The City of Pickering invites artists or artist teams to submit proposals for a small-scale permanent sculpture commemorating Sigrid Squire. The work will be installed inside the Bicentennial Garden (located at 1867 Valley Farm Road) in Pickering. The artwork is to draw inspiration from Ms. Squire’s favorite flower, the peony. One artist/team will be commissioned by The City of Pickering to create the work.

The City of Pickering resides on land within the Treaty and traditional territory of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation and Williams Treaties signatories of the Mississauga and Chippewa Nations. 

Photo of the Bicentennial Garden (located at 1867 Valley Farm Road) in Pickering

Pickering Horticultural Society will be consulted on choosing the exact location for the artwork to ensure it complements their previous work. The City of Pickering will be responsible for any costs associated with the mounting of the work and the base. 

About Ms. Sigrid Squire 

Ms. Sigrid Squire is a distinguished resident of Pickering who has devoted her time and contributed in many ways to the beautification of the City of Pickering through the Pickering Horticultural Society. Ms. Squire has had a remarkable 20-year tenure as a dedicated member of the Pickering Horticultural Society, during which she held the position of president for four years. Ms. Squire generously donated her time as the editor of Peony Post, a publication affiliated with the Pickering Horticultural Society, and also contributed to the Pickering Blooms Garden Showcase as a judge and mentor. In 2011, Ms. Squire received a Civic Award from the City of Pickering for her significant individual volunteer work. Ms. Squire and the Pickering Horticultural Society designed and planted the Bicentennial Garden (located at 1867 Valley Farm Road in Pickering) in 2011 as part of the entry and to commemorate Pickering’s 200th anniversary.

The City of Pickering’s Cultural Strategic Plan (2014) outlines the City’s commitment to collaborate with the community to celebrate our cultural diversity, heritage and the arts; to sustain our natural environment; to foster a creative economy; and to strengthen our vibrant neighborhoods.

This public art piece is to be created as a tribute to the remarkable achievements of Ms. Sigrid Squire to the City of Pickering. The selected artist will be able to refine their initial concept after consultation with Mr. Sigrid Squire and the Pickering Horticultural Society. The work is permanent. The City of Pickering will be seeking to purchase the work and assume full ownership. This small-scale public art will act as a marker and a token of appreciation from the City of Ms. Sigrid Squire. 

$10,000 CAD including HST (maximum)*. This is the total amount available for the commission of this permanent public artwork. All related expenses of this project including, but not limited to: up to 2 rounds of revisions, artist fees, all applicable taxes, detailed renderings, materials, community consultations and schedules or other expertise as required (engineering review), insurance, equipment, travel to meetings and to the site, and an artist statement for completed work.

*Funding pending approval of the 2025 Budget.

The selected artist will enter into a written agreement with the City of Pickering following the approval of the acquisition of the public art. This agreement will address the artist's obligations, which include, but are not limited to:

• Materials

• Timeline

• Installation

• Maintenance and conservation plans

• Warranty

• Copyright, Intellectual Property and Moral Rights

• Payments to sub-contractors

It is expected that the commissioned artist(s) will comply with the project’s general timeline dates, as stated below:

*Schedule is subject to change

Technical Specifications

1. This call is primarily targeting new site-specific work suitable for outdoor all-season weather.
2. The work is to be inspired by the peony flower.
3. The work must be mechanically fastened onto a concrete base provided by the City and not cause harm to passersby.
4. The work may be installed vertically along the ground, however, please note that if it’s too low it might affect ground seasonal maintenance.
5. The work is to be inclusive, engaging and create a positive feeling.
6. The work may incorporate components; however, this should not add further to maintenance and durability.

Technical Requirements

1. The work must be durable, and able to withstand unpredictable all-season weather conditions and physical contact by the public.
2. There is a circuit monitoring Esplanade Park and Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex, however there is no overnight security in the space. Installations must be robust, and able to be installed in a public space. The artwork will be actively monitored with daily visual inspections conducted by City Staff, including weekends, as well as intermittent security patrols by the City’s Security team.
3. Based on the proposal the work must be secured directly on to a base provided by the city. The selected artist is to provide the design on the required base. This will be delivered at the City’s expense.
4. Artists will need to be willing to work with the project team, including Ms. Sigrid Squire and the Pickering Horticultural Society on the design, installation, maintenance and addressing safety concerns.
5. The installation should comply with safety and accessibility design standards where possible.
6. Artist(s) must be able to set-up and provide clear instructions for City staff to install/deinstall the work for future uses (if applicable). City staff will be present during installation.
7. Selected artists will be expected to provide proof of general liability insurance while on site.

Selection Process

A public art jury comprised of practicing arts professionals, Cultural Advisory Committee Members and project stakeholders will be established for the evaluation of the proposals. This is a one stage competition. One artist will be awarded the commission.

The Jury will recommend an artist or artistic team for the award of the commission based on the following criteria:

1. Artistic merit, including quality of work, originality, and artistic excellence in the field of outdoor temporary/permanent art.
2. Adhesion to location and expressed desire in this project; and,
3. Artist’s demonstrated ability and proposal feasibility to meet the artwork goals and technical requirements, within the set timeline and budget.

The City of Pickering reserves the right to select and retain the artist deemed most appropriate for the project at its sole discretion.

Complete your RFP submission.

Accessibility

The City will provide accommodations throughout the selection process to applicants with disabilities. Please notify Stoyan Barakov, Curator, Public Art at 289.200.7829 or sbarakov@pickering.ca of the nature of any accommodation(s) that you may require in respect of any materials or processes used to ensure your equal participation.

The City of Pickering, at its sole discretion, may request clarification or request additional information, as deemed necessary to evaluate the submissions. The City retains the sole discretion to determine whether a submission is responsive and if the prospective Artist or Artist Team is capable of performing the Work. The City reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to determine the number of pre-qualified Artists or Artist Teams. The City reserve the right to not proceed with awarding a contract.

Publication of Information

The City of Pickering shall have the exclusive rights to issue all public announcements regarding the competition.

Additional Information

For any additional information or questions please contact: Stoyan Barakov, Curator, Public Art at 289.200.7829 or sbarakov@pickering.ca