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Pickering councillors debate Gordon Lightfoot sculpture
Funds for $60,000 statue would come from Pickering's public art reserve
By Kristen Calis Pickering News Advertiser
Pickering sculptor Dorsey James received an arts award and the Senior of the Year Award from the City of Pickering in 2022. Pickering council has voted to buy or commission a work of art from James as part of the future council chamber renovation. June 27, 2022 -
A Gordon Lightfoot statue is coming to Pickering.
However, not everyone on council was happy with the plans to erect the $60,000 statue in the Steeple Hill neighbourhood.
The future statue was one of two different art projects that were passed at the latest council meeting.
Ward 1 Regional Coun. Maurice Brenner brought forward the motion for the statue honouring the late Canadian musician.
The Steeple Hill Community was built in the late 1980s and has streets named after Lightfoot songs in recognition of his talent.
The motion directed staff to undertake a commission of public artwork to be installed in Ernie L. Stroud Park to celebrate the life of the iconic artist.
The work will be funded from the public art reserve in the 2024 budget.
The city will consult the community on the three top-ranked jury selections prior to finalizing the artist selection.
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Ward 1 City Coun. Lisa Robinson said she was asked to support the motion since it is in her ward, but eventually declined because “I cannot justify spending $60,000 on a piece of artwork when we have more pressing issues” such as lineups at the food bank and an increasing homeless population, she said.
Ward 2 City Coun. Mara Nagy mentioned the mental health benefits of public art and reminded Robinson that the city does not pay for social services.
“It’s the Region of Durham that provides funding and support for social services,” she said.
All members of council except Robinson approved the statue.
A second motion, regarding artwork in council chambers, was brought forward by Ward 3 Regional Coun. Shaheen Butt.
The motion called for staff to consult with Pickering resident and internationally renowned wood sculptor Dorsey James, who carves images from world mythology, to commission or purchase one of his pieces. The work is to be included as part of the future council chamber renovation and costs are not to exceed $30,000. The cost will also be funded from the public art reserve.
Butt said he’d like to see the local citizen's work showcased in a public building in Pickering.
"I think … he’s quite valuable with his artwork," he said.
“He’s been contracted to go all over the world, to various countries, to present his artwork and sculptures,” Brenner said.
Ward 2 Regional Coun. Linda Cook said “artwork has also been proven to improve mental health and well-being” and it’s beneficial for the public to have access to art spaces and places of reflection.
Robinson was opposed to this instalment as well.
“I love artwork as much as the next person,” she said. "I just have a really hard time right now spending this kind of money on artwork.”
Although Ashe agreed with councillors praising James and his work, he did not agree with the procurement process.
Nonetheless, in the end council approved purchasing James’s work in a 3-2 vote.
Pickering votes for a LIGHTFOOT sculpture
