By Tim Collins
There’s always been something magical about the town of Sidney.
Perhaps it’s the stunning location, nestled at the northern end of the Saanich Peninsula on the shore of the Salish Sea.
There’s lots to do, as well. You can take the few paddle strokes to explore some Gulf Island inlets or try your hand at crabbing off the Bevan Fishing Pier. And there are restaurants, the Discovery Centre, bookstores galore, darling boutiques wineries and breweries, and remember that the Sidney Night Market transforms the downtown into a weekly festival hotspot.
But it would be a mistake to assume that the town of Sidney is content to rest on its laurels.
They’re constantly working to enhance the cultural landscape of the town and in 2019 entered into a partnership with ArtSea to revitalize one of Sidney’s most singular attractions.
The Sidney Seaside Sculpture Walk is a magnificent outdoor art gallery created along the waterfront walkway between Beacon Park and the ArtSea Gallery in Tulista Park. Framed against the majestic scenery of Mount Baker and the Salish Sea, the Sculpture Walk has historically been home to works of public art.
But since 2019, ArtSea and the town have managed to acquire eight additional statues for the walk as part of a revitalization effort for the attraction. They are particularly thrilled with their latest acquisition, The Muse by renowned artist, Louis-Marc Simard.
“I remember seeing the ‘Sydney Opera shelter’ [Beacon Park Bandshell] and being given the option to install my piece there, and I was elated; what a background!” said Louis-Marc Simard. “I am so thankful the Town of Sidney has provided a permanent home in such a splendid setting.”
Simard’s work will join sculptures by a talented group of artists, including Christine Bink (Double Spinner), Samuel Houston and Deryk Houston (Sanctuary of Peace), David Hunwick (Eye of the Ocean), Jake James (Power Walker), Fred Dobbs (Ocean in Motion), Philip Organ (Centaur – Chiron), Lyle Hamer (Tsunami), Armando Barbon (Pure Energy), Ronald T. Crawford (The Keeper), Paul Harder (Ollie the Board Dog) and, of course, Jake James with his work ‘Sidney Pirate’.
In addition to the acquisition of new artworks, informative plaques have been installed and a new comprehensive webpage, complete with an online interactive sculpture walk map has helped to complete the experience.
The latest acquisition, The Muse, is perhaps the one that will capture the most attention.
The piece is mesmerizing. Created in smooth white marble and stainless steel it depicts an individual carrying a burden on their shoulders. But the burden actually becomes the figure’s arms, completing the analogy for the belief that the baggage that we all carry through life can become our greatest asset.
Like most art, of course, the final interpretation is the privilege of those who view it, and no one can be sure what visions will be drawn by the tens of thousands of visitors who come to Sidney every year.
The important thing, we suppose, is that the work is enjoyed and causes people to stop and reflect.
