A striking new colorful sculpture has been unveiled in St. Thomas that is hard to miss if you are driving through the area. The city has recently erected a 25-foot, 10,000lb artwork at the entrance of Yarmouth Yards, its fresh industrial zone. Known as the Imagination Station, the sculpture is inspired by St. Thomas’ heritage as Canada’s Railway City.
The artist behind this impressive piece is Briony Douglas, based in Toronto. During an interview with Nav Nanwa on CBC Radio’s “Afternoon Drive,” Douglas explained that her intention with the Imagination Station is to evoke feelings of hope, creativity, and joy. She described her artwork as vibrant and nostalgic, aiming to bring happiness to viewers by tapping into childhood memories, specifically drawing inspiration from a toy wooden train.
The project took approximately a year to complete, with collaborative efforts between Douglas and the city authorities. Douglas expressed her excitement about the juxtaposition of placing a whimsical and colorful sculpture in an industrial setting, believing that the splash of color could brighten someone’s day.
While discussing her previous works, Douglas mentioned her experience creating various large sculptures, including a notable hockey helmet sculpture made from original women’s hockey sticks, now displayed at the Hockey Hall of Fame. The positive community response to the unveiling of the Imagination Station was evident, with the mayor and attendees showing great enthusiasm during the unveiling ceremony.
Douglas emphasized that her ultimate satisfaction as an artist comes from witnessing children’s unfiltered reactions to her work, highlighting the importance of maintaining a sense of whimsy and joy in everyday life. The Imagination Station stands as a testament to bringing positivity and vibrancy to the St. Thomas community through art.