Barrie, Ontario – March 20th, 2014. Pratt Homes, Barrie’s largest builder since 1890, is changing the face of Barrie’s South end by including landmark art installations in their upcoming community. The art will be created by internationally renowned artist Ron Baird, creator of Barrie’s famous Spirit Catcher. This will be the first time a company has done this in Barrie.
The Barrie Public Art Committee commended Pratt Homes’ vision stating they are “…pleased to learn that Pratt Homes is interested in acquiring art for their development and wants to ensure they receive the highest accolades for their efforts”.
The upcoming community, Yonge Station, will be located at the corner of Yonge Street and Madeline Drive, a main corridor into the city. Pratt Homes wants to instill a sense of community pride in Yonge Station and leave a lasting impression of Barrie’s commitment to culture as visitors enter and exit the city. Pratt Homes partnered with Ron Baird after seeing his enthusiasm and ideas for the project.
“It is a rare opportunity for a commissioned artist to be allowed to run free. Pratt Homes let me off the leash, trusting I would return to them with a bone that they liked.” Says Baird. He continued to say “Here’s what they got: Fifteen gutsy rusted steel sculptures that will stamp the cultural landscape of their Yonge Station Project.”.
The Yonge Station community will host a captivating, 34ft in height by 22ft in width, feature art piece at the corner of Yonge and Madeline as well as several accent pieces that will be released at a later date. The art will maintain a “train” theme to represent the communities’ proximity to the Barrie South GO Station.
Baird stated “While chasing ideas, the most fun I had was designing a large clock who is the steam punk granddaughter of Barrie’s Spirit Catcher.” He finished by saying “In the tradition of the popular public clocks peppered throughout Europe’s cities and towns she will soon dance on the hour on Barrie’s Yonge Street”
Pratt Homes’ owner, Karen Hansen said “Working with Ron has been incredible. He really understood the scope of what we’re trying to achieve. He has brought together 3 important ideas into one piece; suggestive elements of Barrie’s GO station, the up and coming South End and Barrie’s existing art culture.”
Models and renderings of the land mark art will be available at the grand opening of Yonge Station on Saturday May 3rd. Stay tuned for more ground breaking news.
For more information on Yonge Station visit www.yongestation.ca.
About Pratt Homes
Pratt Homes has been building detached, condos and townhomes in Barrie for over 100 years. Pratt Homes is the founder of the successful CMHC approved Rent to Own program and has various sweat equity and low deposit structure programs helping homeowners afford their dream of home ownership. Pratt Homes has an exceptional Tarion New Home Warranty record and is considered on of the most professional and experienced builders in Ontario. Pratt Homes has been awarded SAM, ACE and Chamber awards for home building.
Available for Interview:
Todd Palmer, Marketing Director
Pratt Homes Barrie
todd@pratthomes.ca
705 792 3883