HEMLCKEN ROAD TRESTLE – MURAL THEMES

HELMCKEN ROAD TRESTLE – MURAL THEMES

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the mural themes of:

• multi-modal transportation/active transportation;
• Craigflower Creek;
• trees/forest;
• children at study and play;
• Coast Salish/First Nations;
• View Royal’s three sailboats logo; and
• other any other themes that Council would like to add at the May 2, 2023 Council meeting

be the subject of polling to May 14, 2023 for the Public art acquisition mural project (N-093).

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER’S COMMENTS:

I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT:

1. To seek support on proposed mural themes with which to engage the public.
2. To inquire if Council has additional mural themes to add.

BACKGROUND:

Staff are working to advance the public art mural project (N-093) that was supported in the 2022 and 2023 financial plans proposed as a Council initiative to enhance community aesthetics, provide additional art in the Town, and to discourage graffiti.

Site preparation work took place in the latter half of 2022, the Island Corridor Foundation has agreed to the installation, and a contractor with experience in this field is involved to operationalize the project. As noted in the project summary and mentioned during budget deliberations, some public engagement is also an element of the project and is the purpose of this report.

DISCUSSION:

Public engagement could occur at various stages in any art project; however, based on timelines for this project – tied to both weather and potential artist availability – it is proposed that public engagement be obtained right at the beginning to ensure it is reflected in the project at the outset. It is proposed that the public be asked for input on the theme artists should be considering as they put together their proposals.

Due to the project’s location – E & N trestle, under a regional multipurpose trail, close to Craigflower Creek – a tributary of Portage Inlet, close to View Royal Elementary School, in a region of Coast Salish cultures and languages – theme ideas are proposed as follows:

• multi-modal transportation/active transportation;
• Craigflower Creek;
• trees/forest;
• children at study and play;
• Coast Salish/First Nations; and
• View Royal’s three sailboats logo.

If Council has additional themes to suggest, those can be included. As well, the public will be asked to provide themes that may not be listed – while these will not be able to be included in the polling, Council will be able to consider the suggestions provided.

Staff propose that themes confirmed at the May 2, 2023 Council meeting be posted for online polling. It should be noted that the polling will not be considered statistically valid. Responses will then be provided to Council at the May 16, 2023 Council meeting – along with any additional themes submitted by members of the public – for Council endorsement of one theme. This theme can then be included in the request for proposals to artists.

As to subsequent steps, in keeping with the Town’s Public Art Policy, final selection will be made by Council prior to the mural’s installation.

CONCLUSION:

It is important to obtain public input into the mural project. The opportunity to provide guidance at the outset by specifying a theme on which artists can build their proposal is useful to focus the project and can communicate the sense of place that residents want to articulate about their neighbourhood and the Town more broadly.

TIME CRITICAL:

This project is time-sensitive due to several factors including the weather window, potential artist scheduling, and consultant and staff availability. The identification of a theme through public engagement is an efficient tool and will help to focus the project.

RECOMMENDATION:

THAT the mural themes of:

• multi-modal transportation/active transportation;
• Craigflower Creek;
• trees/forest;
• children at study and play;
• Coast Salish/First Nations; and
• View Royal’s three sailboats logo;
• other any other themes that Council would like to add at the May 2, 2023 Council meeting

be the subject of polling to May 14, 2023 for the Public art acquisition mural project (N-093).

SUBMITTED BY: S. Jones, Corporate Officer

REVIEWED BY: K. Anema, Chief Administrative Officer