The City of Markham engages the community to develop Markham’s first-ever five-year Public Art Master Plan, Making Our Markham, by hosting a workshop this spring in partnership with York Region Arts Council and YSpace.
Whether you’re a cultural enthusiast or just getting started, Markham’s public art collection has something that everyone can appreciate. From paintings to sculptures and more, these unique and original works of art beautify Markham’s public spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy at their leisure.
“Art has the power to transform spaces and influence our thoughts and actions,” says Mayor Frank Scarpitti. “Markham is a cultural hub and this Public Art Program is key to sharing Markham’s unique story, a community with rich deep roots, built on a solid foundation of those who came before us and the many who now call Markham home. These are your neighbourhoods and this is your heritage, let’s connect to our past, our future and to each other and appreciate the many blessings we all share.”
Public art was identified as a priority in Markham’s Integrated Leisure Master Plan, Culture Plan, Public Realm Strategy and Markham’s Official Plan as a means of demonstrating the unique character of the city’s neighbourhoods, heritage districts and business areas, enhancing public spaces, defining gateways, creating landmarks, recognizing local culture identity and engaging the public.
Through Markham’s Public Art Program, five major public art works by professional artists have made a permanent home in Markham since 2013:
- Cloudflower by Douglas Gordon at the Cornell Community Centre and Library
- Gambrel Journey by kipjones at the Markham Museum
- Quarry by Mary Anne Barkhouse by Toogood Pond
- William Berczy monument by Marlene Hilton Moore at Berczy Square
- Benjamin Thorne monument by Les Drysdale at the Thornhill Community Centre and Library
