Editor, The Editor:
Re: Artist doesn’t like new public art (The News, Oct. 12).
Having been away a lot recently, I was pleased to get to downtown Maple Ridge and check out the new public art work.
I was very impressed.
As is the case with Vladimir Kolosov, I also am a local artist. However, my opinion of this public art is very different from his, as documented in Phil Melnychuk’s recent write-up.
Though my painting style is representational, I appreciate the modern look and clean lines of this latest art installation. It is very appropriate to the setting, and shows to good effect, backed by the Westminster Savings Credit Union building.
I also did a tour of the inside of the building, and was very taken with the collage-style art pieces in there, and the large wall mural. The whole building and environment has a very unified, contemporary feel. I would recommend a walkabout, both inside and outside, to anyone who has not yet done so.
Westminster Savings is also to be commended on making a large contribution to the project, as corporate support makes a difference to a community’s ability to enhance public spaces in this way.
As a member of the newly-formed Pitt Meadows Public Art Steering Committee, this has brought real insight into the careful groundwork that must be laid for selecting sites, projects, and artists for public art.
Public art is not selected randomly or in an off-hand manner.
It is done through a fair, transparent, and open process and a great deal of thought and work goes into it.
(Many of you saw the calls for submissions for this project that went out in the papers.)
Often, such a project is managed by a special group or individual, and the task is challenging, as there are technical and legal considerations among many others.
As is done in Maple Ridge working under the Maple Ridge council, our committee operates as a sub-committee of Pitt Meadows city council.
We are given an annual allocation of public money, and are subject to the same general management and governance guidelines as the council itself. We take the task very seriously.
Our public art meetings are open to all, and we welcome input from anyone who is interested.
The guidelines and procedures for how the whole public art process works are clearly articulated in publicly accessible documents.
We welcome involvement and feedback.
Public art can do a lot to enhance the enjoyment and liveability of a community – including engagement via lively articles and letters in the paper.
Thanks, Mr. Kolosov, for getting your opinion out there, and stay tuned for when Pitt Meadows launches into its next commissioned work.
Linda Nelson
Pitt Meadows