By Canada Day, the city’s newest piece of public art should require a haircut.
The Mosaic 150 Wild Rose Sculpture was unveiled on a bright, sunny Tuesday morning right outside Red Willow Place near one entrance to the Red Willow trail system. The art is several feet in height with peat moss and mesh on a metal framework in the shape of a wild rose that includes a stem and pots filled with plantings representing our province and local area.
It’s irrigated on the inside and loves the sun, not to mention fresh air, soil and a good spring rain.
It also originated on the other side of the country with the National Mosaiculture exhibit in Gatineau, Qué., an event that marked Canada’s 150th birthday in 2017.
“The sculpture has travelled a long way coming here. Visitors from across the world were able to marvel at these fantastic natural works of art and St. Albert was proud to participate. We chose the wild rose to represent our province,” said Mayor Cathy Heron during her remarks to a small crowd assembled for the occasion.
“As the Botanical Arts city, the sculpture will fit nicely into our downtown, showcasing the beauty, creativity and talent of our residents.”
Local horticulturist and budding botanical artist Wayne McCutcheon assisted city staff members in setting up the sculpture and training them in the good care and maintenance of the piece.
“It needs a haircut about every three weeks. Those plants have to grow and get clipped to maintain the contours of the sculpture. We spent last week planting and it was done before I knew it. I barely had a chance to plant any of the plants,” he said, adding that he was proud to have been asked to take a lead in the project. “As a horticulturist, what more could you ask for when you retire than to look after a living sculpture?”
A solar panel and lights will eventually be added when the seasons change. The sculpture marks the 47th piece of public art according to the city’s Art in Public Place map that can be found on its website at stalbert.ca/maps/cultural/publicart/maptour.html.
