Artist from OCAD creating original installation
Artpark & Company has selected a cutting-edge Master of Fine Arts student from Ontario College of Art and Design to complete a working artist residency. The Working Artist Residency Program will run through July 30, with the artist living in the community and crafting his art experience on the Artpark grounds.
Michael Simon was selected to participate in WARP. His installation is titled "Jeff Bridges: It Really Ties the Park Together." The work consists of a series of wooden footpaths connecting the concrete pads in the upper park, off parking lot B. The concrete pads once served as foundations for cabins that housed working artists in residence during the early years at Artpark.
Tanis Winslow, Artpark & Company's director of visual arts and family programs, said, "When Artpark opened in 1974, it was a playground for cutting-edge artists creating new and unusual art experiences for the public, in an environment that was the first of its kind. When I think of fresh art ideas, I think of the artists coming out of grad school, creating very specific work in a very specific environment. I want to give venue to these new art ideas and give them an audience in the way that Artpark sought to when it first opened. I am delighted that this residency program is in its third season and I hope that it will continue to be an annual event at Artpark."
Artpark & Company encourages visitors and art classes to watch the artist as he creates, or to come and view the installations once complete. The working artist and installation are free to view. The artist will be on site from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays.
The installation is located in the southwest corner of Parking Lot B, in the upper park. Enter Artpark via Portage Road, and parking Lot B is straight ahead - nearest to the brick information center building.
For more information on WARP or any of Artpark's visual arts programming, visit
www.artpark.net.
