Should businesses get involved in the future of Kelowna’s public art?

By Cole Deakin

KELOWNA – The City of Kelowna is home to more than 60 pieces of public art that range from murals and banners to sculptures and works integrated into local streetscapes. All of these pieces are paid for by Kelowna taxpayers.

Only a handful of community artworks in the city are commissioned by the private sector.

Natalay Nagy, Executive Director of the Kelowna Art Gallery, says it’s time for businesses to buck up and contribute more to the city’s public art scene.

“Having businesses support public art in our communities is extremely good for business,” she says. “It’s fantastic for our city […] just imagine how bland it would be if we only had glass and steel and concrete.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "Having businesses support public art in our communities is extremely good for business," she says. "It's fantastic for our city […] just imagine how bland it would be if we only had glass and steel and concrete."

A 450 kilogram, all metal structure of a mule deer was recently unveiled at a downtown office building. It’s an example of public art purchased by the private sector.

“As a company, it’s nice to be able to participate in providing something for the community,” says Ted Callahan, President of Argus Properties.

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "As a company, it's nice to be able to participate in providing something for the community," says Ted Callahan, President of Argus Properties.

Callahan purchased the statue and his company also paid for a bear and cub sculpture that sits on the Eldorado Hotel Boardwalk.

Both art works were created by Braden Kefluk of Enderby.

“I had the deer on display in Enderby. The city had put it on the highway in front of City Hall,” said Kefluk. “Ted’s associates contacted me and asked if it was available.”

Kefluk is working on another sculpture of a moose, which he’ll be releasing in the spring.

Nagy wishes more businesses would follow the public art example of Argus Properties.

“It could certainly be a lot better,” she said. “We can work to promote the assets of art in businesses in our community.”

Nagy says it’s not just businesses in the community who could be more involved in public art, so too could residents.

The City is seeking public input into where future community artworks should be placed in Kelowna. It’s also asking people if they’re happy with the current pieces of public art, or if they’d like to see something of a different nature.

Residents are invited to provide input through the City’s online engagement tool at getinvolved.kelowna.ca. Participants will be able to give their feedback until Nov. 27.