Public Art Plan Developed for Oval Precinct
29 May 2006
The Richmond Oval Precinct and Surrounding Area Public Art Plan has been approved by Richmond City Council as a guideline for developing art opportunities for in and around the Oval. The plan proposes an exciting series of integrated artworks, sculpture and functional artist-designed public features within the Oval and on the surrounding grounds.
Within the Oval, the plan envisions a large scale suspended artwork within the building lobby. Art projects are already underway to develop plans for artwork that will enhance the large concrete buttresses on the north side of the building and to design the colour scheme for the polycarbonate cladding on the exterior of the Oval.
Public art projects envisioned for the Oval grounds include a pedestrian bridge, an interactive water works feature; a water-sky viewpoint, medicinal garden, riverside gathering place, a legacy plaza and the site furnishings for the Oval precinct
Projects will be phased in over a number of years, with some coinciding with construction of the Oval and some others to be completed after 2010. Artists will be selected through a variety of local to international competitions, which will be formatted to ensure there is significant representation from local First Nations and other Pacific Northwest artists.
Council has voted to support an initial allocation of $1.75 million to be funded from the City’s 2005 budget surplus. This will allow work to begin on priority projects, including the concrete buttress artwork, the waterworks feature and site furnishings as well as initial design and construction work on the pedestrian bridge and legacy plaza. Total cost of the plan could be up to $5.3 million, however this amount has not been committed by Council. It is anticipated that a significant amount of further funding for the plan can be obtained through corporate sponsorships and other external funding plans.
For more information on the plan, visit: www.richmond.ca/__shared/assets/052306_item1813797.pdf
