The public is invited to the launch of the Art in Public Places Committee’s new exhibit “Mechanics of Life” opening on June 9, 2022 at 5:30 p.m. at the Orillia Recreation Centre (ORC), located at 255 West St. S.
As the community recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic, Orillia’s new Recreation Centre is back in full swing and with that the Stack Gallery, the City’s exciting new public art space, is undergoing a spring transformation with the installation of a new exhibition entitled “Mechanics of Life.”
“We are thrilled to have this wonderful tribute to the Orillia Recreation Centre site’s industrial past as a backdrop for new and emerging art within our City,” said Mayor Steve Clarke. “The Stack Gallery is an innovative use of space that carries a lot of symbolism and meaning for our community. The work and lessons of the past can help us build a solid foundation for future growth and creative expression lessons.”
Many of the walls within the ORC, including the Stack Gallery, are made of blackened steel as an homage to the area’s manufacturing routes. Building on this architectural feature, alongside wellness and recreation, artists were invited to express what “Mechanics of Life” meant to them.
The exhibit was juried by the Art in Public Places Committee and features eight original works of art by artists from the Orillia area.
“It is always exciting and rewarding to see the final works,” said Catherine Phillips, Chair of the Art in Public Places Committee. “Particularly set against the stunning steel walls of the gallery.”
| Exhibit Artists | Title of Work |
| Jon Oelrichs | Portland #5 |
| Dan Kehoe | Industrial Evolution |
| Carol Deimling | The Swimmer |
| Carol Deimling | Grand and Steel Staircase |
| James McKee | The Ultimate Bass Player |
| Dani Magder | Inner Workings |
| Terry McIntosh | Basics |
| Wendy Cooper-Parkinson | Nested |
To celebrate the exhibit artists, including those from the Inaugural Exhibit: From Foundry to Future, the City and Art in Public Places Committee are holding a public launch on June 9, 2022. Please join us at 5:30 p.m. for an opportunity to explore the work and visit with the artists.
The Art in Public Places Committee is a partnership between the Orillia Museum of Art & History and the City of Orillia. To learn more about the “Mechanics of Life” exhibit and public art in Orillia, visit orillia.ca/publicart.