The City of Woodstock has a number of public art installations, including a new piece at the Bruce Flowers Sculpture Garden

As a growing city nearing its 125th anniversary, Woodstock is rich with culture, and the ways this is commemorated are ever-changing. One such way that Woodstock Art Gallery memorializes this culture and history is through public art.

Public art refers to any “artwork” installed with intention for the community in public spaces. Encompassing any medium, size, style or shape, public art reflects how one might see the world by sharing communities’ stories, celebrating histories and commemorating events while also offering a unique attraction for visitors and community members alike. The purpose of public art is to reinforce a sense of civic pride and to interpret historical, social, cultural and natural environments. Temporary or permanent public art offers a chance to highlight our communities’ culture and history in an aesthetic and educational way.

Prior to my research on this topic, I had little knowledge of public art in my hometown of Woodstock. I came to discover there are numerous installations across the city, some of which I have been familiar with since I was a child.

The Snow Countess, located at the intersection of Dundas Street and Springbank Avenue, is recognizable to many as it sits commemorating Oxford County’s legacy of dairy farming. The Snow Countess was installed by the Holstein-Friesian........

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