City of Hamilton seeking public comments on Century Street Parkette Public Art Competition

HAMILTON, ON – The City of Hamilton is seeking public comments through Sunday, August 22, 2021, on five short-listed artist proposals for a permanent Public Artwork to be installed in Century Street Parkette at the corner of Wentworth and Wilson Streets. The new Public Artwork will be a landmark that expresses the character of this area to those visiting the parkette and passing on Wentworth and Wilson Streets.

A jury of volunteer citizens, stakeholders and artists reviewed 40 artist and artist-led team’s submissions and short-listed five proposals. Artists were asked to propose art works that address the following goal: That the proposed Public Art work(s) be an inclusive work that may be a functional or interactive piece(s) that reflect the proud local history and human stories of the Gibson and Landsdale Area (GALA) neighbourhood.

Comments collected will be provided to a citizen jury to be considered among other criteria such as artistic excellence, response to context, project themes, and technical issues in their determination of the winning proposal. Comments and a Jury Report outlining the reasons for their decision will be posted to the project webpage.

One artist or artist-led team will be awarded $120,000 if their proposal is selected for the fabrication of their work. The proposals can be viewed, and comments submitted online at: www.hamilton.ca/CenturyStreetParketteArt

Quick Facts

• Deadline to submit online comments is Sunday, August 22, 2021.
• 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 655 artist proposals, consulted with over 9,300 members of the public, and awarded 54 public art commissions

“I encourage all residents to submit their comments on the new Public Artwork to be installed right in the heart of Ward 3. Art is not a mirror held up to reflect society but a hammer with which to shape it, a quote by Bertolt Brecht that always comes ringing back through public art for me. This artwork will serve as the final touch at the Century Street parkette which has undergone a beautiful transformation. I look forward to celebrating the winning artist or artist-led team chosen from the five short-listed artist proposals.”

- Nrinder Nann, Ward 3 Councillor

“We would like to thank the artists for their unique proposals for the parkette. These proposals will be inspiring and thought provoking to the citizens of Ward 3 and the City at large.  The opinions of citizens play an essential role in selecting a work of public art that will be embraced by the community and contribute to improving public spaces.”

- Carrie Brooks-Joiner, Director, Tourism and Culture

Additional Resources

• City of Hamilton Public Art
• www.hamilton.ca/CenturyStreetParketteArt