What we heard

Why we engaged

As part of the City’s Public Art program, artists from Kingston and the surrounding areas were invited to participate in a two-stage open call to develop artwork for the exterior of the Robert Bruce Memorial Parking Garage. The site for the artwork faces onto Bagot Street, a busy streetscape and the downtown transfer point for Kingston Transit. Once installed, the artwork will be seen from the ground level by pedestrians, transit users and those passing through the space. 

Forty-one applications were received and reviewed by a Selection Panel of local professional artists, arts workers, and creative professionals. Four Kingston-based artists were shortlisted by the Selection Panel and invited to submit a detailed public art proposal for the site. The proposals and mock-ups were published on Get Involved Kingston and the public was invited to share feedback on which artwork proposal they felt was most visually impactful, which would create a point of interest downtown and which they preferred.

How we engaged

The survey was open on Get Involved Kingston from June 5 until June 19 2025 and was promoted with the community in a variety of ways including:

  • News release to news subscribers and local media (2 stories published by outlets)

  • Social media posts across all City platforms and and paid advertisements on Facebook and Instagram

  • Inclusion in Get Involved Kingston newsletter

  • Graphic and link on City’s digital screen network

  • Link on City’s Public Art webpage

  • Posters affixed to outside of Parking Garage with QR code linking to survey

  • Targeted emails to networks of local and regional arts organizations, professional artists and past participants of public art engagements

Who we heard from

  • 389 participants completed the survey

  • 6 participants provided feedback via email, CRM, and social media (included in survey results)

  • 1,817 users visited the project page to learn more

  • 116 participants engaged with the City for the first time on Get Involved Kingston

What we heard

Question 1 – What is your postal code?

Locations of respondents are as follows:

  • 124 Southwest Kingston (K7M)

  • 120 Central-East Kingston (K7K)

  • 83 Central-South Kingston (K7L)

  • 34 Northwest Kingston (K7P)

  • 13 Rural Kingston (K0H)

  • 15 Other (Outside of Kingston)

Question 2 – The goal of this public art project is to be visually impactful, situated within a busy corridor, helping to animate and improve the Robert Bruce Memorial Parking Garage. Which proposal do you think has the most visual impact?

“Aaron Forsyth / Eronone: All in a day” was selected most often by participants. Exact numbers have been shared with the selection panel but will not be made public to respect artists’ work.

Question 3 – This project is intended to create a new point of interest in the downtown core, and foster a pride of place for all who pass through and engage with this space. Which proposal do you think will be the best improvement to the exterior of the garage and create a new point of interest downtown?

“Abby Gowland: Kingston in Motion” was selected most often by participants. Exact numbers have been shared with the selection panel but will not be made public to respect artists’ work.

Question 4 – Which proposal do you prefer? Please note that the final decision will be made by the selection panel, but public preference will be taken into consideration.

“Abby Gowland: Kingston in Motion” was selected most often by participants. Exact numbers have been shared with the selection panel but will not be made public to respect artists’ work.

Question 5 – Please share any comments you have on your selection above, or any other feedback you may have on this project.

190 participants submitted comments. A summary of themes identified is as follows:

  • General Comments: Many participants expressed support for public art and some provided suggestions for project themes and locations. There was also mention of the importance of diversity in public art, notes on the survey format, and a request to engage non-selected artists in future works. Finally, there were some concerns about the long-term maintenance of the artwork and the City’s spending priorities.

  • Support – All Options: Some commenters stated their support for all options, with recognition of the artists’ talents and creativity, with a few stating that this project would be a welcome improvement on blank wall. Some asked for a ranked ballot so they could share their support for more than one option.

  • Oppose – All Options: A few commenters expressed dissatisfaction with the final options, stating that they felt they were visually overwhelming, and that there was the proposals did not represent the city’s identity and the lived experiences of Kingstonians.

  • Aaron Forsyth / Eronone: Respondents used terms such as “vibrant” and “visually engaging” and many stated appreciation for the storytelling and acknowledged the artist’s reputation and local ties. Some felt it was hard to interpret and stated desire for a new voice in public art.

  • Abby Gowland: Respondents appreciated the inclusivity and diverse representation and the depiction of real-life elements and connection to the community. Some stated a desire for brighter colours instead of the muted palette.

  • Frank DeSa: Respondents felt this was a unique and distinctive concept and appreciated the chosen colour palette. Some felt that it was repetitive and that it was an opportunity to use sign language in the visuals.

  • Portia “Po” Chapman: Respondents used terms such as “uplifting” and “cheerful” when describing what they liked about this piece. They also acknowledged its ‘marketability’ and praised the Indigenous representation. Some commenters felt the piece was too seasonal for the space.

General feedback (CRM, email, social media)

Feedback submitted via CRM, email and social media was added as survey responses by the project administrator.

Next steps

Feedback has been shared with the project team and selection panel for consideration. The Selection Panel chose “Abby Gowland: Kingston in Motion” as the public artwork piece for the Robert Bruce Memorial Parking Garage.

The feedback above has also been shared with the artists to support their continued professional development and artistic practice. The public artwork is expected to be installed Fall 2025.