Quick Links
Contact Us
We believe art should be accessible to everyone in Cambridge. We’re committed to displaying public art throughout the city to transform our cityscape, engage our communities, and highlight the values upheld within our community.
Cambridge 50th Public Art
On behalf of the City of Cambridge, the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee is commissioning Pierre Poussin to create an original public art piece as part of commemorating the 50th anniversary of the City.
This project is expected to be complete by the end of 2024.
Finalist
| Pierre Poussin |
|
The Sheave Tower Concept Statement: The Sheave Tower, an enduring beacon of innovation and discovery, stands proudly as a testament to the rich history and indomitable spirit of our region. Rooted in Ontario’s pioneering hydroelectric legacy and renowned as one of the world’s smallest hydroelectric generating sites, has left a profound impression on me. With the Cambridge Public Art competition offering a platform to celebrate its 50th Anniversary, I am driven to create a monumental landmark that pays homage to the tower’s awe- inspiring history. The concept connects the past and present, emphasizing the Sheave Tower’s significance in the area’s development. The conceptual approach revolves around a sculpture that honours the original Sheave Tower’s shape and scale. By utilizing the tower’s distinct vertical ridges and outlines, the artwork would be created to help honour the City of Cambridge’s rich heritage and pioneering spirit. Creating an open-framed sculpture would create a piece that constantly plays with dynamic contrasts of light and shadow, positive and negative space, between day and night. From every angle, it would compel the viewer’s perspectives, weaving an optical illusion that oscillates between a sense of transparency and opacity. To further enhance the open qualities of the artwork, some facades have been kept open to highlight the tower’s unique shape, outlines and frame. Opening walls also creates a much more accessible public artwork which can be accessed from numerous directions. |
A report will be provided to the Mayor and Council later this year when a final selection will be made. The awarded artist will make final revisions and installation will be scheduled in 2024. Proposed locations are subject to change based on jury's selection, required permits and discussions with artists.
For further details on the process and criteria please see the Expression of Interest.
Digital Light Projections Shows
In 2018, the City of Cambridge installed a digital projection system to display light shows on the facade of the Old Post Office building located at 12 Water Street South. These shows have quickly become a community attraction and run nightly (Thursday to Sunday) throughout the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter Holiday Season. Content is scheduled to change seasonally and is appropriate for all ages.
Thank you to the Tourism Relief Fund for the funding that allowed for new creative content that can be used now and into the future!
Tune your car radio to FM 92.5 to listen to the music that has been choreographed with the show.
Please note: Some shows may have strobe light type effects that may be disorienting to some residents.
| Content Type | Start Date | Days Running | Times |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Show | April 5 - May 19 | Thursday to Sunday | 8:00pm, 8:30pm, 9:00pm, 9:30pm |
| Summer Show | May 23 - Aug 5 | Thursday to Sunday | 9:00pm, 9:30pm |
| Best of Conestoga College Advanced Design Students Show | August 8 -Sept 1 | Thursday to Sunday | 8:30pm, 9:00pm 9:30pm |
|
Fall Show |
Sept 5 - Sept 29 | Thursday to Sunday | 7:30pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm, 9:00pm |
| Halloween Show | Oct 3 - Oct 31 | Thursday to Sunday | 7:00pm, 7:30pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm |
| Holiday Show | Nov 1 - Dec 29 | Thursday to Sunday | 7:00pm, 7:30pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm |
| Winter Show | Jan 2, 2025 - March 23 | Thursday to Sunday | 7:30pm, 8:00pm, 8:30pm. 9:00pm |
Cambridge Sculpture Garden
Located on Grand Avenue, between Main and Concession streets, the Cambridge Sculpture Garden is in the heart of downtown Galt City Centre. The garden features temporary and permanent sculptures along the river walk.
Indigena domain
In 2008, artist and winner of a national competition, Stephen Cruise, created the indigena domain public art in front of Cambridge City Hall. This piece of work is a polished granite sculpture, honouring the founding communities of Galt, Preston, Hespeler and Blair.
Public Art Policy
In 2010, the City of Cambridge approved the Public Art Policy. The Policy includes starting a Public Art Reserve Fund through contributions equal to one per cent of capital construction budgets.
River Walk
In 2011, the Region of Waterloo, the cities of Kitchener, Waterloo and Cambridge, the Cambridge Sculpture Garden and the Cambridge Libraries and Galleries started a joint project called Extraordinary Spaces. The project is a series of brochures about public art locations across the Region. Working closely with the local company Design Changes, the project produced the River Walk brochure from local residents and visitors to enjoy some of Cambridge's public art.