As summer kicks into gear, the City of Lethbridge has launched the next phase of its public engagement to update the City’s Public Art Master Plan.
Community Arts and Culture Manager Jillian Bracken says the City’s public art program was established in 2009, and the first Public Art Master Plan was written in 2012. “Now, 13 years later, it’s time for public engagements to update this plan. We look to the public for ideas and inspiration to help guide the future of public art in Lethbridge.”
“Our first phase of public engagement was in April, where we did a series of idea labs with the community. Now, we’re launching a public survey, a community toolkit and a series of artist-led activations,” Bracken adds.
According to Bracken, the City is very excited for the artist-led engagements, which involve a set of five local artists, who will be leading activations in July and August.
“These activations range from public walking tours to bike tours to events around Indigenous social dancing – all happening as part of larger events, including the Canada Day celebrations at Henderson Lake Park, Whoop-Up Days in August and Foodie Fest in Galt Gardens,” Bracken notes.
Public art is a central part of what makes Lethbridge special, says Bracken. “It’s a key identity of the community. The public component of public art is such a big part of it. We strive to install artwork that is engaging, interactive, and people can access it in everyday life. Having the public engaged to provide feedback on the future of public art, ideas for locations and types of public art they’d like to see is important.”
Bracken believes the City has seen growth in the program with more diverse types of installations happening. “An increased focus on engagement with local artists, as well. Through some of our mural programs and our utility box wrapping programs.”
In the same way the city has grown in the past 10-plus years, there’s been growth in the program, adds Bracken. “Trying to engage with more artists, different communities and install artwork across different parts of the city, expanding beyond where the program started with the focus on the downtown. We now have installations on the northside, on the westside and try to provide opportunities for as much of the public as possible to engage with public art.”
Local artist Daniel J. Perryman is one of the artists chosen to lead a community engagement activity.
“I’ll be doing a guided Walk and Talk with the public to gain their insights and perspectives on public art,” notes Perryman, whose background is in the theatre. “I do have favourite pieces around the city, and I’ve been trying to learn more about it, especially being a part of this project.”
The survey and community toolkit can be found here.
