Public art installation coming to Lindsay’s main street this fall
The Lindsay Downtown BIA is pleased to announce that their ‘Space Reclaimed’ public art proposal was selected for the My Main Street Community Activator initiative and has received support for a mixed media art installation on the wall of 121 Kent Street West.
The ‘Space Reclaimed’ project involves a redesign of the wall, which will be painted to harmonize with the building’s exterior. The new installation will incorporate natural elements and a distinctive aluminum structure. At night, the installation will be beautifully illuminated with LED lighting, enhancing its visual impact and increasing foot traffic to main street.
This project is anticipated to have a positive effect on Lindsay’s downtown, as it transforms one of the most prominent wall spaces in the area; that has not been updated since the installation of the current mural in 1997. Though the desire to revitalize this space has been a long-term goal by many, it could not have been accomplished without the generous support of My Main Street, who recognized the proposed vision, and understood the impact of public art and placemaking on the downtown, designated as a Heritage Conservation District in 2017.
Through a locally juried selection process, the BIA is thrilled to announce that the submission from Sudbury’s Monique Legault was the winner of the nationally circulated artist call. More updates will be available via the Lindsay Downtown’s website, lindsaydowntown.ca, and social media accounts as the work progresses throughout the coming weeks.
“This piece signifies the strength of the community, of nature, and the land we call home,” says Legault. “I am honoured to have been chosen to share my passion for art and nature with the people of Lindsay and only hope to make you proud to host one of my pieces.”
“In recent years, our downtown has experienced a remarkable transformation, with millions invested in enhancing our streetscape,” remarked Melissa McFarland, executive director of the Lindsay Downtown BIA. “However, we recognized the need for a centerpiece — an inspiring work of art that would reflect our pride and serve as a landmark for the community. This prominent wall stands as the perfect canvas for such a significant piece. We are immensely grateful to the City of Kawartha Lakes for their partnership in this initiative, to My Main Street for supporting this vision, and we are so enthusiastic to be working with Monique Legault. This is just the beginning; I envision many more stunning artworks that will not only beautify our streets but also celebrate incredible talent.”
My Main Street is built on the principle of supporting community economic development and creating vibrant and diverse neighbourhoods which will enhance the overall quality of life for residents while also promoting sustainable and inclusive community development. My Main Street is delivered by the Canadian Urban Institute (CUI), and supported by a Government of Canada investment through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). Learn more about the My Main Street program at mymainstreet.ca.
