City unveils its newest art commission: Crossroads, Connections and Intersections

The City’s Art in Public Places Committee along with Mayor Don McIsaac unveiled the sculpture “Endorphin” by artist Camille Rajotte on April 20, 2023. The sculpture is one of nine works being installed across the city over the next several months as part of the “Crossroads, Connections and Intersections” collection.

For immediate release (April 20, 2023) – Today, the City of Orillia’s Art in Public Places Committee  (APPC) unveiled its newest public art commission “Crossroads, Connections and Intersections” thanks  to $331,700 in support provided by the Government of Canada through the Federal Economic  Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).  

The APPC was joined by Orillia Mayor Don McIsaac at the Orillia Recreation Centre for the unveiling  of the sculpture “Endorphin,” by artist Camille Rajotte. The sculpture is one of nine works being installed  across the city over the next several months. 

“Today’s unveiling is an important milestone for the City of Orillia’s culture and tourism sectors,” said  the Honourable Filomena Tassi, Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency  for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario). “The Government of Canada loves supporting projects like this  with the Orillia Museum of Art & History so they can showcase the talents of Canadian artists and  inspire creativity.” 

The art is located across the city along the trail network, at road intersections and gateways to Orillia,  making them accessible to explore by foot, bike or car. Each piece can be found in a different  neighbourhood, near a cluster(s) of restaurants, accommodations, shops, and activities for people to  explore. 

“Orillia is a vibrant, growing city full of arts and cultural opportunities including public art,” said  Mayor Don McIsaac. “The ‘Crossroads, Connections and Intersections’ art commission adds to these  opportunities, providing new destinations across the city for the public to explore. I would like to thank  the Government of Canada for funding this exciting commission and the Art in Public Places Committee  for all their efforts bringing this project to fruition.” 

The collection “Crossroads, Connections and Intersections” was inspired by Orillia’s strategic location  at the intersection of highways 11 and 12. Nestled along the shores of Lakes Couchiching and Simcoe  in the heart of Orillia & Lake Country, it is further connected by the Trent-Severn Waterway. 

“Orillia’s connections and intersections bring visitors and residents to our community, whether through  outdoor activities, sport, higher education or family,” said Catherine Phillips, Chair of the APPC.  “Similarly, art has the ability to connect people to new and past experiences and places. Located across  the city, the installations chosen by local juries, invite residents and visitors to experience Orillia from  an artistic lens and contribute to the discussions about the role of public art in city life.”

The collection includes the following artists, works and locations.

The unveiling at the Orillia Recreation Centre on Thursday, April 20, 2023, marks the first in a series of  installations taking place over the next few months as the partners and artists continue to work through  the logistics of the project. All of the works will be installed by June 30, 2023.  

The artwork can be explored individually or as a collection and will also be developed into a digital self guided tour, to be launched later this spring. Follow the City of Orillia on social media @CityOrillia on  Facebook and @CityofOrillia on Twitter for updates or visit orillia.ca/publicart for details on the City’s  public art program.  

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Melissa Gowanlock 

Manager of Communications 

705-330-1951 (cell) 

magowanlock@orillia.ca

Edward Hutchinson 

Press Secretary 

Office of the Minister responsible for the Federal 

Econmic Development Agency for Southern Ontario  (FedDev Ontario) 

Edward.hutchinson@feddevontario.gc.ca