Oshawa is putting art front and centre this summer with a series of new public installations, student showcases, and an upcoming call for artists that highlights the city’s growing creative community.
A new temporary public art installation has been unveiled along the Joseph Kolodzie Oshawa Creek Bike Path, featuring original artworks created by Durham College Fine Art students. The pieces were developed through the Community Collaboration course as part of the TeachingCity program, a partnership between the City of Oshawa and local post-secondary institutions.
The student artworks are now displayed on wayfinding signs along the popular trail, offering residents and visitors a chance to experience local creativity while enjoying one of Oshawa’s most scenic outdoor spaces. The timing of the installation coincides with Recreation and Parks Month, an annual celebration that promotes the benefits of recreation and parks for physical, social, and environmental health.
The TeachingCity project gave students a meaningful opportunity to showcase their artistic talent while celebrating Oshawa’s green spaces. Participants toured the bike path to gather inspiration from the natural surroundings before submitting proposals designed to highlight the city’s parks and trail systems. The exhibited artworks were created by Bryn Baker, Geneviève Pitt, Owen Macmillan, Regan Haina, and Sean Barton.
In addition to the trail installation, the City of Oshawa and Oshawa Tourism have issued a Call for Artists seeking submissions for a temporary exhibition at Veteran’s Square during the upcoming Convergence Music and Art Festival. The festival takes place on the last weekend of summer, September 19 and 20, and celebrates the heart and soul of the community through music, art, and immersive experiences.
Up to five artists will be selected to participate in the temporary exhibition at Veterans Square during the festival. Selected artists will have a reproduction of their work presented during the event, giving them valuable exposure to a large and diverse audience. The theme for this year’s submissions is “We Gather, We Remember, We Belong,” reflecting the community-focused spirit of the festival. The submission deadline is June 12.
Adding to the excitement, the city’s first independent sculpture commission will also be unveiled during Convergence. Titled Kaleidoscope and created by artist Nicholas Crombach, the sculpture represents a significant milestone for public art in Oshawa and demonstrates the city’s commitment to investing in its cultural landscape.
Artists interested in applying for the Convergence exhibition can find detailed information about application requirements, selection criteria, and eligibility at oshawa.ca/ArtistCalls.
