Location:
Neighbourhood:
Artist:
Date installed: |
Rear of Martin Ave Community Centre, 1434 Graham Street
Downtown Kelowna
Holliby Ross
2007 |
The Work
The Martin Avenue Mosaics project, installed in the park and playground area behind the Martin Avenue Community Centre, is comprised of three artist-designed concrete benches, decorated with approximately 200 mosaic tiles painted by neighbourhood residents. Many of the tiles bear either a name or a self-portrait, making them a friendly tribute to the community surrounding the Park. The benches also include pebble mosaics depicting a number of Okanagan themes.
The decorated tiles are laid side by side, in a row, representing the shared values of a community. Many of the people who painted a tile had never been involved in art-making before.
Accompanying each of the benches is an Emerald Queen Maple tree, which will add beauty in all seasons and much-needed shade and respite in the summer. They serve as a reminder of the value of precious green space in a growing city.
The tiles were painted by people of all backgrounds and ages during a series of workshops held in the summer of 2007.
Two of the benches are within the enclosed playground area, with trees close by, and the third bench, with its accompanying tree is at the edge of the park adjacent to the walkway.
The Project
This project was one of Kelowna's first two Community Public Art projects, both completed in 2007.
The North End Residents' Association was successful in obtaining a matching grant of $2,500 from the Community Public Art Program for this project.
Lee Aaron Clark, in an article about the project, states, 'One of the most important parts of the Martin Avenue Mosaic Bench Project is community involvement. Many local businesses have donated materials and services toward the undertaking. Seniors, street people, teenagers, children, and a variety of others have participated. The down town area itself is a common ground [where] people from all parts of the city converge. Many cities in Latin America and Europe have a central square, where people gather to conduct business and socialize in a non-threatening environment. Cities in Canada typically have not been designed to facilitate this sort of communion. This project may be small, but it is a step towards bringing people together.'
Additional cash, in-kind and volunteer support for the project was provided by:
• Sun-Rype
• Urban Harvest
• Tolko Industries Ltd.
• Opus Framing & Art Supplies
• Parks Alive!
• Print Three
• Macdonald Realty Kelowna
• OK Builders Supplies Ltd.
• Interior/Exterior
• Martin Avenue Centre and the Okanagan
• Boys & Girls Clubs
• McMyn's Locates
• Kelowna Drop-In Centre
• Kelowna Party Rental
• The Bean Scene
• Society for Learning in Retirement
The project was dedicated on November 17, 2007, with Mayor Sharon Shepherd and about 75 project supporters and neighbourhood residents in attendance. The event featured speakers, a video by Holliby Ross, a ribbon cutting, and refreshments--including a cake decorated with an image in icing of the concept drawings by Holliby Ross.
The Artist
Holliby Ross obtained a BFA from the Nova Scotia College of Art & Design in 2000 and relocated to Kelowna in 2001. She has been an active member of Kelowna's art community as an artist and volunteer, including serving as a Board member of the Alternator Gallery for Contemporary Art. In 2004, she initiated the gallery's key fundraiser, the annual Wearable Art Gala and has continued to organize and participate in the show each year since. She has participated in solo and group exhibitions in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and British Columbia. She is interested in a variety of expression, including fashion, film, graphic design and sculptural installations.
Holliby lives and has her studio in Kelowna's North End.
Project coordinator Meredith Ferner got involved in the project as a resident of Kelowna's North End and a member of the North End Residents' Association. She saw an opportunity to engage residents in an activity which would help bring 'a stronger sense of community, pride and belonging' to the neighbourhood.
|