October 5, 2020 – Fenelon Falls, ON – The Sculpture Project: Two public artworks will be installed at the Rain Garden in Fenelon Falls, the first project initiated by the Fenelon Arts Committee (FAC).
Established in 2018, the FAC is a volunteer committee that identifies opportunities for artists, strategizes on arts initiatives, and works to increase public access and engagement with art in Fenelon Falls.
The FAC is currently fundraising for the Sculpture Project; the installation of two public artworks in the Rain Garden south of Maryboro Lodge: The Fenelon Museum. The committee received over twenty submissions from various artists and teams for this project. An independent jury of local arts and cultural members short listed five proposals and two works were ultimately selected. The sculptures will be permanently installed on large limestone rocks and will stand as public art.
The first work is Portage, by James C. Smith. Smith has over 40 years of artistic experience and is based in Madoc, Ontario. His sculpture features three life-sized bronze canoe paddle figures participating in a portage. Together the figures create a dynamic procession through the park. Smith’s sculpture is an homage to the location’s history; a portage and gathering area of First Nations’ Peoples, the beginning of the community of Fenelon Falls, forestry, logging, and its current use as a recreational park.
The second work by Susan Rankin is titled River Grove. Rankin has been using the garden as inspiration in her glass work for over 32 years. Based in Apsley, Ontario she lives in the hardwood forest on the edge of the Precambrian Shield. Her sculpture is a gathering of 10 glass and steel towers 6–8 feet tall; a nod to the region’s forests and logging history. Natural light will illuminate the glass elements throughout the day and will beckon with playful punches of colour in the snowy months of winter.
The FAC has launched its fundraising campaign and is happy to announce they have successfully raised almost half of the funds needed for this project. The committee’s target is $50,000 in order to proceed and procure the sculptures, which will ultimately be on display as City art. Any excess donations will be applied to future public art projects in and around Fenelon Falls. The FAC is grateful for the support and assistance the Community Foundation of Kawartha Lakes, and especially its Community Fund Fenelon Falls.
There are many ways to donate to this exciting project and donations are eligible for a charitable receipt. Please visit the FAC website for complete details on how you can support the Fenelon Arts Committee Sculpture Project.