News release from the City of Barrie
The City of Barrie is inviting expressions of interest from professional artists or artist teams to design and create an exterior public artwork for the plaza at the future Allandale Transit Mobility Hub.
The proposed artwork should reflect the qualities and characteristics of the Allandale neighbourhood. The City completed a public survey in February 2023 to understand our community’s preferences when considering public art at the project site. Feedback from this survey included that artwork might:
- Include a functional aspect for the transit plaza.
- Reflect the historical references of the Allandale neighbourhood which may include but is not limited to railway heritage and Indigenous history.
- Be visible from areas surrounding the transit plaza including Essa Road, the multi-use path, and the internal public waiting area.
- Be compatible with and complement the design of the new Allandale Transit Mobility Hub.
- Activate and create vibrancy in public space.
- Engage residents and visitors while at the site.
- Foster civic pride and placemaking.
This is a two-stage process: in Stage One, applicants will be reviewed based on artistic merit of past work, professional qualifications, and experience. In Stage Two, short-listed artists will be required to submit a preliminary artwork concept proposal for jury review and will be compensated $1,500 for this work.
The proposed site for the Allandale Transit Mobility Hub is in Barrie’s Allandale neighbourhood, centrally located approximately 1.5 km south of the downtown near Kempenfelt Bay. Allandale has served as a transportation hub for settlers in the area for hundreds of years. It was developed as a rail yard, camp, and junction between railways. For over 50 years up until 2000 the site was used by the former Barrie Lawn Bowling Club. Prior to the establishment of Allandale, the area was largely uninhabited by Euro Canadians and served as a trail route for Indigenous Peoples.
Banner image supplied -City of Barrie
Expressions of interest must be submitted by Monday, July 31, 2023. View details at barrie.ca/PublicArt.
