Council puts off sculpture decision

Cramahe Council will not be following the recommendation of its Community Development Officer, Rebecca Goddard-Sarria, regarding a new sculpture in the village of Colborne - at least not for now.

Ms. Goddard-Sarria supported a proposal from the Colborne Art Gallery to place a 10-foot-tall yellow sculpture in front of the gallery on King St. E. The sculpture, by artist Claus Heinecke, is part of the gallery's plan to draw people into the former Regisrty Office.

Mr. Heinecke explained to council that the sculpture was part of a gallery
initiative to increase its profile and create something that didn’t “fade into the textural background”.

The gallery has applied for $10,000 funding from the Northumberland CFDC Local Initiatives Program to finance the installation of the entwined columns. The work is being donated by Mr. Heinecke.

In her written report to Council the Community Development Officer stated that Works Director Barry Thrasher had no problems with sight lines from Victory Lane. Chief Guilding Official Natalie Moroz-Cornell could identify no issues with the proposal to place the art on the boulevard in front of the gallery.

An August 4 letter from the gallery membership states "For the gallery it will be an attention-getting image, while the town will gain a piece of street art to enhance the look of its main street."

While the report from Ms. Goddard-Sarria supported the installation, it was unclear whether council did. The question had councillors walking a tightrope, not wanting to offend the artist or the members of Heritage Cramahe.

Councillors were quick to compliment the talents of the artist, but equally eager to give credence to any possible concerns of neighbours and the Heritage Cramahe Committee.

Councillor Pat Westrope was the first to enter the discussion, asking if the neighbours had been consulted.

Ms. Goddard-Sarria admitted she was not aware of they they had.

Councillor Ed Van Egmond questioned whether Heritage Cramahe had been consulted about the proposed addition to the front of the designated building.

Ms. Goddard-Sarria was not aware of that either.

Councillor Van Egmond praised the work of the artist and said it would be an honour to have his work somewhere in the village. He doesn't believe the front of the gallery is the place.

Mr. Heinecke explained that the gallery members wanted to attract visitors but not with a bold blaring sign. The proposed work will not please everyone, he agreed, but it is not offensive;it's decorative.

Couoncillor Westrope wanted it known that she was not against art, but more concerned about being a good neighbour.

The artist said that Heritage Cramahe was aware of the proposal and he didn't think the group was opposed.

That assertion was called into question by Roseanne Quinn, a member of Heritage Cramahe and curator of the heritage room housed in the building. Ms. Quinn stated this was her first knowledge of the project. She added that Heritage Cramahe Chair, Lenna Broatch, who was sitting next to her, had heard nothing before.

Mayor Marc Coombs told the artists that he thought the idea of a sculpture was wonderful and thanked them for seeking the funding to pay for the project. He suggested they should consult Heritage Cramahe and the neighbours.

Later, in the public question period resident, Eileen Milley suggested there should
be an avenue for public input. She was certain there would be some in the community who would feel the proposed sculpture did not match the look of the community.

Cramahe resident Andrew Keogh proposed that the artists provide other sketches and options. He wondered if passersby might be distracted by the work and become involved in traffic accidents.

The artists were asked to go to the heritage group and the neighbours for consultation. Council deferred any decision until that is done.