Association To Add Some Artistic Flair To The Downtown

The Downtown is about to gain an added splash of colour and an outdoor art tour under a plan by the Downtown Moose Jaw Association inc.

The plan unveiled and approved at the April 121th regular meeting of Council is designed to not only make the Downtown more colourful but at the same time draw more people into the area.

It is just one of the recent initiatives such as the outdoor business patio initiative designed to make the Downtown more attractive, drawing more people in the area and hopefully generating more economic activity for area businesses.

Speaking on behalf of the Downtown Moose Jaw Association local Downtown business owner Alex Carleton outlined the plans the association has for the project.

“We have come up with an idea to follow through with our Downtown with the Kinsmen Kids Art Project. Which is funded by the Moose Jaw Kinsmen as well as the Moose Jaw Co-op that is going to donate the paint and we have four local artists who will take part,” Carleton told Council.

Alex Carlton speaks before Council - MJ Independent photo

He said if approved the group was hoping to have 30 to 40 of the outdoor art works completed this year. An example of the potential art works the group is hoping to create in the Downtown is pictured below.

“Our goal is to keep it growing and to be something really positive in our Downtown for our tourists, for the City of Moose Jaw as well as vibrancy for our kids they are really going to enjoy it as well,” he said.

Carleton told Council it was the association’s hope that people had “a map to go around and see all of the fun things that we have created.”

Additionally SaskPower and SaskEnergy has already granted approval for some of the infrastructure the group is planning to paint and turn into outdoor art.

“If it is painted it will look better on top of that. We have a lot of park benches and garbage cans that could use some sprucing up and it is a great way to do that as well.”

Councillor Crystal Froese asked about the theme for the art works and what was being proposed.

An example of the splash of colour the Downtown Moose Jaw Inc propose to add to the Downtown - source Downtown Moose Jaw Inc presentation to Council

“We just want to keep it fun, but obviously we have the notorious which is something we will be looking at the same things for kids of all ages…there is anything from animals to animated aliens. It can be all sorts of things we are not really have chosen a direct area we are going to go with that, we are just going to let the artist come up with what they do,” Carleton replied.

Councillor Froese said she was very happy to see the proposal come before Council in terms of public art and supported the initiative.

Councillor Doug Blanc complimented the project as an asset to the Downtown.

“I looked through some of the designs you came up with and they really are fabulous and will improve our Downtown certainly,” Councillor Blanc said.

Councillor Blanc asked if the art works were going to be inclusive and help display the ethnic makeup of Moose Jaw.

“We don’t have any other direction than create fun for kids,” Carleton replied.

Councillor Heather Eby said she supported the initiative.

“I love this idea as I have often wondered why we have green on all those park benches and stuff,” Councillor Eby said. “I think it will be great. I also think it will dovetail nicely with our new public art committee that we will hopefully have up and running at some point as part of the same direction.”

She retold the story of a now defunct public art project that started in the early 90’s which allowed neighbourhood groups and others throughout the city to paint fire hydrants with a theme. The themes that popped up at that time were varied and included such things as animals, emergency workers and even people’s favourite hockey teams with one fire hydrant sporting the Montreal Canadiens logo.

“On my street there was a figure skater on the hydrant. But of course it is worn off now but it was so fun,” she said.

Councillor Eby asked if the group was looking for additional artists to join the group to which Carlton said they were.

“Absolutely we are. Forty (art works) is a lot to get done and do want to get it done through the Soring here get it done so we can enjoy it all summer…through our social media we will be reaching out to other artists.”

A Downtown fire hydrant that appears to be in need of a little sprucing up - MJ Independent photo

The association requested Council wave a clause in the City’s Adopt A Bench program. The program only allows a group or a business to adopt a single bench in the Downtown and then re-paint it. All further maintenance is the group’s and not the City’s responsibility.

In order for the art project to proceed for more than one piece of City owned infrastructure to be painted Council had to approve an exemption.

Under the proposal the association assumes all maintenance.

“We will definitely ensure there is an on-going maintenance program under the Adopt A Bench Program,” Derek Blais, parks and recreation director said.

Council approved the request unanimously.