What started as a pandemic past time is now becoming an annual event, with applications opening for the third “Brightening Barriers” art display.
The Barrie outdoor art exhibition, which won the excellence award in neighbourhood development from the International Economic Development Council, has returned for the summer season. “It came at a time when the construction in downtown was still underway, the lockdown was pretty deep at that point, and we really wanted to give the downtown and our community something bright and positive to sort of elevate spirits,” said Barrie Public Art Co-ordinator Carol-Ann Ryan.
“Initially, it was envisioned as a COVID recovery project, an opportunity to bring something cultural into the downtown that allowed for safe and passive enjoyment in our community.” The Brightening Barriers project pairs artists with downtown Barrie businesses to turn patio fencing into art.“By having original works of art displayed on the patio fencing in front of our downtown businesses and restaurants, we actually used the physical barrier as a method to bring people together again in a safe way in the outdoors,” Ryan said.