WAG Public Art

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."

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. 

(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. 

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."

Artist Statement: "Is there anything more representative of Woodstock than the Dairy Cow? This cow looks super friendly — just like all Woodstonians!"

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."

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!"

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."