Welcome to Canada's largest outdoor contemporary art exhibit at Confederation Park.
This park sits on what was once an industrial site that occupied both sides of the Gananoque River. When the Jones Shovel Company ceased operation in the 1960's, the Rotary Club and the Chamber of Commerce developed a park which was dedicated on July 1, 1967. Over time, the Rotary Club added walks, lighting, ponds and a beautiful fountain in the centre of the river. During the 1990's members of the Rotary Club approached the Art Bank in Ottawa, and in due course, a number of sculptures were leased from the Art Bank.
The Sculpture Committee came to the decision in 2004 that we would take a new direction with the sculptures in the Park. Our decision was to gradually return the Art Bank pieces to the Art Bank and commission local artists to create replacement pieces. Our theme was to reflect either the history or the environment of Gananoque and area. The sculpture committee has commissioned the first piece the flying Blue Heron by Bruce Mellon, and the following year the standing Blue Heron, also by Bruce Mellon of Wolfe Island. Last year we commissioned and installed the Pitch Pine, the official tree of Gananoque, by Rick Lapointe, of Kingston.
Our committee's mission statement is to foster an appreciation of arts and culture in our community and to promote the sculptures in Confederation Park. To this end we host an event in the Park each year, such as an unveiling of a new work, and one year we had a competition with school children from all three schools to name the Walter Redinger piece which is on the west bank of the river. Next year, we will not have a new sculpture to unveil so we are planning an event for the Summer Solstice, which will also involve school children.
McAdam, 1972 - Alan Barkley
Alan Barkley Born in 1944 - Painted red steel geometric forms. In 1995, Alan Barkley was appointed president of the Ontario College of Art & Design.
Cascade III, 1977 - Andrew Dutkewych
Andrew Dutkewych Born in Vienna, Austria (BFA Philadelphia College of Art 1966, Post Graduate Diploma, Slade School of Art 1968, London, England).
Source: http://studio-arts.concordia.ca
Big X, 1977 - Douglas Bentham
Douglas Bentham Born in 1947 - Douglas Bentham's sculpture is represented in many major public collections in Canada and in private collections throughout North America and Europe. He has received several honours and awards over the years, notably membership in the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts in 1976 and the Lynch-Staunton Award from the Canada Council in 1981. One of Canada's most prominent sculptors, Bentham's work can be found in public and private collections in Canada and the United States. Source: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com
Leaf, 2004 - Mike Tennant
Iron leaf set in a pond. Dedicated to the trees of Gananoque, past, present, future. By the Gananoque Forestree Advisory Committee. Peter M. Murray R.P.F., Chairman Crafted by Mike Tennant of Tennants Welding, Gananoque October 28, 2004. The Gananoque Forestree Advisory Committee (GFAC) was established in the spring of 1996 to advise and educate the residents about the conditions and importance of trees in Gananoque.
Untitled, 1973 - Tom Henderson
Tom Henderson Born in 1936 - Tom Henderson is a retired sculpture professor of Mount Allison University in New Brunswick.
1929 - 1984, 1974 and Montage Sculpture, Undated - Walter Redinger
Walter Redinger Born in 1940 - For over 40 years Walter Redinger has been known for his large controversial fibreglass sculptures. Mr. Redinger has exhibited internationally with exhibits in New York, Italy and France. Mr. Redinger's work was chosen to represent Canada at the 1972 Venice Biennale, currently his work is being exhibited in New York City at the Mitchell Algus Art Gallery.
The late sixties and early seventies would see Walter rise to national and international prominence, culminating in his selection as one of two artists to represent Canada at the Venice Biennale in 1972.
Intra Structure #14, 1977 - Patrick Thibert
Patrick Thibert Born in Windsor, Ontario in 1943. Mr. Thibert currently has 133 works in the Canadian Art Database. He currently lives and works in Mt. Brydges, Ontario. Source: http://www.ccca.ca
