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HomeMy WebLinkAboutOctober 21, 2025 Cultural Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda Main Committee Room October 21, 2025 - 07:00 PM Members of the public may observe the meeting proceedings by viewing the livestream on the HTML Agenda or the archived video available on the City's website. For inquiries related to accessibility, please contact Legislative Services Phone: 905.420.4611 | Email: clerks@pickering.ca. Review and Approval of Agenda Disclosure of Interest Approval of Minutes September 16, 2025, Meeting Minutes Page 3 Delegations/Presentations New Business Pickering Museum Village - Update Page 7 E. Tayles, Conservator, Community Services Public Art - Winter Nights, City Lights Public Art - for endorsement Page 9 C. Farrell, Supervisor, Cultural Services Public Art - Winter Window Painting - for information Page 22 C. Farrell, Supervisor, Cultural Services Cultural Plan - Update K. Roberts, Manager, Cultural Services 1. 2. 3. 3.1 4. 5. 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 2026 Cultural Advisory Committee Meeting Schedule - for endorsement Page 23 J. St. Amant, Coordinator, Cultural Services Pickering Arts Culture Engagement (PACE) subcommittee - Update M. McFarland, Cultural Advisory Committee Other Business Correspondence Next Meeting November 18, 2025 Adjournment 5.5 5.6 6. 7. 8. 8.1 9. Cultural Advisory Committee Meeting Agenda October 21, 2025 - 2 - Draft Cultural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Hybrid - Electronic Meeting September 16, 2025 - 07:00 PM Present: S. Almeida - Schroen, Cultural Advisory Committee S. Barillaro - Cultural Advisory Committee Member D. Davis - Cultural Advisory Committee Member Z. Kazi - Cultural Advisory Committee Member M. McFarland - Cultural Advisory Committee Member A. Palmer - Cultural Advisory Committee Member S. Ramoutar - Cultural Advisory Committee Member D. Thompson - Cultural Advisory Committee Member C. Farrell - Supervisor, Cultural Services V. Karakian - Supervisor, Museum Services D. Kennedy - Curator, Public Art J. St. Amant - Coordinator, Cultural Services (Staff Liaison) J. Currie - Legislative Coordinator (Recording Secretary) Regrets: M. Nagy - City Councillor, Ward 2 J. Baricuatro - Cultural Advisory Committee Member J. Dushanthi - Cultural Advisory Committee Member Review and Approval of Agenda Moved By M. McFarland That the September 16, 2025 Cultural Advisory Committee Agenda be approved. Carried Disclosure of Interest No Disclosures of interest were noted. 1. 2. 1- 3 - Approval of Minutes June 17, 2025, Cultural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes Moved By S. Almeida-Schroen That the Minutes of the June 17, 2025, meeting of the Cultural Advisory Committee be approved. Carried Delegations/Presentations There were no delegations or presentations. New Business Public Art - Community Banner Series – Final artist selection for endorsement Jesse St. Amant, Coordinator, Cultural Services J. St. Amant, Coordinator, Cultural Services provided a brief summary of the Community Banner Series selection process and noted that the Public Art Jury reviewed the top five (5) shortlist proposal and has selected the top three (3) artists that would proceed to Stage 2. J. St. Amant noted that the Public Art Jury was seeking the Cultural Advisory Committee’s endorsement of the top three (3) artists selected. Moved By M. McFarland That the Cultural Advisory Committee endorse the Top 3 Artists selected for the Community Banner Series as selected by the Public Art Jury. Those artists include: Drift Mural Co. (Dominic Laporte & Anais Labreque), Khaula Siddique, and Asli Alin. Carried Pickering Museum Village - Update Victoria Karakian, Supervisor, Museum Services V. Karakian, Supervisor, Museum Services, provided a brief overview of the recent partnership with the University of Toronto Master of Museum Studies program for the 2025-2026 school year and noted that a group of Master's students would be working with the Pickering Museum Village. 3. 3.1 4. 5. 5.1 5.2 Draft Cultural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes September 16, 2025 2- 4 - V. Karakian provided a brief update regarding the Fashion Follies Exhibit, noting that the exhibit was at the Pickering Public Library and would move to the Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex in November 2025. V. Karakian provided a summary of upcoming events related to the Pickering Museum Village. Pickering Arts Culture Engagement (PACE) subcommittee – Update Michael McFarland, Cultural Advisory Committee M. McFarland, Committee Member, provided a brief summary of the Pickering Arts Culture Engagement (PACE) Subcommittee’s participation in the Cultural Fusion event. M. McFarland noted concerns regarding the timing of the notice provided to the public, the location