The City of Hamilton is seeking public comments on Artwork Proposals to Wrap Electrical Boxes in Downtown Hamilton

HAMILTON, ON - The public is invited to review and provide comments on six (6) shortlisted artists’ proposals for a series of artworks to wrap electrical boxes in Downtown Hamilton, on or before Sun. Aug. 11 2019, by visiting www.hamilton.ca/ElectricalBoxPublicArt, or in person at the Tourism Visitor Centre at 28 James St. N. Monday to Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm.

A volunteer citizen jury has shortlisted artists based on their response to the project goal and themes, appropriateness for Downtown Hamilton, artistic excellence, technical feasibility and ability to deter graffiti. Each shortlisted artist was paid a $500 honorarium to create a series of five (5) artworks for consideration. Before the jury meets to select the winning series, they would like to review public opinion of the shortlisted proposals.

“This project provides the opportunity to transform a series of utilitarian street infrastructure, often a target for graffiti tagging, into site specific artworks that will celebrate and enrich their sites.”

Ken Coit, Manager, Placemaking, Public Art and Projects

The winning artist will be awarded $4,000 for their design series if their work is selected and installed. The City will have the artwork printed on graffiti-resistant wraps and installed on five (5) Electrical Boxes in the Downtown Hamilton. Installation is planned for late this summer.

Project Theme

Artists were asked to propose artwork for the Downtown Hamilton Community Improvement Area (DHCIPA) that is vibrant, positive and reflective of Hamilton’s downtown while addressing one or more of the following:

• Hamilton Through the Ages
• Hamilton Stories
• Hamilton Communities / Street Life

Quick Facts

This project is funded up to 90K by contributions to the Downtown Hamilton Public Art Reserve from downtown developers.
Deadline for online comments is Sun. Aug. 11, 2019

• Winning artists teams will be awarded $4,000 for their series of five artworks.
• The artworks will be installed on electrical boxes near the corners of York Blvd and Park St., King and Mary Sts., King and Ferguson Sts., Hunter and James Sts., and Hunter and John Sts.
• Artwork wrapping up to 32 smaller traffic signal boxes at intersections across Downtown Hamilton is being selected through a separate public art project.
• 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 474 artist proposals, consulted with over 6,250 members of the public and awarded 19 public art commissions.

Resources

• www.hamilton.ca/ElectricalBoxPublicArt
• [email protected], 905-546-2424 ext. 6281
• Digital images of the art works are available upon request