Local artist sought to create sculpture for Humber River Centre

Sculpture will be in prominent Downtown Bolton spot

By Zachary Roman

Caledon artists have a chance to have their work displayed at a new community hub in Bolton.

The Town of Caledon is currently renovating the Old Bolton Fire Hall to become the Humber River Centre (HRC), which it says will be a unique community space in the heart of Bolton.

Opening this fall, the HRC will be a community meeting space, host a year-round farmers' market, and feature a makerspace and tools for entrepreneurs and small businesses. 

Since it was once a fire hall, the HRC has a rough-cast bell out front of it. This bell is going to be moved to Caledon Fire Station 302, where the Town says it will “continue to recognize the importance of the fire community.”

The Town is seeking to commission a local artist to create a sculpture that will replace the bell above the HRC entrance. It would like the sculpture to pay homage to the history of the building and firefighters. 

The sculpture must match the dimensions and shape of the current bell. The Town is challenging artists to think of ways to use sound and light in their sculpture, as electrical hookups will be available for the sculpture. Artists must be able to mount their structure to the existing steel beam at the HRC.

While the Town will maintain the sculpture once it's in place, the artist must provide recommendations for its care and maintenance. The Town is looking for a low-maintenance material that will not tarnish easily.

Artists ages 18 and up can submit applications to make the sculpture until June 30. An art selection committee will then evaluate submissions and notify the chosen artist on July 17. The artist must then have the sculpture complete by September 15 so it can undergo a safety inspection and be unveiled on September 18.

The chosen artist will receive $7,500 to cover all of their costs including artist fees, materials, and installation.

For more information on the application process and to apply to create the sculpture, interested parties can visit the public art section of the Town's website, caledon.ca.