WAG Public Art
Public art holds the power to tell our stories, celebrate our history, commemorate important events, provide unique attractions for citizens and visitors, as well as create spaces for engagement and the fostering of civic pride.
In 2017 the City of Woodstock introduced a Public Art Policy outlining the process and procedure for the selection, installation and maintenance of public art in/on municipally owned public space.
As part of the City's Culture Department, the Woodstock Art Gallery plays a critical role in fostering the City’s public art collection.
Public Art Application Guide
The Woodstock Art Gallery has developed a Public Art Application Guide to help artists understand the process of applying for a public art opportunity in the City of Woodstock.
The guide covers topics including calls to artists, the selection committee and process, budget, taxes, design development, materials and fabrication, subcontracting, permits, insurances, maintenance and conservation.
Current Projects
Bruce Flowers Sculpture Garden Commission
Artist and educator (Robert) Bruce Flowers passed away on Sept. 10, 2018, and left the residual of his estate to the Woodstock Art Gallery with the provision that the funds be used “for the purpose of establishing an outside figurative sculpture garden.”
On Aug. 12, 2021, Woodstock City Council approved the renaming of the west side of Vansittart Park (at Ingersoll Ave) to Florence Carlyle Park, with a portion of the park designated as the Bruce Flowers Sculpture Garden. On Sept. 12, 2021, the Woodstock Art Gallery launched the City of Woodstock’s first public art commission with a call for qualifications. The shortlisted artists from this call were David Bobier, Nicholas Crombach, Simon Frank and Patrick Thibert.
Nicholas Crombach’s proposal, Wind Vane, was selected by the public art committee following a review by city staff and consultation with the community. The sculpture was installed on Nov. 15, 2023.
Wind Vane Sculpture Proposal |
Artist Statement: "My intent for the Bruce Flowers Sculpture Garden commission is to connect park visitors with local history and heritage, through the use of dramatic and familiar imagery, as well as to prompt them to reflect on our past, present and future relationship to technology and the environment. The proposed sculpture entitled Wind Vane, takes the form of a large arch with a youth perched on top, engaged in the difficult task of positioning a weathervane. The sculpture makes direct reference to Woodstock's rich agricultural heritage, and affirms our fundamental dependence on the earth and its systems — from the weather and soil, to the plants and organisms, to the farmers who work the land and the larger community sustained by them."
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About Nicholas Crombach |
Nicholas Crombach is an artist working in Kingston, Ont. He is the recipient of numerous grants and awards including the Elizabeth Greenshields Foundation Award. Crombach has presented solo exhibitions in various cities in Canada, as well as in London, and Berlin. He has completed public art commissions in Kingston, Niagara Falls and Woodstock. Crombach's work is represented in private and public collections including the Woodstock Art Gallery, the City of Kingston Civic Collection and the City of Ottawa Art Collection. He has participated in several residencies including the Studios at The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA) in North Adams, Massachusetts in 2022. Crombach has received support from public agencies including the Canada Council for the Arts, the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council. |
About Bruce Flowers |
(Robert) Bruce Flowers was born and educated in Woodstock, Ont. He graduated with an Honors BA in Fine Arts from the University of Guelph in 1970 and earned his teaching accreditation at the University of Western Ontario in London, Ont. After teaching for 10 years with the Oxford Board of Education, he pursued his dream of sculpting, taking his Master of Fine Art (MFA) in New York at the Pratt Institute between 1982 and 1984. He returned to teaching visual arts with the Thames Valley Board of Education in 1986 and retired in 2002 to pursue his sculpting full time. Flowers was part of a number of exhibitions at the Woodstock Art Gallery and was a passionate and inspirational art educator in Woodstock for decades. He was also one of the founding committee members of the one of the longest-running Pride events in North America, the Pride London Festival Art Exhibition, established in 1992. |
Woodstock Art Cycle
In 2022, the Woodstock Art Gallery announced an open call to residents of Woodstock to submit a design for a bike rack. Five finalists were selected by a jury following feedback from the public: Adele Figliomeni, Heidi Fotsch, Nicole Major, Filomena McMahon and Claudia Silva Prates.
The bike racks were fabricated and generously donated by Maglin Site Furniture. A total of 50 bike racks with 10 of each design will be installed at locations throughout the city including parks, recreation and culture facilities, Woodstock Public Library and City Hall.
Finalists
Adele Figliomeni |
Artist Statement: "I wanted to incorporate numerous cultural elements within Woodstock — Library, Theatre, Art, Music, Dance, Sports, Casino and Cowapolooza, incorporating them all into one cohesive unity. It is our culture as a whole that makes Woodstock a special place." |
Heidi Fotsch |
Artist Statement: "Is there anything more representative of Woodstock than the Dairy Cow? This cow looks super friendly — just like all Woodstonians!" |
Nicole Major |
Artists Statement: "My inspiration came from walking and biking the trails in Woodstock. We are not separate from our environment. There is so much that can be learned and felt if we could just slow down and notice. I think bringing art outdoors encourages taking that time to stop and look. Whether it's a frog hoping across your path, a blue heron fishing for breakfast or a friendly smile from a stranger. It's a way of teaching future generations that beauty can be found in unexpected places." |
Filomena McMahon |
Artists Statement: "Having grown up in Woodstock, when I think of the city I am reminded of it being the Dairy Capital. From the annual Dairy Capital Run to the statue of the Snow Countess, a cow was the first thing to come to mind when trying to represent our city. I added a cool spin-off to our 'mascot,' by adding the shades and the fun ear tag!" |
Claudia Silva Prates |
Artist Statement: "At home we have three bicycles. We love cycling around Woodstock, exploring the trails and the breathtaking trees we find along the way." |
Florence Carlyle Sculpture Commission
May 2, 2023, marked the 100th anniversary of the death of artist Florence Carlyle. The intent of this project is to create a public artwork to recognize Carlyle's importance not only to Woodstock but to the development of Canadian art.
The call for expressions of interest and qualifications for the project closed on Sept. 6, 2023. The applications will be reviewed by a selection committee, which will recommend a shortlist of artists who will be invited to develop an artwork proposal. The shortlist will be announced in the coming months.
This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada.