Belleville, ON September 11, 2024 – Strong Enterprises is thrilled to announce the winners of its inaugural public art competition, celebrating artistic talent in Belleville and beyond.
The competition, which was open to artists from the Quinte region and surrounding areas, invited submissions for three categories: an outdoor sculpture, a mural, and boardroom art. The selected works will be commissioned with artist fees totaling $31,000.
The winning works, selected by a small jury, including curator and owner of Maison Depoivre Art Gallery in Prince Edward County, Christophe Doussot, will be installed this winter in the new Strong Enterprises headquarters, enhancing the space with creativity and community spirit.
“With this exciting call, Strong Enterprises offers an amazing opportunity to three local artists. As a member of the jury, I was impressed by the many proposals received, their diversity and overall quality. It was a real pleasure to assist Natalie and Justin in selecting the artworks that best answered the guidelines of the call,” said Doussot. He adds, “We are all really looking forward to seeing these amazing artworks come to life!”
The jury had an extremely difficult time selecting the winning works but ultimately choose the following artists for their vibrant original ideas and proposed artworks.
The winner of the outdoor sculpture category is Madoc artist James Cameron Smith, (@jamescameron_smith) and his work titled, “Stronger Together.”
Smith, a celebrated sculptor with a diverse portfolio of public art across North America, has completed several public art installations and brings years of experience to his craft. His work, “Stronger Together,” is a powerful representation of unity and resilience. The sculpture features three vertical forms with interwoven heart shapes, symbolizing the collective strength of the Quinte community. Crafted from modular plasma-cut Corten steel shapes, the sculpture stands on robust limestone bases, with a vibrant pre-oxidized natural weathering finish reflecting community resilience and the brand colors of Strong Enterprises.
Muralist Portia “Po” Chapman, BFAH, (@loveartbypo) is a Kingston based award winning and published artist, illustrator from the Quinte region. She won in the mural category for her piece titled, “Strong and Growing Stronger.” Chapman brings her distinct visual storytelling abilities to the new headquarters, featuring her own inventive colour blocking style and signature flat painting technique. “Strong and Growing Stronger” is a tribute to the innovative architecture and design of the building. Chapman’s mural blends organic growth with architectural precision. The mural captures the spirit of Strong Enterprises, telling the story of the company’s journey from its humble beginnings to its current and future phases of expansion and innovation.
The final category was art for the conference boardroom. Kingston based artist and illustrator Floriana Ehninger-Cuervo (@colourful.crow) won for her proposal titled, “Fresh Perspectives.”
The work, hand drawn by Ehninger-Cuervo features interlocking structures that spell out “STRONG,” each element reflecting different aspects of the construction process. Inspired by the design of the new HQ building, the artwork invites viewers to explore it from multiple angles, symbolizing the company’s forward-thinking approach, continuous growth and long history. The background’s vibrant colours evoke the dawn of a new day, aligning with Strong Enterprises’ future-focused vision.
The jury had this to say about the process and winning artists.
“We are astounded by the level of talent in Quinte and surrounding regions and thrilled with all the submissions. Each piece of art will not only enhance the aesthetic of our new headquarters but also reflect our values and aspirations,” said, Justin Strong, CEO, Strong Enterprises.
The new art installations will be unveiled at the grand opening of the Strong Enterprises headquarters in early 2025, marking a significant milestone in the company’s history and its ongoing commitment to the community.