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East Gwillimbury to install its first permanent public artwork

Holding Hope is scheduled to be completed and installed by 2025 in Children of Peace Park
Holding Hope
Holding Hope is an art piece due to be installed at Children of Peace park by 2025.

East Gwillimbury is poised to install its first permanent public art piece in Children of Peace Park.

The installation of Holding Hope, created by blacksmith Kyle Thornley, has been approved by East Gwillimbury council following a call for design proposals earlier this year and selection process of 13 submissions by the arts and culture advisory committee, according to a town news release.

In July, the town and the arts and culture advisory committee launched the “Which Art in the Park” poll to assist with the selection, with 384 people voting and 267 people selecting Holding Hope as their preferred concept.

“Celebrating the arts and creativity in our community are key factors in building a culture of municipal excellence," says Mayor Virginia Hackson. “Holding Hope is a truly remarkable piece, that represents our town’s rich history through art. I commend our arts and culture advisory committee, staff, and our partners for their efforts to bring forward opportunities that allow us to celebrate art in EG. I also thank everyone who participated in the process and voted for their preferred Art in the Park.”

Thornley, who has created art using metal for the past 18 years, describe the piece as being "offered to encourage feelings of curiosity, gratitude, delight, and well-being as it celebrates and keeps the stories of the past and inspires hope for the future."

The cost to create the piece is $90,000, which will be funded by the public art reserve, which has been established using development charges with no cost to the taxpayer, the town states.

The piece is scheduled to be completed and installed in Children of Peace Park by 2025.

To learn more about Holding Hope, visit www.eastgwillimbury.ca/artsandculture