Public Art Opportunity: Request for Expressions of Interest Royal Botanical Gardens, Hendrie Gardens, Oak Allée 4 Commissions Available

The Dan Lawrie International Sculpture Collection (DLISC) invites professional artists to submit Expressions of Interest to create a permanent public artwork to be installed in the Oak Allée located in the Royal Botanical Gardens’ (RBG) Hendrie Garden.

Artwork Location 
Royal Botanical Gardens is located at the western tip of Lake Ontario. Four distinct formal gardens are contained with 1,100 hectares of nature reserve, nestled into the slopes of Niagara Escarpment World Biosphere Reserve. The ever-changing seasons, blooms, and natural phenomenon make each visit a new experience. Explore and enjoy the many historical outdoor plant collections, the indoor Mediterranean Garden, and 27 km of nature trails. 

Hendrie Park features a variety of interesting landscape features including the newly renovated Medicinal Garden and the revamped SesquiCentennial Rose Garden, which features superior-genetics cold hardy hybrid tea roses, a wide array of perennial companion plants, and the history of roses interpreted walk. In the center of the Rose Garden are a pair a reflecting-pools that provide a beautiful canvass for hardy and tropical water lilies. 

The Oak Allée is the primary entry point to Hendrie Park. This 250-foot artery breaks off into multiple pathways that lead visitors to the distinct gardens within Hendrie, the central reflecting pools, rose garden and tea house. As RBG explores its Master Plan, it envisions substantive change to current gardens that will become a compendium known as Showcase Gardens. This concept will carry through the current Oak Allée to become a more open central plaza incorporating water features, gathering and seating space, and places to reflect. 

Oak Allée Artwork Commissions 
DLISC is seeking 4 artworks that will be mounted on above-grade plinths. Each plinth will be approximately 30” x 30” x 30”, consisting of a concrete block, painted steel shell and mount. This display method will allow the works to be moved throughout the gardens during events, renovation periods, and to accommodate the organically changing nature of the RBG grounds. 

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