Niagara-on-the-Lake could soon see a series of roadside art installations honouring the town’s agricultural legacy, if local artist Ron Clavier gets his way.
Clavier appeared before council last Tuesday to seek permission to install large-scale public artworks on private farmland. The pieces, he said, would pay tribute to key contributors to the region’s farming history.
Inspired by a similar project in California’s Salinas Valley, Clavier’s plan calls for a series of 16-foot-tall aluminum-composite paintings. Each would depict an individual or group significant to the development of agriculture in Niagara-on-the-Lake.
“The project is our way of saying thanks,” he told councillors. “We owe the agricultural community everything, including our lives.”
The first five structures include representations of Indigenous female farmers — known as the “Three Sisters” — United Empire Loyalists, Mennonites, winery pioneers and migrant workers.
The “Three Sisters” artwork was created by Indigenous artists Raymond Skye and Shayde Sandy, in consultation with members of the Indigenous community.
The pieces would be installed on private agricultural properties and are meant to be viewed from the road by passing drivers. Clavier emphasized they are not intended to be stops or distractions, but roadside tributes.
As part of his presentation, Clavier requested council exempt the project from the town’s sign bylaw. The bylaw prohibits signage designed to attract driver attention, defining a sign as any object or structure used to convey information or promote a product, activity, service or idea.
“A sign is intended to distract drivers,” Clavier said. “This is not that.”
He argued that because the artworks would be on private farmland and are not promotional in nature, they should not be regulated under the bylaw.
“Artwork on private property is not a sign,” he said.
Clavier told council he has support from municipal staff but has not yet received backing from the town’s agricultural advisory committee. As of last week’s meeting, the committee had not been consulted regarding the project.
Council voted to move forward with a bylaw amendment to clarify that public art is not considered signage. Council also agreed to consult the Niagara Pumphouse Arts Centre regarding criteria for approving public art. However, Clavier’s proposed initiative — titled “Thanks for the Meal” — was not formally approved.
The title references a line from “The Farmer’s Song,” a 1972 tune by Canadian singer-songwriter Murray McLauchlan.
Clavier said he hopes the project will help raise the profile of visual art in the town.
“We want to elevate visual art to the same level of importance in our community as our theatre and our wineries,” he said.
