Town hall in Thornbury will continue to serve as a gallery for local art.
At its committee of the whole meeting on Feb. 27, The Blue Mountains council approved a plan to continue the Municipal Art Program, which displays works by local artists at various locations around the municipal office in both public and private spaces of the building.
The town has had the program since 2012 and it was originally run by a volunteer committee, with assistance from town staff. For the past several years, the town has farmed the responsibilities for the program out to The Blue Mountains Public Library.
In a report to council, CAO Shawn Everitt said town staff suggested the idea of the program coming back under the umbrella of the town during the 2022 annual goals and objectives process. Everitt said he reached out to library CEO Dr. Sabrina Saunders about the town resuming responsibility for the program and she was supportive of the move.
“We don’t envision this to be any additional cost,” said Everitt.
Council unanimously supported the resolution to make the change and express the town’s gratitude to the library board for all its hard work during the program.
“This is all part of the evolution of a growing town. The art is really quite compelling. I really do enjoy it,” said Coun. Paula Hope.
Coun. June Porter said the program is an excellent opportunity for the local artistic community.
“It adds an opportunity for our artists to showcase their work,” she said.
