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The City of Orillia adopted its first Art in Public Places Policy 1.12.6.1 in 2010 to recognize and promote the value of arts and culture through the integration of artwork into public views. The objective of the policy is to establish a standard and transparent for the acquisition, consultation, selection, site selection, maintenance, deaccession, monitoring and evaluation of purchased and/or donated works of art for display in public places.
In 2018, City Council passed a resolution authorizing the Orillia Museum of Art & History to manage the City's public art program under the direction of the Manager of Culture and an Art in Public Places Committee.
The Committee advises Council on donations and public calls for artwork originating with Council, the Committee, City staff or members at large. This page is dedicated to the work they are involved in. To stay informed, sign-up for page updates.
| Public Art Survey Now Open - NEW |
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Have your say on the future vision for public art in Orillia Residents are invited to share their vision to help shape the future of public art in Orillia. The City of Orillia Art in Public Places Committee is undertaking a public consultation process to draft a Public Art Plan for the City. The plan will contain a vision and goals for public art in Orillia and help inform both temporary and permanent art installations moving forward. Orillia residents are encouraged to participate in an online survey to help inform the plan. “We want to know what is important to the residents of Orillia,” said Cathy Phillips, Chair of the Art in Public Places Committee. “Responses to our brief survey will help the Committee to better understand the role of public art, specifically where, how and what kinds of public art can impact the quality of life in Orillia.” The survey will be available until 4 p.m. on June 7, 2021. Paper copies are also available for curbside pickup at the Orillia Museum of Art & History by calling 705-326-2159 or emailing visitors@orilliamuseum.org.
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| CALL TO ARTISTS - 2021 SYOTP Animation Program |
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Calling all local artists and businesses in Orillia! Applications are now open to participate in this summer’s 2021 See You on the Patio Animation Program. As part of this summer’s See You on the Patio program, the City of Orillia is looking to match local artists and businesses for an expanded City-wide animation program. The animation program is scheduled to begin in July, subject to COVID-19 Provincial Guidelines and safety measures at that time. Both artists and venues are encouraged to apply by May 28, 2021. Details are available at orillia.ca/patio |
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Call to Artists - J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park Butterfly Garden - CLOSED |
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Papillio Planta by Robert Doan The piece, entitled “Papillio Planta” by Robert Doan, was installed in J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park Habitat Garden following an open Call to Artists in 2020 by the City of Orillia and Art in Public Places Committee and endorsed by Council on October 26, 2020. The Call challenged local artist to create a dynamic piece of artwork that captures the essence of the pollinator garden. Doan’s proposal was selected for the strength and compelling nature of the literal and figurative imagery within the design. Inspired by the Call to Artists to create his own plant for the garden, the artist brings together six butterflies in flight to form a bloom. Similar to a real plant, Doan gave the piece a Latin botanical name: Papillio, meaning butterfly, and Planta, meaning plant. It stands approximately 7ft tall in the garden and is made of cold rolled steel. The material was chosen as it will weather over time to produce the natural orange-brown patina that will help it blend into its natural surroundings.
THE ARTIST: Robert Doan is a local sculptor who has combined his education and skill as a welder, jeweller, and visual artist to create compelling works of art for private and public commissions. He works with metal to create custom decorative pieces for commercial enterprises and residential properties. He has done work for Hawk Ridge Golf & Country Club, the CIBC in Mississauga, and Protea Health Centre in Barrie. Doan studied Material art & Design at the Ontario College of Art and Design and graduated from the welding course at Humber College. He also studied Jewellery and Metals at Georgian College - Barrie Campus and was awarded medals of academic and studio excellence. Mr. Doan taught welding at Georgian College when the Orillia Campus first opened in the 1980s.
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| Call to Artists - Inspired: The Road to Gold - CLOSED |
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Local artist, Craig Mainprize, was commissioned by the City of Orillia and the 2020 OWG Games Organizing Committee to create a lasting impression mural for the 2020 Ontario Winter Games. Nine artists from throughout the province answered the call to create an 8’ X 12’ mural that encapsulates the theme, ‘Inspired: The Road to Gold.’ “Craig’s unique style, bold colours and simplistic designs captured the imagination of the jury,” said Jacqueline Soczka, Manager of Culture and a member of the Games Organizing Committee. That, combined with his passion for sport resulted in his selection. |
| Call to Artists - Orillia Recreation Centre Gallery Space - closed |
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As part of the new Orillia Recreation Centre, the City of Orillia has included a free gallery space for artists to display their work. The theme for its inaugural exhibit is ‘From Foundry to Future’, which challenged artists to explore the site’s evolution from an industrial centre to state-of-the-art sport and recreation facility in their work. This call is now closed. Submissions will be reviewed by jury, with information on selected pieces posted here as it becomes available.
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In 2019, the piano at Moose Beach in J.B. Tudhope Memorial Park was painted by local artist, Jessica. Jessica is a young emerging artist pursuing a degree in Museum and Gallery Studies. She has a passion for public art, research and culture and spends much of her time during the summer on the waters of Lake Couchiching. In her spare time, Jessica enjoys cooking, hiking and gardening. Her painting is heavily influenced by nature and her desire to educate others. This vibrant piece is inspired by pop art, dance, local history and summer scenery.
The Piano at the Orillia Waterfront Centre was, by Toronto-based Korean muralist, Jieun June Kim. Below is a collage of what she refers to as her best nine projects of 2018.
She is also the artist selected to create the City's vibrant waterfront banners in 2019.
Visit www.jieunjunekim.com for more on this exciting up and coming artist. |
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Call to Artists - 2019 Waterfront Banners - closed |
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In 2019, the City of Orillia put out a call to artists to create five renderings, one for each of the five chosen themes. Prospective artists were tasked with submitting one design sample to the City. The samples were adjudicated by a panel of jurors organized by the Orillia Public Art Committee. There were five artists in total that submitted samples. The five themes depicted on the waterfront banners were:
Jieun's bold and colourful interpretation of Orillia's cultural heritage won her the commission. Jieun is a Toronto-based artist who has exhibited paintings around the world since 2010. She immigrated to Canada in 2017 and is the co-founder of KJ Bit Collective, a group that creates murals and street art events. In 2018, Jieun was the recipient of the Newcomer and Refugee Artist Mentorship grant from Toronto Arts Council.
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| PUBLIC ART PROJECTS |
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Do you have a public art project you would like to bring to life? We encourage you to contact staff before completing our Public Art Proposal Checklist to ensure we have all of the necessary information to assess your proposal. Jacqueline Surette, Manager of Culture. Ph: 705-325-4530; Email: jsurette@orillia.ca Public Art projects are subject to the City of Orillia’s Art in Public Places Policy 1.12.6.1. and require a written proposal prior to being forwarded to Council for approval. |
