New Art Installation at Visitor Information Centre in Liverpool

New Art Installation at Visitor Information Centre in Liverpool

June 23, 2023; Liverpool, NS: Welcoming, inclusive and a safe place for all are themes associated with the Pride rainbow, and the Diversity and Inclusion Action Team (DIAT) for Region of Queens Municipality is happy to unveil a new art installation showcasing those themes. A multi-piece series of rainbow coloured stained glass panels were recently installed in the windows and doors of the Visitor Information Centre in Liverpool, NS. Scot Slessor of SAS Glass, located in Liverpool, submitted the design idea earlier this year in response to a request for proposals issued by DIAT for a public art installation to highlight the importance and celebrate equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility in communities throughout Queens County.

Slessor designed the overall concept of the panels, cut, assembled the panels, and was on hand for the installation, along with a few volunteers. The panels have a curve when installed that gives an effect of a gentle wave. More than a dozen students and two teachers from Liverpool Regional High School were trained by SAS Glass and designed and painted images and text that supported inclusive themes. Several of the students helped to assemble the stained glass sections. Theresa Farrell and Sophos Slessor also assisted Slessor with painting and assembly of the panels.

Visitor information centres are a welcoming place in a community, used by travelers and locals alike to find out about the communities they are in or those nearby. Liverpool’s Visitor Information Centre was selected as a site for the art to be displayed as it is centrally located on a heavily travelled roadway, Henry Hensey Drive, located on Liverpool’s waterfront. The building also has another welcoming feature – in 2022, the risers of its front stairs were painted to resemble the Progress Pride flag. They were vandalized in January 2023, but have since been repainted the vivid, inclusive, welcoming colours. It was this act of vandalism that inspired Slessor’s design submission as he hopes to reinforce the message that people should be able to live without fear of harassment just for being themselves, and all can feel safe, welcome, and included in Queens County.

More public art installations celebrating the diversity of Queens County will be unveiled in the following weeks and months. Artists were invited to submit proposals to be reviewed by DIAT, who scored the submissions according to the perceived impact it will have on the public. Proposals were scored based on these criteria: 40% Visibility (Size 15%, Location 15%, Colour and Contrast 10%); 30% Clarity of message – recognizably about inclusion or celebrating diversity; 15% Local Talent – artist is a Queens resident; 15% Maintenance Needs and Longevity – minimal upkeep and durable. The highest scoring selections were recommended for approval to the Chief Administrative Officer.

Pictured installing two of the six stained glass panels at the Visitor Information centre in Liverpool are, from left to right: Sophos Slessor, Scot Slessor and Theresa Farrel.