day, Ruth cleans, completes touch-ups and seals the highest panels.
Day 3 - Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Shipyard Worker restored.
Working across, the next section of panels are restored and sealed.
Worn edges are repaired.
Vent integrated into the Mural.
Day 4 - Thursday, August 20, 2009
Back on solid ground, Ruth completes restoration on lower portion of Mural panels.
Heading Dockside restored and sealed.
For more information about the mural restoration project or the Public Art Policy, contact Tanya Mazza, Coordinator, Arts & Culture at (705) 445-7450 ext 234 or tmazza@collingwood.ca
