Outdoor Art

Outdoor Art paints the life and history of a community and can be found on streetlamps, fences, in parks on the sides of buildings and in a host of other surprising places. The artwork includes sculptures, murals, banners, plays and more.

The City of St. Catharines owns and manages a collection of outdoor art and cultural property which is supported by guidance from the Public Art Advisory Committee. Additional outdoor art in St. Catharines can be found at Brock University, on the grounds of Rodman Hall Art Centre, on the streets of downtown and on provincial and federal government property.

Some highlights of what you can find in St. Catharines include:

Circle of Friends

A temporary installation on the James Street lawn of City Hall, Rod Dowling's Circle of Friends is a steel abstract sculpture that has provoked discussion, friendly gatherings and many photos. On display until August 2012. This temporary outdoor art installation project will be renewed with new artwork, to be determined. A call for submissions will be released by the Public Art Advisory Committee later this year.

Expressions of Interest - St. Catharines City Hall Sculpture Program

The City of St. Catharines' Public Art Advisory Committee is now accepting Expressions of Interest for an existing work of outdoor art to be displayed on the grounds of St. Catharines City Hall. The selected sculpture will be displayed for a period of two years, with the option to renew for another two years.

Recognizing the need for more public art in the landscape of St. Catharines, the Public Art Advisory Committee (PAAC) has launched a sculpture exhibition program to install works of art in public spaces. The inaugural exhibit, Circle of Friends by Rod Dowling was installed in 2007 for temporary display. The loan was a trial to stimulate awareness of the relationship between art and public spaces. The response from residents was encouraging and the PAAC decided to continue the program, with the possibility of future growth to other City sites.

Those interested in responding to the call must complete the bidding process on the City of St. Catharines' website.

Click here for to view the call on the City of St. Catharines bids and tenders page.

Submissions must be received no later than 2 p.m. on Thursday, June 28, 2012

The Alley

 Check out St. Catharines' downtown urban art scene in The Alley (between James Street and Garden Park Boulevard) with an ever changing vibrant style of art that reflects modern city life.

St. Catharines' War Memorials

St. Catharines has eight war memorials, dating as far back as 1886. Private Alexander Watson died during the Northwest Rebellion and his figure graces the front lawn of City Hall. The front doors of City Hall are surrounded by elegant bronze plaques that serve as our Honour Rolls, with the names of men and women who gave their lives in the First and Second World Wars and the Korean War. The St. Catharines Cenotaph can be found in Memorial Park on Veterans Way (St. Paul Street West). Beautiful War Memorials in Merritton and Port Dalhousie add to the richness of our cultural life and our final two memorials can be found on the grounds of Victoria Lawn Cemetery.

UthInk

Take a self-guided tour and enjoy listening to plays by aspiring young playwrights from St. Catharines. Visit the site that inspired the writer and listen to a three-minute play on your mobile phone. There are nine locations in downtown, one at the Lakeside Park Carousel and one at Lock 3. Look for the green ears.

Click here to visit UthInk