Call to Artists: Florence Carlyle Sculpture Commission, Woodstock

Images (left to right): Florence Carlyle Park in Woodstock, Ontario. Florence Carlyle (Canadian, 1864–1923), Self Portrait, ca. 1901, oil on canvas, 43.50 x 33.20, Gift of Florence Johnston.

Call for Expressions of Interest and Qualifications

On-site Information Meeting: June 14, 2023, at 3 p.m.
Deadline: September 6, 2023, at 1 p.m.
Commission: $75,000

The Woodstock Art Gallery invites artists residing in Ontario to submit expressions of interest and qualifications to create a permanent public artwork in honour of Florence Carlyle for the Bruce Flowers Sculpture Garden in the newly named Florence Carlyle Park, located in the City of Woodstock.

May 2, 2023, marked the 100th anniversary of the death of Woodstock artist Florence Carlyle (1864–1923). On May 6, 2023, the Woodstock Art Gallery and the City of Woodstock celebrated the naming of the new Florence Carlyle Park with a community event and sign unveiling.

Mayor Jerry Acchione, Woodstock Art Gallery Director/Curator Mary Reid, Oxford County Pride President Tami Murray, artist Maxine Noel and Woodstock Art Gallery Advisory Board Chair Leslie Sorochan at the naming of Florence Carlyle Park on Saturday, May 6. Photo Credit: Trish Roberts, Custom Concept Photography.

The intent of this project is to create a public artwork to recognize Carlyle’s importance not only to Woodstock but to the development of Canadian art. Additionally, this public artwork is a modest means to address the glaring lack of representation of diversity in the City of Woodstock and to promote the inclusion of the local 2SLGBTQIA+ community.

The Woodstock Art Gallery emphasizes the request for a contemporary response honouring Florence Carlyle by considering the human form, to address one or more of the following thematic options as related to this concept:

• Love & Acceptance
• Mentoring & Teaching
• Community & Connection

Artists and artist teams are asked to submit an application package including an expression of interest, CV, references and examples of previous work by September 6, 2023, at 1 p.m.

An artwork proposal is not requested at this time. Artist applications will be reviewed on the basis of artistic excellence, expressed written interest in the site, and other professional qualifications. Experience with community engagement and a desire to create artwork for and in the public realm is required.

The applications will be reviewed by a selection committee which will recommend a shortlist of artists to develop an artwork proposal. An honorarium of $2,500 for proposal development will be extended to the shortlisted artists.

The selected artist(s) will be awarded a $75,000 commission for the completion of the project. Installation of the sculpture is expected to take place in October 2024.

Complete details for the project including the call to artists, application forms and additional support documents can be found on the Woodstock Art Gallery’s Public Art webpage.

An on-site information meeting will be held on Wednesday, June 14, at 3 p.m., with representatives from the Woodstock Art Gallery and City of Woodstock staff. A question-and-answer summary of this meeting will also be posted on the website.

This project is funded in part by the Government of Canada.

For additional information or questions, please contact:
Mary Reid
Director/Curator
e. mreid@cityofwoodstock.ca
t. 519-539-6740

Woodstock Art Gallery
449 Dundas St., Woodstock ON N4S 1C2
PO Box 1539, Woodstock ON N4S 0A7
519-539-6761
waginfo@cityofwoodstock.ca
www.woodstockartgallery.ca

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