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Artists walk the walk at Art Walks

Art Walk begins at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17
Timothy Laurin, Healing Circle Sculpture Commission
'Healing Circle' commissioned sculpture by Timothy Laurin. Photo provided

Who says a summer day’s walk has to be dull or commonplace? 

Not Tim Laurin, whose works will be among those on display Thursday evenings in downtown Barrie at a series of Art Walks. 

Laurin tells BarrieToday a community of artists came up with the idea of turning the downtown core into one big gallery. 

“Just like a curator will give a guided tour of an exhibition in an art gallery, we felt it was important to offer interested viewers an opportunity to get better acquainted with the works and have a forum for discussion.” 

Laurin also warns folks to expect the unexpected, which he says is twofold. 

“Firstly, the works are in non-traditional spaces, out in the public and allow the viewers to engage with art during their daily routine. Secondly, the works are multi-levelled in that they may affect the viewer upon first glance, but hopefully will allow the public the opportunity to continue thinking about the artist's intent and the role that art plays in our everyday life.”

And the Barrie artists being featured have called in help from without the city limits, namely, Toronto-based artist Max Streicher, who, Laurin says “creates large-scale inflatable sculptures that invoke enchantment, fantasy and optimism.”

According to classical mythology, Quadriga was known as the “chariot of the gods,” drawn by four majestic horses and were emblematic of triumph and victory.

“Sewn from delicate, yet strong, sail material, these charging horses announce the arrival of Barrie as a city bound for greater things in this time of rapid development and change.”

Max’s kinetic works have been exhibited internationally including countries such as; Germany, France, Spain and India.

The curator's talk will focus on why she chose the various works and how they tie into the overall mandate of the exhibition and the link to the Barrie as a city.

Then, next Thursday, Aug. 24, Tim himself will be on hand to give a talk through the perspective of another artist. Tim has created works for public spaces in the past and is, in fact, the project coordinator for this exhibition. 

He has been the technical support for all of the installations, working with each artist to realize their vision. He will also talk about some of the challenges faced when placing art outside of the traditional gallery.

The walk begins around 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 17, at the Mady Centre, 1 Dunlop St. W. To learn more, click here.


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Glenn Wilkins

About the Author: Glenn Wilkins

Glenn Wilkins, in a 30-year media career, has written for print and electronic media, as well as for TV and radio. Glenn has two books under his belt, profiling Canadian actors on Broadway and NHL coaches.
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