Cobourg is rehoming a piece of artwork.
Growing Wild, an artwork developed locally by artists from Oshawa, was recently brought to the town for purchase.
Based on former Committee of Art and Public Spaces (CAPS), there was money put aside for artwork commissions. There was a 1% allocation of selected capital projects to the arts reserve. In 2019, it was reduced to a fixed amount. Municipal Clerk, Brent Larmer, approached council to purchase the piece developed by coupled artists Julian Brown and Amy Shackleton.
We reached out to Amy Shackleton, who told us more. “The artwork was originally created at the Art Gallery of Northumberland during the Northumberland Festival of the Arts (NFOTA) in 2022. Throughout its creation, visitors were invited to watch the mural and augmented reality components taking shape. After completion, it was displayed on an exterior wall in the downtown core for a one-year period in partnership with the AGN, the Town of Cobourg, Downtown Cobourg BIA, Lakefront Utility Services, and a local landlord. Now, we’re delighted that the Town of Cobourg has decided to acquire the piece, and it will soon find a new, permanent home at the CCC!”
During town council, Municipal Clerk Brent Larmer was willing to break conventions to get the piece.
Staff negotiated $5,200, with installation fees expected on top. Larmer says more about the idea.
Larmer is referring to the Butterfly Wing banners at the Rotary Harbourfront Park.
Amy Shackleton wrote us more.
“While we’ve collaborated with the City of Oshawa and various public galleries and museums before, this marks our first acquisition by a municipality. We’re currently doing a little happy dance! It’s truly heartening to see such strong support for the arts in Cobourg. Numerous individuals have reached out to express their appreciation for the artwork over the last year, and now, they can continue to enjoy it for years to come.”
Council moved forward with the motion to purchase the artwork and rehome it.
Written by: Noah Lorusso