Orangeville’s public art collection expands with five new additions

The Town of Orangeville’s public art collection has grown with four new utility boxes and a mural installation on the garden shed at Orangeville's Community Garden and Orchard. The art submissions were selected by Orangeville’s Cultural Plan Task Force to be featured on town-owned assets.

The Utility Box Art Display Program recognizes local artists, celebrates the Town’s culture and history, and promotes Orangeville as an arts and culture hub for the region. The beautification effort started in downtown Orangeville in 2016 with three installations and has since grown to a collection of 31 unique public art pieces, including this year’s additions.

“The continued success of this program demonstrates the magnitude of the creative talent in our region,” said Councillor Lisa Post, Chair of the Cultural Plan Task Force. “Each installation allows the community to connect with our local artists, in colourful and inspiring ways.”

The five pieces selected for the new locations were submitted in a Call for Artists announced by the Town in early 2022:

• “Autumn Leaves” by Kelly Blackstock of Orangeville was inspired by the natural surroundings adjacent to the utility box. The piece features an owl set amongst a backdrop of long grasses, reeds, and cattails. The muted earth tones capture the comforting associations we make with the fall season. The installation can be found at Broadway and C Line. Kelly grew up in Orangeville and has always been active in the local arts community. She is now a secondary school teacher at Centre Dufferin District High School, teaching in the Visual Arts and Family Studies programs.
  
  
• “Fire Star” by Jeffrey J Nagy of Orangeville was created using only camera settings with no additional enhancements or editing. The photograph captures one of many brilliant light displays at Christmas in the Park, an annual event hosted by the Optimist Club of Orangeville. A resident of Orangeville for 20 years, Jeffrey still recalls his first Christmas in the community and his first visit to Kay Cee Gardens during the holiday season. The park is a special place for the artist and he hopes this installation will spark that same feeling for visitors. More of Jeffrey’s photographs can be viewed at www.creativeimpulses.ca.
  
  
• “Papillon” by Deborah Powell of Amaranth captures the beauty of butterflies in flight. The abstract piece was created using acrylic paint and the artist selected bold colours to convey the butterfly’s ability to soar and spread feelings of joy. The artwork is displayed at the intersection of Riddell Road and Centennial Road. Deborah discovered abstract acrylic pouring and now primarily uses that technique to create her pieces. She also teaches lessons and leads group events through her business To Pour With Love. More details can be found on Instagram and Facebook @topourwithlove.
  
  
• “Roses Are Not Always Red” by Deb Menken of Mono is a digital manipulation of the artist’s original acrylic painting. The colourful representation of flowers and foliage pays a fitting tribute to the former Dufferin Garden Centre. The business operated from 1974 to 2021 from its location at Centennial Road and C Line, where the artwork is now installed. Deb is an avid artist who creates abstract pieces in acrylic and mixed media. She is an active member of Headwaters Arts and often leads workshops at Maggiolly Art. See more of Deb’s work at www.debmenken.com.
  
  
• “Wheatfield, Dufferin County” by Stella Capogna of Mono pays tribute to the rural history of Dufferin County. The oil painting of hay bales speaks to the rich agricultural diversity of the region and the artist’s desire to call attention to the contributions of the generations of people who have farmed the land. The artwork is installed at Orangeville's Community Garden and Orchard at 30 Centre Street. Stella is a painter and a sculptor, often combining a variety of materials to create unique pieces. More about her work can be found at www.terrasassostudio.com.

An online listing of all public art pieces including these new installations can be found in the digital guide. You can learn more about each installation as well as other pieces of public art in Orangeville. Residents and visitors are invited to explore the tree sculptures, utility box art, and monuments that contribute to Orangeville’s public art collection.

The Utility Box Art Display Program provides local artists with the opportunity to submit unique artwork for installation on selected Town utility boxes using a custom vinyl wrap process. Successful artists receive a fee of $750 for their designs. Artists residing in Dufferin County are invited to apply. Watch for a call for artists in spring 2023.