digital artwork display 2026
The City of Pickering invites artists or artist teams to apply to provide a digital art display at the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex (CHDRC), utilizing one or a combination of the following themes:
Welcoming, Safe and Healthy Communities
Connection and Innovation
Environmental Stewardship and Resiliency
Sport and Recreation
This temporary placemaking opportunity will aim to create a sense of joy and excitement for residents and visitors to the CHDRC. This activation will be displayed utilizing digital art re-produced, printed and mounted into preexisting frames. One artist/team will be selected by the City of Pickering to create the digital artwork which will then be submitted for production and installation by the City. Pre-existing digital work that meets the criteria of this opportunity will be considered.
Site Context
This placemaking opportunity will be located on the main floor of the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex (1867 Valley Farm Rd, Pickering, ON L1V 6K7) utilizing the display rack and preexisting frames located within the facilities lobby.
Project Brief
These digital art placemaking pieces are intended to be created by a digital artist(s). The City of Pickering will commission one artist/teams for the creation of 12-15 digital works. The size and exact number of display frames used will be determined between the City and the selected artist/teams. The created work will create a sense of joy and excitement for residents and visitors. Original and/or pre-existing work will be considered.
The City will coordinate production and installation of the 12-15 digital prints, utilizing their current inventory of display frames for the commission. The final designs provided by the selected artists will need to work with in these dimensions. Frames can be mounted vertically or horizontally to accommodate designs. The current inventory of display frames includes: Nine (9) 40″ x 27″, Eight (8) 36″ x 24″, Four (4) 20″ x 16″.
The display rail system in place is divided into three sections along two adjacent walls for a total of 60 feet of rail.
Selection Process
A selection committee comprised of city staff will be established for the evaluation of the placemaking proposals. This is a one stage competition. One artist/team will be awarded the commission.
The selection committee will recommend artists or artistic team for the award of the available commission based on the following criteria:
Artistic merit, including quality of work, originality, and artistic excellence.
Adhesion to location and expressed desire in this project; and,
Artist’s demonstrated ability and proposal feasibility to meet the artwork goals and technical requirements, within the set timeline and budget.
Anticipated Schedule
Week of July 10, 2026 – Artists Design Submission Deadline
Week of July 17, 2026 – Review and Revisions (if applicable)
Week of July 24, 2026 – Digital Artwork Production – City
August to October 2026** – Planned Digital Artwork Installed – City