What Makes Great Public Art?

By Karen Zwart Hielema

It’s a question I’ve been reflecting on this summer while collaborating with a colleague and a small group of artists who are preparing to take a bold step—bringing their studio practice into the public realm. More on that soon.

Great public art begins with a deep connection to place. It resonates when it’s site-specific—when it speaks to the physical, social, historical, and environmental context of its surroundings. And just as importantly, it unfolds over time.

That’s exactly what’s happening at the corner of Highway 7 and Jane Street, on the edge of the rapidly evolving Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. Here, one of the city’s first public artworks is quietly taking shape. I’ve been fortunate to be a part of this process as the public art consultant to the Cortel Group – who commissioned the artwork.

The piece evokes a sense of memory—hinting at what the area may have looked like 50 years ago. It marks the pedestrian entrance to Edgeley Pond and Park, nestled between the newly completed CG Tower and a future development site. It catches your eye as you drive past, prompting the question: What’s that all about?

By this fall, the sculpture will be complete. But its meaning will continue to evolve. For residents and passersby, it will be a slow reveal—an invitation to observe, reflect, and engage over time. That’s the power of great public art: it keeps you curious, offering something new with each encounter.

Stay tuned for the official unveiling of Fathom this fall.

Union Station Bus Terminal Public Art Project

‘On the Road’ adds playful narrative to the Union Station Bus Terminal

Client: Metrolinx
Design Team: Karen Zwart Hielema, Gelare Danaie, Pedro Andrade
Artist: Anna Passakas and Radoslaw Kudlinski of Blue Republic
CIBC Square Architects: Wilkinson Eyre Architects, Adamson Associates Architects
Project Completion: November 2021

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‘On the Road’ is a series of 15 aluminum figures that speak to the universal experience of travel. These figures are bold, colourful, and organic in form, in contrast with the neutral colour palate and rectilinear nature of the Union Station Bus terminal at 81 Bay Street in Toronto.

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Take the time to explore these figures while waiting to catch your bus and you will find yourself reflecting on your own travel experiences and adventures.

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As the public art consultant DEXD managed the entire process of artist selection, jury sessions, technical reviews, and the installation of the final work.

The installation of the artwork took place over the course of three days in November 2021. The figures were affixed directly to the glass panelled wall by a team of six.

Metrolink Blog: New Artwork Aims to Further Transform Union Station

Metrolink Blog: New Video Shows Artwork Going Up at Union Station

CG Tower

Expo City CG Tower Public Art

Photo courtesy of BDP Quadrangle

Client: Cortel Group
Design Team: Karen Zwart Hielema, Gelare Danaie, Daniel Puppin,
Prime Architect: BDP Quadrangle, DTAH Landscape Architect
Project Completion: On-going

Summer 2022

Artist Team Alan Tregebov and Joanne Heinen have been mentoring Kha Den De (Lera) during part of the design process for the new public artwork at CG Tower. were selected to provide a public artwork for the CG Tower site as part of the City of Vaughan Public Art Program. Previous works includes Street Light, and The Poet, The Fever Hospital together with the late artist Bernie Miller.

CG Tower main floor looking out to sculpture location. From l-r, Peter Cortelluci, (Cortel Group), Alan Tregebov (artist team), Lera (artist mentee)

Fall 2021

A new piece of public art is coming to the heart of the Vaughan Metropolitan Centre. Located near the intersection of Highway 7 and Jane Street, this piece will tell a story of transformation and speak to the unique identity and history of the Expo City neighbourhood. The artwork will be at CG Tower, the fifth and final element of Expo City by Cortel Group. The site overlooks Edgeley Pond and Park and provides an exceptional opportunity to elevate the public realm at a gateway entrance to the largest urban park for the new downtown. Stay tuned as this story unfolds!

Under Construction, Fall 2024