Location:
15 Kneeshaw Drive, Barrie Elements Condominium, Suite 108
Date:
May 2, 2025
We’re so excited to share some recent press coverage that truly captures a special moment for us. We had the incredible honour of working alongside none other than Ron Baird—yes, the artist behind Barrie’s iconic Spirit Catcher sculpture at Barrie’s waterfront.
When we began developing our Elements project in Barrie, we knew we wanted to go beyond the ordinary. This community has always been about more than just buildings; it’s about connection—especially with the natural world. That’s why incorporating the elements of Water, Fire, Earth & Air into our design was so important to us. But we never imagined it would lead us to collaborating with an artist as legendary as Ron Baird himself.
We could go on and on about what this collaboration has meant to us, but honestly, BarrieToday captured it so beautifully in their article that we thought we’d share the full feature with you here:
Spirit Catcher artist adds ‘breathtaking’ elements to Barrie condo site
Original Article by Erika Engel, BarrieToday — March 28, 2025
Public invited to check out Ron Baird’s work at Elements Condominiums on Kneeshaw Drive in city’s south end May 2
Pratt Homes is excited to announce a new collaboration with internationally acclaimed artist Ron Baird, known for his creation of Barrie’s iconic Spirit Catcher, to showcase his original art in their latest development, Elements Condominiums.
After three years in development and construction, the art project is now installed and available for public viewing for the first time on May 2, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at 15 Kneeshaw Dr., Barrie.This marks the largest residential art project in Barrie to date, and it features a breathtaking array of sculptures and installations. Highlights of the project include:
- A 90-foot linear sculpture running along Kneeshaw Drive, incorporating a water motif and undulating landscape with bird sculptures.
- Two 50-foot-tall kinetic sculptures at the front entrance, inspired by lunar elements and designed to represent the natural forces that govern our world.
- Two accent sculptures at the front of the building, contributing to the overall esthetic of the development.
- Five original pieces in the elevator vestibules, each inspired by the elements of earth, wind, fire, and water, including an original wooden wave sculpture, a plaster fossil scene, a lit dandelion artistic two-panel installation, a three-dimensional bronze tap inspired by water, a burnt tree sculpture, and more.
Ron Baird will personally lead a guided tour during the exclusive public viewing, sharing his inspiration for each piece and how the artwork ties into the natural themes of the area.
Ron expressed his excitement about the project, saying: “I’m thrilled to be involved in another residential project. It’s been a few years since we’ve done this, so it was fantastic to create something bigger and better than we have done before.
“There’s an artistic surprise infused with wonderment around every corner, both inside and outside the buildings.”
This partnership marks a continuation of Ron Baird’s collaboration with Pratt Homes, known for integrating public art into residential projects. Ron was previously involved in Yonge Station residences with several steampunk-inspired pieces throughout the community as well as his Celestial Scope at Gallery Condominiums.
Previous noteworthy art projects by Pratt Homes have also included HIO Big Chief with Aylan Couchie at the Gallery development, as well as their contributions to the Grace Note installation at the MacLaren Art Centre by Lyn Carter and Karl Tacon.
Karen Hansen of Pratt Homes shared: “Art in communities is culturally enriching. Everyone wants to be inspired by where they live, so why not bring in professional artists to help create unique, enriched communities?”
Pratt Homes is a leader in infusing residential developments with public art, creating spaces that not only provide homes but also reflect the rich cultural and natural history of the surrounding community.
The Elements Condominium is located at 15 Kneeshaw Dr., Barrie, and the public is invited to join the media and community for the official art tour on May 2, 2025, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Ron Baird will be present to walk guests through the art and his creative process.
If you’re in the area, we encourage you to drive by the site and take a look at the sculptures. Photos don’t do them justice—the scale, the detail, and the way they interact with the environment are truly breathtaking.
We’re beyond proud to share this milestone, and even more grateful to see it resonating with the community. A huge thank you to Ron Baird for lending his genius to this project, and to BarrieToday for helping us tell this story.
You can read the full article directly on BarrieToday here.
