Tuesday, June 2, 2015 (Halifax, NS) – The Halifax region has a rich and diverse cultural makeup, including significant Aboriginal and African Nova Scotian communities. The municipality wants to highlight these important ties through permanent art installations at the new entrance plazas being built on the Halifax Common.
A call for artists and arts facilitators went out this week to work on two community art projects that will reflect the unique aspects of the local Aboriginal and African Nova Scotian communities.
A similar call went out last week for a community art project highlighting the LGBTQ community.
The municipality is developing three pedestrian plazas, or gateways, on the Common as part of the North Park Intersection Redesign project. Each plaza will feature a design in the concrete, created by artists in collaboration with one of the three communities mentioned above.
The Aboriginal project will be part of the Creighton Fields Gateway, the pedestrian plaza located at North Park and Cornwallis streets; the African Nova Scotian project will be incorporated into the Armoury Gateway near the Halifax Armoury; and the LGBTQ project will be located at the Citadel Gateway, which will be built closest to the new roundabout at North Park and Cogswell streets.
Public consultations were held over the winter and spring with members of the local Aboriginal and African Nova Scotia communities. The theme for the art at the Creighton Fields Gateway will be Mi’kmaw culture and symbolism. A theme for the Armoury Gateway has yet to be chosen.
The successful artists for these projects will participate in community discussions this summer hosted by the municipality in partnership with the Mi’kmaw Native Friendship Center and LaMeia Reddick of the Black Leaders and Learners Advocacy Collective. This will help to inform, inspire and connect the artist with the community and ensure that the final design accurately expresses the voices of the community.
Those interested in applying can mail their submission to:
Kate MacLennan, Community Developer
Parks & Recreation
Halifax Regional Municipality
P.O. Box 1749
Halifax, NS, B3J 3A5
Applicants can also drop their submission off in person at the George Dixon Recreation Center, 2502 Brunswick St., Halifax. For more information on the projects, the application requirements and deadlines, visit www.halifax.ca/culture/CommunityArts/NorthCommonPlazas.php.
The North Park Intersection Redesign is the first major municipal roundabout project of its kind. This is about more than just reconfiguring two intersections — it is a bold approach to a larger civic project that includes many disciplines, departments and goals. Redesigning these two intersections allows for significant neighbourhood improvements, including upgraded street, pedestrian and cycling infrastructure, community art and high quality public spaces.
Source: Release