Preston Street sculptor c j fleury with models of her Postcards from the Piazza artworks to be installed on Preston. The finished pieces are 6 to 11 feet high.
City of Ottawa press release: September 10, 2010
Public art sculptures add finishing touches to City streets
Ottawa – Eye-catching sculptures will soon be installed along Preston Street, Wellington Street West and King Edward Avenue as part of the major construction projects that have transformed neighbourhoods with new infrastructure and beautiful streetscapes.
Postcards from the Piazzas by local artist cj fleury will be installed along Preston Street. The public art consists of 15 bronze, stainless steel and granite sculptures that echo designs of Italian piazzas and stories from the Preston Street community. Each sculpture was created from memories, stories and imagery collected by the artist from local residents over a two-year period. In association with La Vendemmia, Ottawa’s annual celebration of Italian wine and food cj fleury will lead free walking tours (English only) for the public on September 25 and 26 at 11 a.m. For more information and to register for the walking tour visit the Event Schedule page at: www.prestonstreet.com/lavendemmia.
The Wellington Marbles, eighteen hand-carved marble sculptures by the artist team Marcus Kucey-Jones and Ryan Lotecki will also be installed on Wellington Street West. Each of the eighteen sculptures playfully captures the form of a fire hydrant merged with everyday objects as a tribute to the local history and modern renewal of the community. In association with Culture Days the artists will provide a guided walking tour of the sculptures (English only) on September 25 starting at 1 p.m. To register for the walking tour email publicartprogram@ottawa.ca. Also, join us for hands on arts activities and a display on the making of the artwork September 25 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Great Canadian Theatre, 1233 Wellington Street West.
In addition, Celebration of Growth, a sculptural series of seed pods and plant growth inspired by themes of nature and renewal by Karl Ciesluk, will complete the transformation of King Edward Avenue, north of Rideau Street, when they are installed in October. Stay tuned for notices of upcoming celebrations and artist talks for this commission.
The three commissions represent an investment in our local arts and culture made possible through the City of Ottawa’s Percent for Art Policy. One percent of funds from the municipal reconstruction projects was set aside for public art in order to beautify the space and make art accessible to everyone. Public Art Commissions transform public spaces into more human, social places and create meeting and gathering places. The sculptures for Preston Street and Wellington Street West add additional excitement to the neighbourhoods, encouraging movement down the street and creating a destination.