By Cecilia Nasmith/Today’s Northumberland
Cobourg will get three new public art pieces in the spring, Art Gallery of Northumberland Executive Director Olinda Casimiro announced Wednesday at council’s Community Protection and Economic Development Standing Committee Meeting.
“We are here with great news,” Casimiro said, announcing that sculptor Douglas Bentham – whose work is in the National Gallery of Canada – had donated three pieces to the gallery’s permanent collection.
The pieces, all made of steel, are called Sentinel (2001), Leonardo’s Wind (2017) and Espalier Athena (2007).
Casimiro note the contributions of former Director of Community Services Brian Geerts (who has since left the position) to the project. She described a walk-about the two of them had taken to scope out locations for the pieces. They settled on a location in Victoria Park for Sentinel and two at the marina for the others.
Once installed, the AGN will see to their maintenance. Meanwhile, she is requesting council to redirect the $20,000 for public art asset maintenance to fund the engineering drawings and installation of concrete slabs and columns for these pieces. The hope is to get the installed and unveiled by April.
“I think it’s a great idea,” committee chair Adam Bureau said, adding that a report back from staff on the request and its details would probably also be a good idea.
Committee member Aaron Burchat agreed, and made the appropriate motion.
