CITY OF SASKATOON ANNOUNCES NEW ARTWORKS FOR THE PLACEMAKER PROGRAM

The City of Saskatoon (City) is pleased to announce seven new public artworks to be displayed in Saskatoon as part of the Placemaker Public Art Program. Public consultation with residents suggested a desire for new public art locations and more diversity in materials and themes.  Following a recent call for proposals, the City received 25 submissions from artists all over the world, with the City’s Visual Arts Placement Jury selecting the following artworks of local and national artists:

• The Jam by Josh Jacobson (Saskatoon SK) – A site specific wall mural.  Aerosol Art.  Location:  Broadway Avenue. Long term.
• Dapplers by Les Potter and Alicia Popoff (Saskatoon SK) – Two painted steel and cement sculptures.  Location:  20th Street West. Long term.
• Der Volgelhändler by Mark Prier (Mississauga ON) – Two week long performance with busker organ / bird seed broadcaster.  Location:  Various locations throughout downtown. Short term.
• We Are All Linked by Monique Martin (Saskatoon SK) Interlocked clay hexagons covered in beeswax, installed in trees.  Location:  Various locations throughout Saskatoon. Medium term.
• Sweet Grass Sway by Heather Shillinglaw (Edmonton AB) – Sweetgrass images on feather shaped flags arranged in the infinity shape.  Location:  College Drive. Long term.
• Flourishing Perceptions by Adrian Bica with assistance from Dimitri Karopoulos and Sebastian Lubcynski (Markham ON) – Sculptural installation of a head, made of polystyrene panels mounted to a structural steel frame surrounded by plantings.  Location:  College Drive. Long term.
• Like a Rolling Stone – Be Part of Art by Heike Fink (Prud’homme SK) – Felted pebbles crafted during public workshops by the Saskatoon community, installed along the river bank Location:  River Landing. Short term.

Each of these new artworks will be installed at varying times throughout the months of June to December. Installation terms vary from long term (up to three years), medium term (a season) and short term (e.g.  two weeks or during an event). With each individual art installation, the public will have an opportunity to meet the artist (or team of artists) during talks about their respective art pieces.

The goal of the Placemaker Program is to enhance civic spaces within commercial districts through the placement of temporary public art. Public art refers to artwork that has been planned and executed in the public domain, in any media, that is outside and accessible to all. Artists are requested to respond to the sites and take into account the physical or historical contexts.

For more information on the new art installations and the Placemaker Program, please visit www.saskatoon.ca and look under “P” for Placemaker Program.
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