By Lee Griffi
Four artists and artist teams have been shortlisted for a public art commission in honour of Woodstock artist Florence Carlyle.
The Woodstock Art Gallery launched the project in May 2023 to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Carlyle’s death. Artists from across Ontario were invited to apply for the opportunity to create a sculpture for the Bruce Flowers Sculpture Garden in Florence Carlyle Park.
The City of Woodstock’s public art committee selected the shortlist from more than a dozen submissions. The shortlisted artists are Michelle Cieloszczyk and Holly Jo, Marlene Hilton Moore, Duane and Urszula Kumala-Thomas, and Amy McIntosh and Petra Matar.
“I was extremely encouraged by the calibre of submissions we received in response to the initial call for qualifications. Narrowing down the shortlist of artists to develop proposals for the project was a difficult choice for the committee,” said director Mary Reid.
“The proposed artworks not only show the breadth and range of these accomplished artists but of Florence Carlyle herself. I have a feeling she would be very pleased with the potential brought by each of these proposals,” she added.
The proposals can be viewed at www.cityofwoodstock.ca/publicart and will be on display at the Woodstock Art Gallery starting May 10. Residents can share their thoughts through an online survey until May 30 at 11:59 p.m.
The feedback will be reviewed by the public art committee, which will make the final decision this summer. The selected artist or team will be awarded $75,000 for the completion of the sculpture.
Carlyle was a trailblazing Canadian artist and writer. Born in Galt in 1864, she grew up in Woodstock and went on to garner national and international acclaim as a painter. She met her longtime partner, Judith Hastings, in 1911 and the pair settled in England, remaining together until Carlyle died in 1923.
The Woodstock Art Gallery received $50,000 towards the Florence Carlyle Sculpture Commission from the Department of Canadian Heritage Building Communities through the Arts and Heritage program — Legacy Fund component. The remaining $25,000 will be covered by the City of Woodstock’s art acquisition reserve fund, which can only be used to purchase work for the Woodstock Art Gallery’s permanent collection.