The green space outside of City Hall will be home to a new piece of public art once the installation of the abstract sculpture donated to the City of Airdrie by the Alberta University of the Arts has been completed.
“In Airdrie, we don’t have a tremendous amount of [public art], but it’s great that this is starting to become a part of who we are,” Mayor Peter Brown said. “It’s all about community health, and you don’t even recognize all the pieces and what plays into that. It gets people thinking creatively and it opens up your mind and your thoughts to different things.”
According to a report presented to council at a regular meeting July 2, the location was determined by the Art Placement Committee (APC) – a group comprised of community members and City of Airdrie staff who provided background information, technical expertise and facilitated discussions.
The committee included two members of the Community Services Advisory Board, one Airdrie student and a representative from the university, which donated the untitled sculpture. According to administration’s report, the president of the Airdrie Regional Arts Society was invited but unable to participate.
The group evaluated 11 sites on City-owned land throughout Airdrie, looking at criteria like visibility, lighting, surveillance and the location’s potential to become a gathering space within the community. Potential options included Chinook Winds Park, Nose Creek Park and the Bayside Commercial Area; however, APC’s consensus was that City Hall would fulfill the outlined criteria “in the most meaningful way.”
“Honestly, we’re starting to see more people gathering in front of City Hall,” Brown said. “Over time, this is going to become kind of a town centre hub, I believe.”
The piece will be installed on the green space southwest of the current public art piece, “Centennial Sphere.” According to administration’s report, the City will work with a structural engineer for the installation, to ensure the artwork can be easily removed should Airdrie Main Street Square have other future development plans.
Site preparation is currently underway, and installation will take place in August and September before the piece is officially unveiled during the Alberta Culture Days celebration.
“I’m looking forward to seeing it once it’s placed,” said Coun. Candice Kolson in a motion to accept administration’s presentation for information, which was carried unanimously.
Brown added he feels this piece will be the first of “hopefully, many” works of public art residents can look forward to seeing throughout Airdrie, and said he is grateful to the university for its contribution to the community.
