YORKTON - Last week in this space it was a question of what Yorkton Council might do with its second straight significant surplus which will likely raise the city’s Rainy Day Fund to about $3.4 million.
Several broad areas were brought forward for Council and community ‘food for thought’ including the potential of a legacy project – something that people can point to in the future as existing because the city had a couple of very positive years financially.
One such ‘legacy’ idea was a community art piece, referencing an undertaking that has taken place in a community to the west, that being Humboldt.
In late June people gathered at the Prairie Agricultural Machinery Institute, to unveil a tribute to the manufacturers of the Iron Triangle region — a sculpture created by Humboldt artist Tyler Dies.
In a post from the City of Humboldt, officials said: “Crafted primarily from donated parts, the piece reflects the strength of our agricultural roots and the partnerships that have driven the region’s growth. This public art project, led by the Humboldt Public Art Committee in collaboration with the Humboldt Cultural Services Department, honours the legacy of settlers, farmers and the manufacturers who helped shape the West.”
The idea of community art being aesthetically pleasing for local residents and additionally being another reason for tourists to linger is something which has been talked about in Yorkton previously.
There were local efforts to create community art – for example the one seen on the wall of what is now Carpet One Floor & Home, and the larger piece now lost that existed on the former Liquor Board Store adjacent to City Centre Park.
At the time of their creation there was hope more would be created, and in some respects that seed of an idea germinated. Dr. Brass and Columbia Schools created public art, and there are the familiar art installations on the exterior wall of the Gallagher Centre curling rink, and in the centre of Shaw Park.
But the grander vision faded.
But it remains an intriguing idea, that may well be worth rekindling.
A modest investment by the city from the surplus might be a good way to restart things -- creating a public art piece in the process – perhaps at the Tourist Centre?
Then there is the idea from Humboldt.
The idea of marking agriculture in a Saskatchewan community is never a bad one, and Yorkton certainly has its share of farm history from once being home to a ‘Bacon for Britain’ farm, to being the one time ‘turkey capital’ of the province, to the glory days of Morris Industries through to oat, flax and canola processing which are so important economically today. Would such agriculture enterprises help fund an art piece marking agriculture’s importance? It seems a question worth pursuing an answer to.
From there, there remains a number of bare business walls, an open courtyard and park areas that would easily facilitate murals and sculptures, and maybe a ‘tax incentive’ akin to that focused on business façade upgrades would kickstart those efforts.
So, just maybe community art is an idea whose time has come – again.
