Art in the city: Icons or eyesores? 

Part of a series of forums that Douglas College is hosting in partnership with SFU and the City of New Westminster. The goal of these forums is to provide an occasion for frank discussion on important issues facing urban and suburban communities, to both inform and learn from academics, practitioners, and citizens. The origins of public art date back to antiquity, and the value of art in the public sphere has been debated ever since. The same piece can both inspire and draw ire. With so much controversy surrounding public art, it begs the question: does public art enhance our city, or is it a blight on the urban landscape?

Welcome: John Fleming, Dean, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (Douglas College).

Moderator: Dr. Darcy Cutler, Humanities and Social Sciences (Douglas College). Darcy has been a faculty member at Douglas for 15 years and has taught the Philosophy of Art for at least that long. Along with two colleagues, he recently took 25 students to Florence, Italy on one of Douglas College’s International Field Schools where they spent three weeks studying Florentine art and architecture.

Panelists: Mary Trentadue, City Councillor (City of New Westminster). Recently re-elected to the city, she’s currently serving her second term. Mary also serves on several of the City’s Arts Committees, including the Arts Commission, the Arts Council, the Art Strategy Task Force, the Massey Theatre Society Liaison, and the Public Art Advisory Committee. She’s part of many passionate and exciting conversations on this topic. (4:10) Dr. Julian Brooks, Humanities and Social Sciences (Douglas College). A professor in the History department at Douglas College and faculty member at SFU, he has 20 years teaching experience both at secondary and post-secondary levels. He began his teaching career as an English instructor in the Republic of Macedonia and Greece. He recently took a group of students from both SFU and Douglas College on Douglas College’s International Field School to Greece. He will be speaking on history perspectives of public art and the related controversies. (18:23) Q&A with panelists (33:00)