Creative Barrie is proud to announce that its Seeds to Sow Exhibition has received a Silver Award in the Neighborhood Development category from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC).
This honour recognizes projects that spark revitalization and growth within communities—something Seeds to Sow has achieved through creativity, collaboration, and cultural engagement.
About the Exhibition
Seeds to Sow (2024) was the City of Barrie’s first largescale temporary public art exhibition, featuring six site-specific installations that transformed spaces across Barrie from September 27 to November 8, 2024. Designed to amplify Barrie’s public art scene—particularly in the downtown core and on the waterfront—the exhibition brought both bold artistic expression and storytelling into public spaces.
Curated by Katie Lawson, in collaboration with the Barrie Public Art Committee (BPAC) and Carol-Ann Ryan, the City’s former Public Art Coordinator and Artistic Director of the exhibition, Seeds to Sow was a community-wide effort. Free to the public, Seeds to Sow featured artwork by artists Amy Bagshaw, Adrian Blackwell, Ted Fullerton, Lisa Hirmer, Native Art Department International, and Lou Sheppard. Artworks included sculpture, textile art, text-based art, sound and new media art, and mural art. The selection of sites and artists was rooted in thoughtful curation and deep community understanding, highlighting the potential for art to act as a catalyst for broader cultural awareness and engagement.
Impact and Innovation
The project was celebrated by the IEDC for its contributions to neighbourhood-level revitalization, its collaborative approach with artists and curators, and its role in supporting economic development through cultural programming. Through a partnership with Tourism Barrie, Environics Analytics Mobilescapes and geofencing technology tracked a total of 53,972 unique visitors to the waterfront area.
Temporary public art can often act as a spark for foot traffic, tourism, and renewed civic pride—all of which Seeds to Sow helped foster. Barrie’s recognition in this award category speaks to the power of art not only as creative expression, but also as a tool for place-making, economic vibrancy, and social cohesion.
Seeds to Sow was generously supported by 18 local donors and sponsors, 19 volunteer docents, and parallel programming was developed by three local arts organizations.
Looking Ahead
The City continues to prioritize the role of public art in shaping inclusive, vibrant, and welcoming spaces. The Seeds to Sow Exhibition is a shining example of how strategic investment in cultural initiatives can spark conversation, enhance neighbourhoods, and celebrate the unique character of a city.
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