City of Whitehorse Acquires 25 Local Artworks

    “Heartfelt congratulations to all 16 artists whose work will be displayed at City facilities for all to enjoy for decades to come, On behalf of City Council, we are so proud of our Public Art Policy, which gives us the opportunity to feature incredible artworks from our community." Mayor Dan Curtis.

    Several local artists will have their artworks featured by the City of Whitehorse for years to come. A jury comprised of art professionals and local artists has selected the purchase of 25 artworks to be displayed in City of Whitehorse facilities. The decision follows the release of the City’s largest ever Request for Proposal (RFP) for public artwork, which was open from September 2019 to October 2020.

    “Heartfelt congratulations to all 16 artists whose work will be displayed at City facilities for all to enjoy for decades to come, On behalf of City Council, we are so proud of our Public Art Policy, which gives us the opportunity to feature incredible artworks from our community. This art will add so much to the vibrancy of our city, and it comes at a time when we really need to support our diverse and extremely gifted local artists.” Mayor Dan Curtis.

    Artists whose work was selected:

    • Anthony DeLorenzo (photography)
    • David Martin (glass and copper sculpture)
    • Donald Watt and Jeanine Baker (cement and stained glass mosaic sculpture)
    • Emma Barr (mural)
    • Erin Dixon (mural)
    • Jane Isakson (acrylic paintings)
    • Jesse Devost (mixed media painting)
    • Jim Robb (watercolour painting)
    • Joshua Lesage (marble sculpture)
    • Ken Anderson (metal sculpture)
    • Lillian Loponen (acrylic painting)
    • Marty Samis (photography)
    • Nathalie Parenteau (mural)
    • Peter Mather (photography)
    • Violet Gatensby (vinyl wraps)

    Sixty-seven submissions were received through the process. The City’s Public Art Policy states that one per cent of a new building’s capital construction budget for City-owned public buildings and facilities shall be designated for public artwork.

    The City’s total budget for the acquisition of commissioned art from the new Operations Building project is of $429,357.

    Thank you to the members of the art selection jury for providing their impartial expertise and opinion:

    • Mary Bradshaw
    • Rebecca Manias
    • Colin Teramura
    • Suzanne Paleczny
    • Heather Callaghan

    And thank you to Laurel Parry, who acted as an advisor to the process, for her invaluable guidance.

    The pieces will be installed at various City facilities and locations in 2021. More information about the artists and their artworks will be available on Whitehorse.ca later this year.

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