of the PACE booth, and offering interactive activities. S. Ramoutar, Committee Member, provided a summary of comments that were provided by participating vendors which included concerns regarding the amount of notice provided to vendors and the location of booths in relation to the event. A brief discussion ensued between Committee Members and staff regarding methods of providing notice and marketing to ensure public awareness, when the planning for the 2026 Cultural Fusion event would begin, and what the requirements to be an approved vendor for the event were. Other Business C. Farrel provided a brief summary of upcoming events and projects including the Fall Fling and Winter Nights, City Lights. • C. Farrel noted that a Special Council Meeting considering the Seaton Recreation Complex & Library Project was scheduled for September 29, 2025. • C. Farrel noted that the Cultural Strategic Plan was in progress and that the Museum Strategic Plan and the Public Art Plan would be included. • J. St. Amant introduced D. Kennedy as the new Curator, Public Art at the City.• Committee Members requested an update regarding the Gordon Lightfoot Public Art unveiling. • Correspondence 5.3 6. 7. Draft Cultural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes September 16, 2025 3- 5 - None. Next Meeting Next Meeting - October 21, 2025 Adjournment Moved By Z. Kazi That the meeting be adjourned. Carried The meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. 8. 8.1 9. Draft Cultural Advisory Committee Meeting Minutes September 16, 2025 4- 6 - Memo To: Cultural Advisory Committee October 14, 2025 From: Victoria Karakian Supervisor, Museum Services Copy: Director, Community Services Manager, Cultural Services Subject: Pickering Museum Village - Museum Updates Museum Strategic Plan and Rebranding: A new era begins for the Museum as the City launches work on creating a comprehensive 10-year strategic plan. The plan will shape future exhibitions, programming, and partnerships, ensuring the Museum remains relevant and inclusive. As part of the Museum Strategic Plan, a full rebranding effort will be undertaken to refresh its identity and better reflect its evolution since the 2018 strategic plan with a revised mission, values, and mandate. This transformation is part of a broader cultural strategy that also includes long-term planning for Cultural Services and Public Art, led by consultant Patricia Hunstman Culture and Communication. University of Toronto Partnership: The Museum has met the student team established by the University of Toronto Master of Museum Studies program and is excited to work with them on transforming the Miller-Cole building into a transitional exhibit. Students will be visiting the site in October and having bi-weekly meetings with the Curator. Greenwood Exhibit: Pickering Museum Village is pleased to announce the development of a temporary exhibit celebrating the historic Hamlet of Greenwood. Designed to engage both the Greenwood community and the broader Pickering public, including visitors to the new community centre, this exhibit will honor Greenwood’s rich heritage through compelling storytelling and visual displays. The exhibit will feature five to six panels showcasing key historical moments, notable individuals, and community narratives. Through a blend of text and imagery, it will offer a meaningful reflection on Greenwood’s evolution over time. - 7 - October 14, 2025 Page 2 of 2 Pickering Museum Village – Museum Updates Installation is planned for the front foyer of the Dorsay Community and Heritage Centre, where the exhibit will remain on view for a five-year period. Greenwood Residents have been engaged by the Museum to provide input on design and content of the exhibit. An oral history consent form is being approved prior to collection oral histories throughout Greenwood. Ernie Coombs is Mr. Dressup - Exhibit: Pickering Museum Village is developing a new exhibit celebrating the life and legacy of beloved children’s entertainer Ernie Coombs, known to generations as Mr. Dressup. Ernie lived in Pickering with his family from 1970 to 2001; this exhibit will explore his personal journey in the community alongside his iconic professional career. The exhibit will be organized by decade, spanning four distinct eras of Coombs’ life in Pickering. Archival images will be layered throughout to illustrate key milestones and moments, offering a rich visual narrative of both the man and the city he called home. Multimedia elements, including audio and video features, may be incorporated to enhance the visitor experience. Museum staff are working closely with Chris and Cathie Coombs to thoughtfully curate this exhibition. This will run July – August, 2026, at the Dorsay Community and Heritage Centre. A Taste of Science: Pickering Museum Village has secured an exciting STEAM exhibit, A Taste