Local residents in the small community of Big Bay, located in Georgian Bluffs, have come together to support public arts initiatives in their community. With a focus on the Big Bay public dock, and surrounding “downtown” area, the group hopes to raise funds in support of public sculpture during 2019 and are planning for comfort infrastructure in 2020.

Forming a collective of residents known as Big Bay Arts, the group are launching the initiative with a public concert in Keppel Croft Gardens on Sunday August 25, from noon until 5pm. The event is entry by donation, and the group plan to have local food and drink available for sale to support their fundraising efforts. Bruce County musicians Our Shotgun Wedding and the Patrick Main Band will headline, with local residents showing off their musical talents in between.

Big Bay resident and artist Gary Eden will be hosting visiting artists from Mexico City, in support of the initiative. “We have a community of globally acclaimed artists here in Big Bay” Eden said, referencing neighbours Allen Smutylo, artist and playwright, eco artist and sculptor Christian Bernard Singer, as well as local painters Lorne Wagman and Vera Dernovsek, to name a few. “… our public spaces should reflect the caliber of talent we have here”.

Joined by Nicole Egan to spearhead the initiative, the pair are looking forward to putting the final pieces of planning behind them and launching the initiative and wider community engagement. The two collaborated in 2018 in bringing international muralists to Paisley, in support of the community’s artistic river village identity. 

“Big Bay is an incredible community, and I feel so lucky to be a part of it.” Egan said. Commenting on the influx of tourism that continues to grow, she noted “With our seasonal population constantly increasing I thought why not do something that engages our permanent, part time and even visiting community to the benefit of us all? The Township of Georgian Bluffs has been incredibly supportive, we’re really looking forward to continuing to engage with them as improvements are done to the dock area.”

source: media release