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New Westminster's public art: icons or eyesores?

Public art: icon or eyesore? That’s the question that will be up for debate at the next Urban Challenges Forum presented by Douglas College, Simon Fraser University and the City of New Westminster.
WOW Westminster
Icon or eyesore? This is the WOW Westminster sculpture at Westminster Pier Park. Public art is up for discussion at a forum at Douglas College.

Public art: icon or eyesore?

That’s the question that will be up for debate at the next Urban Challenges Forum presented by Douglas College, Simon Fraser University and the City of New Westminster.

Everyone is invited to turn out for the free discussion on Wednesday, Nov. 21 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. It’s happening in Room 2201 at Douglas College’s New Westminster campus, 700 Royal Ave.

“The origins of public art date back to antiquity, and the value of art in the public sphere has been debated ever since,” says a write-up about the event. “The same piece can both inspire and draw ire; with so much controversy surrounding public art, it begs the question: Does public art enhance our city? Or is it a blight on the urban landscape?”

Panelists will be Julian Brooks, a Douglas College history instructor; Mary Trentadue, New Westminster city councillor; and Darcy Cutler, moderator, a philosophy and humanities instructor at Douglas.

It’s free and open to the public.