City council has taken the first steps toward acquiring five sculptures currently adorning the plaza behind St. Albert Place.
Council on Monday sent a request to the city's public art jury to review the $260,000 purchase of five granite sculptures that were loaned to the city for the International Children's Festival.
Stewart Steinhauer, a stone sculptor with studios in Alberta and B.C., created the sculptures. Each has a First Nations theme, and they sit on the plaza by St. Albert Place near the Sturgeon River.
Steinhauer originally loaned the statues as a temporary exhibit until September, but Coun. Carol Watamaniuk told council on Monday night he is willing to sell them outright. She recommended the city begin negotiating with the artist to purchase the statues, up to a maximum of $260,000.
"I think a once in a lifetime opportunity comes along that we have to make a choice to spend money that we weren't planning on spending," she said. "Many people have connected with these sculptures."
Watamaniuk said the sculptures would need to be considered by the city's public art jury, a group of art professionals that determines if pieces are a good fit to become part of the art in public places program. Though the jury has yet to weigh in, she says the public reaction has been incredibly strong.
"I don't think I've ever seen such a response to works of art in all my years of working in art," Watamaniuk said.
Legacy
Darlene Andres was one of six people who encouraged council to consider purchasing the sculptures. She owns a Steinhauer piece of her own and said the granite pieces would be a wonderful addition for the city's collection.
"The city has been given an incredible offer," she said. "You have the opportunity to leave a legacy for the City of St. Albert, for generations to come."
Mayor Nolan Crouse questioned the maintenance needed to keep the statues in good condition, including how to anchor the granite pieces in place.
"They're as durable as anything out in the public," said Chris Jardine, general manager of protective and community services. "The basic maintenance is very inexpensive."
Crouse said he was concerned about the potential costs of permanently installing the sculptures, and asked administration to prepare a funding strategy for the sculptures along with an overview of maintenance requirements. He said he wanted to be sure the city would be financially able to give the sculptures justice.
"The main thing I want to do tonight is make sure this is on the list for the [art] jury in August," responded Watamaniuk.
If the jury gives its support, council will review the funding report on Oct. 4.
