The City of Lethbridge is inviting artists to participate in a three stage public art competition. The winning
submission will receive a commission to create and install a public art work on site at the Southern Alberta Art
Gallery in conjunction with the grand re-opening of its newly renovated spaces. The Southern Alberta Art Gallery (incorporated as a non-profit society in 1974) is located in Lethbridge (population 85,492) and has occupied a city-owned building since the first exhibition in 1976. A dedicated staff have sustained and fueled the gallery’s mandate: to foster the work of contemporary artists who challenge boundaries, encourage broad public engagement and promote awareness and exploration of artistic expression. The Southern Alberta Art Gallery's work extends to local, national and international communities.
Artists from around the world, across the country and our own hometown present a comprehensive range of
ideas, subject matter and media within the context of contemporary art. The gallery offers a wide array of
educational and public programming including children and teen art classes, professional development workshops
for artists, and programs targeted toward seniors and the business community. Our Gallery School program, in
which our exhibitions play a central role, offers a wide array of curriculum-based programs in language arts, social
studies, the sciences and the fine arts.
In March 2009 the Southern Alberta Art Gallery broke ground on a major renovation intended to vastly improve
public spaces such as the library and classroom while providing much needed mechanical, technical and aesthetic
upgrades. Originally a public library, the gallery has two main spaces – the Carnegie building erected in 1922 and
the modern addition in 1951. Neither were designed for the specific purposes of a contemporary art gallery
making the present renovation of particular significance. In conjunction with the current renovations, the City of
Lethbridge is pleased to oversee the planning, development and installation of a substantial public art project. The
winning commission will be announced as part of the celebrations taking place during the grand re-opening of the
gallery.
Eligibility
The competition is open to regional, national and international artists.
Site Considerations
The site for this commission encompasses a glazed alcove at the Northeast corner of the main gallery. Sealed off
from the interior, this 5’ x 10’8” x 10’ space is floor to ceiling glass on two sides that extend into Galt Gardens, a
formal, manicured downtown parkland. Galt Gardens also contains a performance amphitheatre surrounded by
pergola as well as Rotary Centennial Plaza, a significant water feature. The Southern Alberta Art Gallery is located
in the gardens.
Though the commission could be housed in the alcove itself, artists are not confined to this space and are
encouraged to think of issues of site more broadly. The alcove may provide a point of departure in dialogue with
elements that may also be installed in (or in relation to) the immediate and surrounding areas within Galt Gardens.
Artists are encouraged to consider the multiple contexts within which this public art work will be experienced.
These include: the site, the gallery, the gardens and/or subjects related to contemporary art discourse, practice
and theory (i.e. public art, sculptural practice, institutional critique, etc.).
This location presents a number of interesting challenges and opportunities. For one, the alcove boasts the atypical
condition of being a sealed, interior space, free from the elements and public vandalism, and viewable only from
the exterior. The alcove will be a secure space with power available, thus opening up the possibility for electrical
equipment like projectors, DVD players, audio equipment, general lighting and other applications. For proposals
that choose to incorporate exterior elements consideration must be given to security, environmental conditions
and other installation logistics.
For more information email Suzanne Lint - suzanne@artslethbridge.org
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