Construction of Canada’s first Elevated Park on the 1929 Michigan Central Railroad Bridge located at St. Thomas’ western edge is slated to begin next month. On-Track, the organization which has taken on this project has just announced that when the park opens in late August it will feature two major metal sculptures created by artist and blacksmith Scott McKay. The largest, entitled “Fear Not the Wind” will tower some 20 feet above the very centre of the park. The second, “Mixed Signals” will be some fifteen feet high and appear at the King Street approach to the bridge.
Though the rail tracks were removed long ago, the bridge remains an iconic symbol of local heritage, massive strength, and energy – at one time 50 trains thundered across the span each day. The coming together of McKay’s sculpture and the park’s design would seem to be a match “forged in heaven”.
Though the rail tracks were removed long ago, the bridge remains an iconic symbol of local heritage, massive strength, and energy – at one time 50 trains thundered across the span each day. The coming together of McKay’s sculpture and the park’s design would seem to be a match “forged in heaven”.
McKay, whose studio is in Lawrence Station, came into artistic metal work by way of the millwright trade. After several years of applying his skills in a creative manner outside of work time, he enrolled at Fleming Collage’s Haliburton School of Art and Design in the Artist Blacksmithing program and used that as a starting point to fuel the fire of his work.
The addition of public art makes a huge difference to the elevated park project. Scott’s creations are big, heavy, muscular and colourful pieces of art that fit in perfectly with the old rail bridge.
~ Serge Lavoie, On-Track St. Thomas President
Like the bridge, the McKay family has played a significant role in the heritage of our community. The two donated works were commissioned and are being donated by Scott’s father, Ian, whose ancestors made significant contributions to St. Thomas life since the mid-1800s. Brothers John and William McKay arrived to a very small St. Thomas in the late 1830’s from Glasgow, Scotland. John McKay built a residence and mercantile shop at 76 Old Talbot St., what is now Cedarhurst Spa, located directly behind the elevated park entrance. William McKay served as Elgin County clerk from 1854 to 1882.
His son, Kenneth Weir McKay took over that position in 1883 and held it until 1935. He also established The Municipal World in 1892, the oldest continuously published monthly municipal magazine in the world. William Scott McKay was St. Thomas City Solicitor from 1938 to 1968, followed by son Bill McKay who held the position for over 30 years until his retirement in 2000.
His son, Kenneth Weir McKay took over that position in 1883 and held it until 1935. He also established The Municipal World in 1892, the oldest continuously published monthly municipal magazine in the world. William Scott McKay was St. Thomas City Solicitor from 1938 to 1968, followed by son Bill McKay who held the position for over 30 years until his retirement in 2000.
Left, Scott McKay with scale model of "Fear Not the Wind". Right, conceptual graphic of the Elevated Park, www.elevatedpark.ca. |
Scott’s work incorporates traditional methods of forging, but he also embraces today’s technology and incorporates CNC Laser and Plasma as being necessary parts of his work. He notes that the traditional methods of forging alone would certainly have put him in the streets with a cup. He has found success by marrying old and new in his sculptures. And now his work will find a welcome place within a project which aims to preserve a heritage asset and also create something great for the future.
McKay has public art on view in several cities, including at Windsor Sculpture Park on the riverfront. A scale model of “Fear Not the Wind” will be on view at Scott’s booth at the St. Thomas Home show this weekend. Final fundraising for Phase One of the St. Thomas Elevated Park began four weeks ago. Construction is scheduled to begin in late April with the official opening day scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017. Those interested in donating to the non-profit, non-governmental project can learn more at www.elevatedpark.ca.
Photos courtesy On-Track St. Thomas
McKay has public art on view in several cities, including at Windsor Sculpture Park on the riverfront. A scale model of “Fear Not the Wind” will be on view at Scott’s booth at the St. Thomas Home show this weekend. Final fundraising for Phase One of the St. Thomas Elevated Park began four weeks ago. Construction is scheduled to begin in late April with the official opening day scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 27, 2017. Those interested in donating to the non-profit, non-governmental project can learn more at www.elevatedpark.ca.
Photos courtesy On-Track St. Thomas