Client: Winnipeg Arts Council

Overview

The stage occupies a prominent location in a new urban park in Transcona, a Winnipeg neighbourhood. The hard-edged physical structure takes its cues from the industrial history of Transcona while the ephemeral images lining the stage and floating above it, reflect the community’s extensive network of well-loved parks and natural spaces.

Goals

Integration of the stage into the urban park was of prime importance. The park layout was predetermined, as was the footprint of the stage structure. It was important that the stage function not only as a piece of public art but as a performance venue with good acoustics and that met accessibility requirements. Additionally, the stage had to be designed to incorporate elaborate machinery (located in the right wing of the stage) for the fountain in the forecourt.

Process

There was a high degree of collaboration required between artist, landscape architects (the prime consultant), architect, structural engineer, City of Winnipeg (owners), Transcona BIZ (client), Winnipeg Arts Council (public art funder) and the general contractor.

Additional Information

The commissioned artwork is the entire stage structure. To that end, my work included the design of the stage structure itself as a piece of public art as well as the photographic panels.