By Marla O害羞草研究所橞rien

When Canada害羞草研究所檚 sesquicentennial was approaching, members of the Lake Country Art Gallery and the Lake Country Public Art Commission took the opportunity to ask 害羞草研究所渨hat should we do in our community to commemorate the country害羞草研究所檚 150th?害羞草研究所�

A sculpture symposium culminating in the creation of a new public art work had been on their wish list for many years, and thanks to support from the Central Okanagan Foundation害羞草研究所檚 Canada 150 grants, their vision is becoming a reality.

害羞草研究所淲e put out a call for artists to create something that was both interactive and relevant to Canada害羞草研究所檚 past, present, and future,害羞草研究所� said Gallery Chair Sharon McCoubrey. 害羞草研究所淲hile celebrating the 150th implies past, we encouraged artists to consider our future and the winning proposal does that with a unique twist.害羞草研究所�

The call for submissions went out in February 2017 and 20 proposals were received from around the world. With funding from the Public Art Commission and $13,000 from the Central Okanagan Foundation (COF), the total budget for the project was $50,000.

害羞草研究所淐reation of public art is a very specialized skill and there are very few public artists in the world,害羞草研究所� explained Petrina McNeill, Manager of Lake Country害羞草研究所檚 Art Gallery. 害羞草研究所淢any don害羞草研究所檛 realize the factors involved, including site preparation, materials, and engineering required to ensure the structure is durable and safe.害羞草研究所�

The successful submission came from artist Karl Ciesluk from Ottawa, known for public creations in Turkey, Egypt and Ireland. His vision is to craft a multi-yielding fruit tree using modern materials such as metal and coloured plexiglass, tying to the area害羞草研究所檚 past and current agriculture industry.

害羞草研究所淭he tree canopy will have coloured glass fruits embedded in its branches so the sun will shine through to seating below,害羞草研究所� McCoubrey shared. 害羞草研究所淭he futuristic twist involves robotic arms reaching down that reference the potential mechanization of fruit gathering.害羞草研究所�

Ciesluk participated in Canada Day activities where an event was held to unveil and discuss the vision for the piece, set to be located where Main Street and Berry Road converge this fall. The artist is using local materials and fabricators so the majority of funds stay in the community.

害羞草研究所淥ften when public artworks are discussed, the issue of price emerges and can raise eyebrows. Yet they become beloved pieces that many visit and an identifier of that locality,害羞草研究所� McNeill explained.

The COF was excited to help fund this project as it fits their mandate to support community-based informative and creative work.