Public art makes a great place

One of the things I  noticed as soon as we entered Canada, especially the Quebec Province, is how important art is in the communities.  As we bicycled through small towns and large cities, and even what would appear to be the middle of nowhere, art is on display.  I have stopped and photographed only a few of the very many pieces we have seen along the way.

Metal sculpture of horses pulling logs (real logs) and a frame.  The landscape and the barn you see in the background are real.

This was an unusual piece in a secluded spot along the Route Verte trail. If you look closely, there is a large ear inside with small faces looking outward.  I have no idea what the artist was attempting to communicate with this piece.

Amazing sculpture in process of being installed along Sherbrooke's Esplanade.  It has turf grass on all surfaces and a wooden bench built into the slope (see lower left of the sculpture).  The city actually has its own staff dedicated to install new art pieces and other special projects within the city.

This sculpture was along the Route Verte Trail at a small rest area specifically for bikers (and possibly snow mobilers)

 Public art along the Route Verte trail in a clearing near a bicycle path rest stop

Sherrbrooke, a college town along the Saint Francis River, was an art-centric city. They have a self-guided tour of their building murals.  While we did not take the tour, we saw school groups and individuals traveling the city searching for the next piece.  To find out more about the city murals, follow this link: Sherbrooke Murals

Julia's favorite

You have to look very closely to realize this is just a painting on the side of the building

Amazing mural in Sherbrooke - the heart and the side of the building is just a mural.

The Route Verte Trail as we entered into Quebec City was lined with art pieces inclluding this one representing galloping horses.  Each horse included intricate details you could only recognize with close inspection.

The art along the trail at this point also includes fountains and kinetic sculptures.  Since a photo does not adequately show the movement associated with these pieces, I have inserted a short movie clip of one of the fountains along the trail and river.

I may be adding more photos of art as the are discovered, so check back on this blog page every now and then.

--Tom