The Town of Gibsons is expected to make a call this month for members to sit on a public art advisory committee.
The Town set up a similar committee in 2006, but it was eventually disbanded.
Mayor Bill Beamish brought the idea of reviving the committee to council at its last meeting of 2019.
In a written report to the Dec. 17, 2019 meeting, Beamish said the original committee was set up “to respond to interest expressed by the community in acquiring and displaying art to culturally enrich public spaces, including those in new developments.”
Beamish’s report also said, “today there is increased opportunity to acquire public art that will help to distinguish our community and to foster a sense of pride and attachment to public spaces and buildings.”
“We’re noticing now that there’s interest in different projects coming forward – Gospel Rock being one opportunity for public art. The supportive housing project [is also] an opportunity for public art,” Beamish told council.
“It’s good to have the perspective of some independent people… We are such a strong arts community on the Sunshine Coast and we need to reflect that community in things we do as well as working with the culture and history of the Squamish Nation.”
Beamish said the committee should be made up of volunteers, and the board of the Gibsons Public Art Gallery should be invited to appoint a member.
He also said council should work with the committee to update the “public art in public spaces” policy created in 2006.
Coun. David Croal suggested the committee’s work also include creating an inventory of existing public art and the possibility of creating an “art bank.”
“I think having a committee to look at [public] art is one thing, but I think it needs to have almost a strategic plan so it grows into something that becomes an asset of the community.”
Youth councillor Eilis Mackenzie also had a suggestion – inviting one of the Elphinstone Secondary School art teachers to sit on the committee as a way of getting the perspective of student artists. “If they have a say in the art that’s created, they have a connection to the community.”
Council voted unanimously to accept Beamish’s proposal. According to an update on the Town’s website, it expects to put out the call for potential committee members to submit “expressions of interest” sometime this month.
