KENSINGTON, P.E.I. — The Town of Kensington will soon be adding some art in and around the gazebo located near the train station.
Council unanimously approved a proposal from the Heart of P.E.I., which is spearheaded by the Kensington Chamber of Commerce, that will include the addition of two different art pieces.
Artist Scott O’Neil of Darnley will create a painting on the inside back wall of the Gazebo on three 4x7 panels.
“It is very colourful,” Deputy Mayor Coreen Pickering said during her presentation to the town during a recent committee of council meeting. “We really felt that this captures the region that we are representing as Heart of P.E.I., which is basically Stanley Bridge to North Bedeque to New Annan and the North Shore.”
Pickering is the chairwoman of the beautification and signage committee with the Heart of P.E.I. committee. She declared a conflict of interest at the beginning of the meeting and excused herself from the discussion due to her association with the committee.
Heart of P.E.I. will cover the full amount of the $6,000 cost. O’Neil is providing in-kind services of about $1,000.
At a glance
Following is the mandate for Heart of P.E.I.:
• Benefits the destination – Kensington and area.
• Contributes to the attraction and retention of visitors.
• Expands visitor experience.
• Facilitates business opportunity to operators.
• Contributes to the sustainability of the Heart of P.E.I.
• Builds strong connections/partnerships and engages the community.
The second project, which will be completed by Malpeque Fine Iron of New Annan, includes a 3-D fiddle that will be about eight-to-nine-feet tall along with two music notes, which will be four-to-five-feet tall and will stand alone separately.
Its location will be the new deck area between the Go Fish Eatery and the gazebo.
All pieces will be finished in gloss black outdoor paint and installed by Malpeque Bay Fine Iron.
The cost is $8,500. The Heart of P.E.I. will cover $6,000, and Malpeque Bay Fine Iron will provide $1,000 of in-kind services.
Pickering said if Heart of P.E.I. has any money left over, it will go towards the outstanding $1,500.
Mayor Rowan Caseley asked council if it was prepared to go ahead with the proposals and “contribute extra funds” should the need arise. Coun. Ivan Gallant immediately answered that he would support that.
“I think it adds to the area,” he said. “I think we need to do things like this in the downtown area, and if it means an extra 25 people in the summer going down there to take pictures, it is worth it.”
Gallant suggested there may be opportunities in the future to honour individuals who have made an impact on the music scene locally.
Council unanimously agreed to cover up to $1,500, if need be.
Council also approved a design drawing of Heart of P.E.I. signs for the bottom of the town entrance signs.
The deadline for completing all three of these projects is March 31.
Jason Simmonds is a reporter with The Guardian. He can be reached by email at Jason.simmonds@theguardian.pe.ca and followed on Twitter at @JpsportsJason.
