Celebrate Hamilton’s newest public art work “Raising the Barn” at the July Art Crawl

Hamilton, ON - July 6, 2017 - The public is invited to join artist Dave Hind, members of the Aluminum Quilting Society and City of Hamilton and Hamilton Farmers’ Market representatives to celebrate the installation of Hamilton’s newest  public art work “Raising the Barn”. The installation is located at York Boulevard in front of the Hamilton Farmers’ Market.

The celebration will take place Friday, July 14, 2017 at 5 pm at the Hamilton Farmers’ Market, 35 York Boulevard at the corner of MacNab Street. The event coincides with the monthly James Street North Art Crawl.

About the Art Work

The work consists of a 5.5 meter high barn-shaped metal frame. The frame is in-filled with reused pieces of aluminum siding and signage to create the image of a red barn facing the street and two figures planting a garden facing the sidewalk and market.

The title of the work serves a dual purpose: it is a work that literally raises a barn, an icon of rural Ontario, above the sidewalk, reminding the viewer of their connection to the rural landscape and agriculture. At the same time, it also evokes the idea of a traditional rural barn-raising in the way it was created. David Hind issued an open invitation to local artists and citizens to contribute to the work by creating small individual pieces in aluminum as part of the Aluminum Quilting Society. These were then incorporated into the large collage image that faces the market façade.

The art work was selected from 48 submissions by a volunteer jury of citizens, artists and project stakeholders. The selection was through the City of Hamilton’s public art process. The goal of the project was to “enhance the public space along York Boulevard in the vicinity of the Hamilton Farmers’ Market by installing a work of public art that identifies the location of the Market and express the spirit and qualities of the Hamilton Farmers’ Market to passing motorists and pedestrians.”

The jury noted that they felt this proposal best achieved the project goal and also noted that they “felt that this work will become a new downtown landmark: meet me under the red barn.”

Additional Information and Resources

• The artist was awarded $75,000 for the design, fabrication and delivery to the site of the proposed work.
• An additional $50,000 was budgeted for installation, the selection process and a contribution to an ongoing maintenance fund.
• The City defines public art as art created by artists, or in collaboration with artists, through a public process and existing on publicly owned and accessible property.
• Public art helps strengthen the city’s visual identity, stimulates the economy, and enhances tourism and community pride. Since 2010, the City’s public art program has received over 175 artist proposals, consulted with over 6,500 members of the public and awarded 18 public art commissions.
• For more information, visit www.hamilton.ca/publicart.