of Science, for September – December, 2026, at the Dorsay Community and Heritage Centre. Give your visitors a look at how and why food decay happens, in this quirky and engaging exhibition. As they step inside an oversized pantry, they will discover why food goes bad, as well as the role scientific innovation plays in keeping food fresh, nutritious and safe for as long as possible. This exhibition, developed by the Canada Agriculture and Food Museum, will get audiences squirming at the sight of rotting food, ew! - 8 - Memo To: Cultural Advisory Committee October 14, 2025 From: Cristopher Farrell Supervisor, Cultural Services Copy: Director, Community Services Manager, Cultural Services Subject: Award – Winter Nights, City Lights - For Endorsement Background: Earlier this year the Supervisor, Cultural Services applied for funding though the Ontario Power Generation (OPG) Regional Empowerment grant program. Cultural Services received $15,000 for the creation of an illuminated artwork by an Indigenous Artist during Winter Nights, City Lights. The installed work will remain on site from November 14th, 2025, until January 31st, 2026. Following last year’s approach, and with support from the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion team to continue in the same manner this year, the City is not promoting competition among Indigenous artists for art opportunities. This direction is based on input from Indigenous members, specifically the Indigenous Relationship Building Circle. In alignment with the Public Art Policy (CUL130), section 10.01 – Purchase or Commission of Public Art, the City may engage an artist through Direct Invitation/Commission or Purchase (Single/Sole-Source), allowing for the selection of a single artist to complete a Public Art project. The Supervisor, Cultural Services has identified the Artist Leigh Simpson-Ahwanaquot, Serpent River First Nation. Leigh will create the work Aambe Giigidodaa Debwewim (Let Us Speak the Truth) (Attachment 1). About the Artist: “Leigh Simpson-Ahwanaquot is an artist, healing helper, educator, and belongs to Serpent River First Nation. Their grandmother was both a language preservationist and the artist in their family, and Leigh gratefully inherited that gift. When their aunty gave them their grandmother’s craft bins, they discovered a cassette of her speaking Anishinaabemowin about revitalizing the language.” Funding: There is $15,000 including HST available from the 502520.10200.9712 Programs&Events Supps - Winter Lights Program. This amount was funded by the OPG Regional Empowerment Grant. - 9 - October 14, 2025 Page 2 of 2 Award – Winter Nights, City Lights - For Endorsement Next steps: The Artist will begin the creation of the work. Supervisor, Cultural Services is to confirm with Facilities of the exact location. It is envisioned that the work will be installed on the balcony of City Hall facing Esplanade Park. The work will be installed the week of November 14th and remain on site until January 31st, 2025. Discussion: Currently, Community Services is seeking endorsement to award Leigh Simpson-Ahwanaquot with this opportunity. Attachment 1: Leigh Neon Artwork – Art Concept - 10 - - 11 - - 12 - - 13 - - 14 - - 15 - - 16 - - 17 - - 18 - - 19 - - 20 - - 21 - Memo To: Cultural Advisory Committee October 14, 2025 From: Cristopher Farrell Supervisor, Cultural Services Copy: Director, Community Services Manager, Cultural Services Subject: Winter Window Painting - For Information Background: The City of Pickering would like to invite local artists or artist teams to apply to paint the main windows at City Hall and Chestnut Hill Developments Recreation Complex. Following the Public Art Policy (CUL 130), Community Services will be issuing a public one stage opportunity for artists/ artist teams to apply. The Call to Artists – Placemaking Opportunity; Window Painting will be released on October 9, 2025 closing on October 20, 2025. The commissioned placemaking art piece is intended to be created based on the theme of an “No Place Like Home”, this temporary placemaking opportunity will aim to showcase the warmth, joy, and sense of belonging that the holiday season brings to our community. This activation will be displayed on the windows from November 14, 2025, to February 1, 2026. One artist/team will be commissioned by The City of Pickering to create the works. Funding: There is $5,000 including HST available from the 502520.10207.9711 Program&Event Supps - Community and Temp Art. Next steps: Submissions have been sent to the Public Art Jury for review. The highest scored submission will be awarded to the artist. Discussion: Currently, Community Services is submitting this memo for information. - 22 - Cultural Advisory Committee 2026 Meeting Schedule January 20, 2026 February 17, 2026 March 17, 2026 April 21, 2026 May 19, 2026 June 16, 2026 - 23 -