Winter Stations competition is back for its eighth year, with 3 winning designs, alongside three student designs from Ryerson University, University of Toronto and University of Guelph.
After a one-year hiatus stemming from impact of the pandemic, the winning designs will once again overtake the lifeguard stations at Toronto’s Woodbine Beach, One winning station, Wildlife-guard Chair, will launch along Hamilton’s Pier 8 mid-February as part of Winterfest. The station will then move back to Toronto’s Beach in early March to conclude its exhibition.
This year’s Winter Stations theme is Resilience. Designers were asked to celebrate the ability of people to withstand and push through challenging and unprecedented times. This year, artists were asked to not only reflect on all the ways people have had to be resilient, but the ways people have channeled this resilience, be it through communities, movements, support networks and more.
“What an honour it is to bring Winter Stations to Hamilton this year, marking the first city outside of Toronto to host these renowned art installations,” says Joe Valela, Principal of Tercot Communities on behalf of the Waterfront Shores Partners. “We’re thrilled to welcome Wildlife-guard Chair to Hamilton’s Pier 8, a jewel in the North End neighbourhood. We encourage Hamiltonians to come out to view the wonderful installation, go for a skate and take in the beautiful views of the waterfront. We’re hopeful that the installation inspires joy and happiness at a time when communities need it most.”
“With all the uncertainty over the past two years, we’re overjoyed that Winter Stations can once again return to the spot it began – on the Beach,” says Roland Rom Colthoff, Founder, Winter Stations. “It’s great to be able to offer Torontonians a distanced and safe event to look forward to this winter. Whether it’s your first time seeing the exhibits, or you’re returning for another year, we hope you enjoy the installations that artists and designers from around the world worked so hard to create. Thank you to everyone who submitted to the competition and to our partners for making it happen. We’re hopeful to garner additional sponsors to further expand programming of the popular event.”
In recognition of the profound impact that the pandemic has had on the East End community, and particularly YWCA Toronto’s shelter residents, Winter Stations has partnered with the YWCA to dedicate one station to the women and gender diverse individuals that lived at YWCA Toronto’s temporary emergency shelter at Kingston Road and Queen Street East. After reviewing the winning stations, residents and staff were drawn to THE HIVE, because of its vibrant colours and how it represents resilience and hope in building community in unprecedented times.
The 2022 winning installations are slated to launch Family Day weekend, on display until the end of March (pending any unforeseen COVID restrictions).
The 2022 Winter Stations winners are:
