Public Art Discussion Panel in Art Trax Gallery
Panelist:
Christof Migone – Director/Curator of Blackwood Gallery, University of Toronto
Helena Grdadolnik – Public Art Coordinator, Culture Division – City of Mississauga
Stephen Paul Fulton – Artist
Boran Hrelja – Principal, Demos Retail Consulting
Moderator:
Lori Ellis – Landscape Architect, City of Toronto – PF&R
Supported by: Art Trax Gallery
Pubic Art in Port Credit with speakers Christof Migone, Helena Grdadolnik, Stephen Fulton – co-hosted with Art Trax Gallery. Introduction include a visual presentation by Lori Ellis on public art samples. The following discussion covered different points of view starting with municipal strategies regarding cultural master plans in progress; educational approaches; discovering the potential to learn; and logistics beyond the individual act of art. A short survey of existing public art and potential sites in Port Credit was introduced.
We all share the vision of helping to create an even more delightful community, where quality living, working, and recreation opportunities would be something we are proud of. Strong identity, a unique urban experience and a rich cultural message of an exceptional destination can be communicated with the help of art.
How might we shape our community using art to define directions in Port Credit’s future development?
What art qualities do we have in our community and how important is art for us?
How can we integrate art in everyday activities to boost Port Credit’s potential as a destination, even world class place?
A public panel addressed different aspect of art in the community from education, business, professional and creative aspects. Art in public places or public art can be defined as art with a purpose. It is tantamount to understanding how the public – residents, visitors, employers and employees, etc. – relate to and use the city/village/community, particularly in the context of Boston’s own aspirations to be a world-class urban place. World-class cities are attractive because significance of place sets them apart. Mostly, they are known for their unique artistic and cultural attractions. Many cities have successfully used arts and culture as a vehicle and centerpiece for urban revitalization and pay special attention to neighbourhood identity through public art programs.
The Port Credit community has its own essence, which should be celebrated. Port Credit will be even more unique if commercial and civic development embraces artistic space and vision. Mutual interests and artistic talent bring the arts community together. Collectively, we serve hundreds of communities near and far. Building on the artists’ talent, we can create something that cannot be done anywhere else. If you want to see and experience something extraordinary you have to come here. Port Credit is designated as a tourist district and with public art enhancement could be a desired destination where much of its space is considered a feast for the senses.
The greatness of an urban environment as a world class destination is possible and settling for less should not be an option.
Great public art enhances, energizes and defines its surroundings, generating civic pride and creating a sense of place. Unlike any other investment, a typical public art project generates both tourism and community interest.
Public art creates goodwill and enhances the community image -two goals that local governments aim to achieve.
Public art is more than placing a sculpture on a site. Public art demands that works of art be context and site-specific with attention to audience, environmental conditions, cultural history, and urban or natural landscape. Public art and design elements that define public space enhance the aesthetic and visual quality of the community.
Could Public Art help us?
How we might shape our community using art to define directions in Port Credit future development?
What art qualities we have in our community and how important is art for us?
How we can integrate art in everyday activities in Port Credit to become destination attraction?
Helena
Art in public places or public art can be defined as art with a purpose. Many cities have successfully used arts and culture as a vehicle and centerpiece for urban revitalization and pay special attention to neighbourhood identity through public art programs. How we can apply those principles in Port Credit future development?
Port Credit is designated as touristic district and with the public art enhancement should be desired destination where every square inch of space can be a feast for the senses. How we can implement this direction in every new development? How Strategic Plan and the Cultural Master Plan can contribute to that process?
Christoff
Great public art enhances, energizes and defines its surroundings, generating civic pride and creating a sense of place. How we can educate public and what is role of art institutions? Unlike any other investment, a typical public art project generates both tourism and community interest. Where is common financial sense of using public art in creation of extraordinary communities?
Paul
Public art is more than placing a sculpture on a site. Public art demands that works of art be context and site-specific with attention to audience, environmental conditions, cultural history, and urban or natural landscape. Public art and design elements that define public space enhance the aesthetic and visual quality of the community. What is artist insight and experience in process of public art creation?
Boran
What is role of public art in our community, and how we can create even greater places where living working and enjoying would be something we are proud of? How we can create strong community identity with unique urban experience and reach cultural message of exceptional destination?
