Winnipeg, MB - Representatives from the Winnipeg Arts Council, the City of Winnipeg, and the Province of Manitoba celebrated the opening of the Adsum Public Art & Seating Plaza today in Adsum Park.
“Once again we see a community and a neighborhood that celebrates the artistic and cultural diversity that is the reality across Manitoba,” said Drew Caldwell, Minister responsible for Municipal Government and the City of Winnipeg. “I’m proud to join with the City of Winnipeg to support the Winnipeg Arts Council in their quest to enhance our public spaces.”
“Adsum Park is a busy community gathering place and this public art project is a wonderful addition to our neighborhood,” said Devi Sharma, City Councillor for Old Kildonan. “The theme showcases diversity and unity and it’s great to see those values displayed so proudly in art that is both beautiful and functional in this new seating plaza.”
“The Winnipeg Arts Council is pleased to integrate art into all neighbourhoods of Winnipeg,” said Carol A. Phillips, Executive Director of the Winnipeg Arts Council.
The public art and seating area piece entitled Close Commons features the work of local artist Gurpreet Sehra. Close Commons is intended to reflect newcomer experiences and make a connection between the idea of homeland and Winnipeg. The area features two semi-circular granite benches carved with an intricate floral design inspired by Indian and Islamic architecture and textiles, and aluminum backrests shaped like the bur oak leaf, which is indigenous to Manitoba.
“The residents of this community deserve a beautiful public space, a space that reflects their community and that is comfortable, functional and inviting to all families, individuals and groups of people,” said Gurpreet Sehra. “My hope is for the community to use and enjoy the new benches and space for many years to come.”
The artwork with site enhancements was commissioned through the Winnipeg Arts Council’s Public Art Program with partnership funding from the City of Winnipeg and Province of Manitoba through the Building Communities Initiative II, Phase Three. The project, which also includes pathways and trees, was made possible by funding from the Winnipeg Arts Council in the amount of $76,000, with an additional $50,000 in funding from the City of Winnipeg and the Province of Manitoba.
For more information on the project, please visit www.winnipegarts.ca.
About the artist:
Artist Gurpreet Sehra spent the summer of 2014 meeting with community members and conducting surveys in English, Punjabi and Tagalog to understand how Adsum Park is used and enjoyed. Close Commons was conceived in response to the community’s expressed need for additional outdoor gathering space, especially seating near the children’s playground.
Gurpreet Sehra is a local multidisciplinary artist who works in traditional and non-traditional media: painting, printmaking, video and conceptual installation. Through her work, she is interested in exploring conceptions of gender, as related to Sikh-Punjabi diasporic communities. She was born and raised in the greater Toronto area and now calls Winnipeg home.
About the Building Communities Initiatives (BCI):
The BCI partnership is a multi-year cost-shared capital initiative developed jointly by the Manitoba government and the City of Winnipeg. BCI II will provide $23.8 million to support community revitalization through improvements to 121 local infrastructure initiatives in targeted older neighbourhoods and contribute to the vitality, safety and health of communities throughout the city.
Phase One of BCI II provided $10 million between 2010 and 2014. All 38 of these approved projects under the first phase have been completed.
Phase Two of BCI II will provide an additional $10 million between 2013 and 2015. An additional 51 projects have been approved under Phase Two, with 27 having been completed so far.
Phase Three of BCI II will provide an additional $3.8 million. 60 per cent of the funding for this phase is provided by the City of Winnipeg and 40 per cent is contributed by the Province of Manitoba. 32 have been approved under Phase Three, with 12 having been completed thus far.
BCI II projects include improving athletic fields, playgrounds, skate parks, spray and splash pads, basketball and tennis courts, lighting, seating, pathways in parks and upgrades of community centres.