The Town of Collingwood is pleased to announce the installation of New Land, New Harvest, a new sculpture at den Bok Family Park, created by Olka Art Collective as part of the Town's Public Art.
Installed in September, the artwork was designed specifically for the park as a symbolic tribute to the den Bok family's migration story and their contribution to Collingwood's agricultural development. On Thursday, October 1, members of the den Bok family and the artists gathered at the park for a private photo opportunity to mark the occasion.
"New Land, New Harvest gives the community a place to reflect on the stories that shaped Collingwood," said Amanda Henry, Coordinator, Arts and Culture. "Through this work, Olka Art Collective has honoured the den Bok family's journey, along with the resilience, hard work and sense of belonging that so many newcomers have brought to our community. We're grateful to the family for sharing their story and to the artists for translating it so thoughtfully."
About the Artwork
New Land, New Harvest shares the artists' cultural perspectives alongside the story of the den Bok family, who arrived in Collingwood from Holland in 1949. After working for Smart Brothers Limited, the family purchased farmland along Poplar Sideroad, now home to den Bok Family Park within Summit View subdivision, where many descendants of the family still live. Their history reflects themes of migration, hard work, and putting down new roots.
Made of iron, the sculpture depicts a figure holding a rake and a bundle of wheat, reflecting labour, resilience, and the quiet work of establishing a new life. Hundreds of iron pieces are welded into a single form, and each fragment remains visible while together they create something new. This echoes how traditions, histories and experiences come together to shape a new home. Through this meeting of stories, the artwork honours how people carry memory from one place while building connection, identity, and belonging in another.
Community Arts & Culture - Public Art
Public Art is administered by Parks, Recreation, and Culture, and aims to enrich the lives of Collingwood residents and visitors by enhancing public spaces, fostering cultural identity and pride, promoting creativity, and encouraging dialogue among citizens.
Interested in learning more about the Town’s public art initiatives? Visit https://www.collingwood.ca/public-art