A new plan has mapped out locations where public art could be placed in the years ahead.
New Westminster city council recently received a draft of the public art plan that provides a framework to create opportunities for public art throughout the city. It’s envisioned that public art will be located at locations including civic sites, greenways and the riverfront.
“I think the city of New Westminster has really over the past five years engaged in public art in ways that it never has before and quite successfully,” said Mayor Jonathan Cote. “I know there are some public art pieces that some people in the community love and others not so much. There have been some debates around this table about public art, but overall I think there is a recognition that the City of New Westminster has really stepped up its game when it comes to public art, and we are now seeing really interesting pieces throughout our city.”
A staff report said the plan will ensure the development of an inclusive, diverse and unique public art collection and a lasting cultural legacy for New Westminster.
The public art advisory committee developed a number of broad themes that could be considered for public art, including: exploring the present and future; reflecting the interests and culture of New Westminster’s diverse communities; expressing issues and ideas inherent to New Westminster; relating to nature and the ecology of the city; distilling the spiritual, material and emotional values of New Westminster; and recognizing and celebrating the city’s heritage.
Coun. Patrick Johnstone said the six themes are good, but feels the document needs to provide more details about what those themes mean. Citing heritage as an example, Johnstone said the city needs to consider how it will put its colonial heritage into context and discuss how the heritage of underrepresented people in the city will be included in public art.
“I think it needs to be fleshed out more before we can say this is a really good guidance document for people who down the road who are assessing public art,” he said.
Coun. Jaimie McEvoy would like public art to recognize former historic areas of the city, such as its old Chinatown, Japanese areas or the Indian reservation. While people are currently unable to go to those areas today and know they’re in historic areas, he believes that’s something that could be celebrated through public art.
Council referred the draft public art plan back to the public art advisory committee for refinements based on its input.
While he likes the themes proposed, Cote wants assurances that the city won’t be too prescriptive when considering public art.
“I think some of the most amazing public art is ones that we have allowed flexibility and creativity to flourish,” he said. “I think the plan does a very good job of providing some parameters and guidance and aspirations in the community, but I do worry sometimes if you are being very prescriptive about what you are looking for in public art you may not be giving artist the opportunity to really amaze us and come up with something brilliant.”
A registry of the city’s public art can be found at www.newwestcity.ca/public-art.
