Artist Selected for Riverwood – Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150) Public Art

The City of Mississauga has commissioned artist Marc Fornes and his studio THEVERYMANY to create a permanent public art sculpture at Riverwood entitled Pine Sanctuary in celebration of Canada’s 150th anniversary.

The artwork will be installed at the entrance to the park and is part of the overall rehabilitation of Riverwood. The public art installation and Riverwood upgrades were supported with a grant of up to $745,630 from the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario’s Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program (CIP 150).

“Pine Sanctuary will be a recognizable landmark that reflects the natural and cultural heritage of Mississauga,” said Mayor Bonnie Crombie. “This extraordinary sculpture, made possible with the generous support of our federal partners, will encourage new visitors as well as those who call Mississauga home, to get out and explore all that our city has to offer.”

An open Call to Artists was issued in early 2016. Fornes and THEVERMANY were selected by an Art Selection Committee along with public input to create the piece.

“Riverwood is a perfect location for our newest public art piece. It was identified as an area that provides cultural value and a rich opportunity for interpretation through public art in the City’s Public Art Master Plan,” said Councillor Ron Starr, Ward 6.

“The City of Mississauga contributed approximately $854,370 to the overall Riverwood project which also included repairs and accessibility upgrades to the Chappell House and fire safety standard improvements to the Visual Arts Mississauga Building,” said Janice Baker, City Manager and Chief Administrative Officer.

The City of Mississauga was awarded up to $2.1 million in Government of Canada funding for 25 infrastructure rehabilitation projects in Intake 1. The approved City Intake 1 projects include:

• the rehabilitation of 14 trails;
• nine playgrounds; and
• two specific renovation projects at Lake Aquitaine Park and Riverwood.

“The Canada 150 Community Infrastructure Program will preserve and improve our community infrastructure, so that Canadians and their families can enjoy moments of art, culture, sport, and leisure for years to come. I am proud to see Riverwood benefit from this program,” said Omar Alghabra, Member of Parliament for Mississauga Centre.

CIP 150 will allow Canadians to enjoy upgraded community facilities such as parks, trails, cultural and community centres. The program will also help to create a lasting legacy as Canada prepares to celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017.

The artwork will be installed in July 2017.

About the Artist

About Riverwood

Riverwood is an environmentally and culturally significant natural area in Mississauga. It is home to the Chappell Estate and the offices of The Riverwood Conservancy (TRC) and Visual Arts Mississauga (VAM). Other amenities include trails, gardens, woodlands, wildlife habitats and views of the Credit River which runs through the site.