
The west end of Vansittart Park in Woodstock will be known as Florence Carlyle Park and a special ceremony will be taking place this Saturday.
WOODSTOCK - The west side of Vansittart Park in Woodstock will soon have a new name.
It's going to be named Florence Carlyle Park after the famous artist who grew up in the Friendly City.
Mary Reid, the Director and Curator of the Woodstock Art Gallery, says Carlyle is one of the most notable historical artists from the 19th century with connections to Woodstock.
"She was very atypical for a female painter at that time. She was operating at the same level as many of her male contemporaries exhibiting internationally, winning awards, and also being part of the dominant art societies like the Royal Canadian Academy and the Ontario Society of Artists."
Woodstock City Council approved the new name back in August of 2021.
A ceremony honouring the new name will be taking place from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. this Saturday, where the new sign will be unveiled. Reid says it will be a family-friendly event that's free to attend.
Reid adds the city is also going to launch a public sculpture commission during the ceremony.
"This will be a $75,000 commission. It will be a call to artists for qualifications with the intent that we will have a public sculpture in the newly renamed Florence Carlyle Park, that honours Florence Carlyle, to be installed next fall in 2024."
More details regarding the commission will be posted on the city's website after the ceremony.
Reid says this would not be possible without a financial contribution from the Government of Canada, through the Department of Canadian Heritage.
(Submitted photo)
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