Split vote OKs seniors’ centre art purchase
Council has approved a public art purchase for the rebuilt Veiner seniors’ centre weeks after it cancelled a community garden for the location and a similar art purchase for the Canalta Centre.
Council voted 5-3 to accept a public committee’s recommendation to install “Prairie Shoots,” a metal sculpture depicting new blades of grass at the North Flats location.
That however, came only after two councillors argued the $100,000 project was too great an expense considering the city’s financial situation and another disagreed that a local artist wasn’t selected.
Others however, argued the money was budgeted and if rejected, it would be the second time in a month council had asked a public art committee to select art, only to cancel the project.
“If this goes down, and I was sitting on that committee, I’d have to question why,” said Coun. Julie Friesen.
“We’re inconsistent. The commitment has been made, the work’s been done, and the budget’s in place.”
That was in response to Coun. Darren Hirsch, who argued the buy should be halted, but revisited in the future.
“It’s not the right time, and I’m more than willing to look at it when we’re on better financial footing,” he said. “This is a cherry on top of the sundae, but we still have the sundae.”
Coun. Brian Varga also said the cost was too great.
Coun. Phil Turnbull said he liked the project and supported art, but would vote against because the policy didn’t single out local artists.
Couns. Robert Dumanowksi, Jim Turner, Friesen and Mayor Ted Clugston voted in favour, as did Coun. Kris Samraj.
Samraj had led a council movement to turn down the purchase of two granite bison statutes that would have cost $28,000 — the remainder of an art budget that comprises 1 per cent of a new building’s budget up to $100,000.
In that case however, an event centre steering committee sidestepped the process by commissioning local artist James Marshall to create and install a mural as part of the construction process.
“My objection (then) was about process,” Samraj stated. “In this case the process worked very well.”
Friesen reiterated her stance that if council wants to debate the public art policy, that should take place apart from particular projects.
The public art committee selected the work, by Lethbridge artist Andy Davies, through a competitive bid process that was then juried by the group of local residents with a connection to the arts.
The installed, polished metal tubes that represent a bunch of plant growth will be placed opposite the new front entrance of the location. It should be in place when the construction at the location is complete this summer.