NEWS RELEASE
INNISFIL IDEALAB AND LIBRARY
*********************************
Ice Hut Art will be returning to Innisfil! Last winter, the Town of Innisfil and the Innisfil ideaLAB & Library, in partnership with local ice fishing hut operator Gail’s Hotbox Ice Huts, collaborated on a public art installation that located an array of vibrant ice huts throughout Innisfil. Once again, individual artists or artists’ collectives to, will be invited to transform wooden structures into engaging, and thought-provoking pieces of art for the 2022-23 winter season.
We are excited to announce that this new Ice Hut Art project will be funded by the County of Simcoe 2022 Tourism, Culture and Sport Enhancement Fund. These new huts will form an outdoor art gallery in Innisfil Beach Park while the huts of 2021-22 will be located directly on ice at Gail’s Hot Box Ice Huts.
The Ice Hut public art project was created to connect residents to their community and our shared history and to highlight the importance of Lake Simcoe Innisfil and the surrounding areas. With an emphasis on supporting the local arts community, the Ice Hut Art project shines a spotlight on local talent. Not only will this project promote local tourism, but it will encourage a family-friendly Canadian pastime.
“One thing is certain, Innisfil is a gem in Simcoe County, and I look forward to once again turning our community into an outdoor art gallery. The Ice Hut Art is just another reason to explore your own backyard,” said Mayor Lynn Dollin. “I eagerly look forward to watching the arts continue to grow in our community. Projects like the Ice Hut Art that bring together community, creativity and connection are vital to community well being.”
The call for artists application process opens on Tuesday, May 24, 2022, and will provide an opportunity to inspire the creative community and residents alike. Eligibility will focus on local artists from the municipality and wider Simcoe County area. Members of the BIPOC, 2SLGBTQQIA+, Indigenous, Senior, and Youth communities are encouraged to apply. We are hoping to include a diverse blend of participants and designs. A jury, comprised of citizens from a variety of community partners, will announce the successful artists in early July and artists will paint their structures on-site at a designated location August through September; completed designs will be on display in November. For more information and how to submit, visit Ice Hut Art.
An artist information session will be held, virtually, on Tuesday, June 1, 2022 at 7 p.m. For details and to register, click here.
Opportunities for safe community building experiences were identified by Innisfil residents as a top priority of Innisfil’s Community Needs Assessment. The needs assessment identified a number of areas necessary for pandemic recovery, and has been the baseline for creating numerous projects and initiatives to support the community over the past two years. By investing in the health and vibrancy of the community, this project addresses issues of social isolation, belonging, mental health, and well-being in a post-pandemic environment.
About the County of Simcoe 2022 Tourism, Culture and Sport Enhancement Fund
The County of Simcoe 2022 Tourism, Culture and Sport Enhancement Fund is a program aiming to enhance existing tourism, culture, and sport projects throughout the county. The County of Simcoe has approved 87 successful applications totalling more than $485,000 through the 2022 Tourism, Culture and Sport Enhancement Fund.
Visit Experience Simcoe County to see the other funding recipients.
*********************************
