TeachingCity Oshawa collaboration highlights downtown public art through interactive map

A new interactive map developed through a TeachingCity Oshawa collaboration with Durham College and The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) will allow residents and visitors to interact with six public art pieces in the city’s downtown core.

The mobile-friendly map, highlighting public art downtown, showcases:

• Crown, Douglas Bentham;
• grace, Mary Anne Barkhouse;
• Group Portrait 1957, Douglas Coupland;
• Reverb, Noel Harding;
• River Tree/Bench, Reinhard Reitzenstein; and
• Upstart II, Clement Meadmore.

At each artwork, art lovers can scan the featured QR code to read and/or listen to learn more about the artist, the artwork, and more.

“A new chapter of public art in the great city of Oshawa has come to life through another transformative TeachingCity collaboration,” said Oshawa Mayor Dan Carter. “An engaging experience for residents and visitors alike, the interactive map will highlight the City of Oshawa’s commitment to arts and culture, accessibility and engagement.”

The interactive elements of Group Portrait 1957 by Douglas Coupland have been taken one step further to incorporate an augmented reality (A.R.) component. The A.R. experience provides further interpretive information about the sculpture in a fun and engaging way.

The interactive map was developed by students from the Interactive Media Design and Contemporary Web Design programs at Durham College with input from The RMG and City of Oshawa.

“We were so pleased to partner with The Robert McLaughlin Gallery on this project giving Durham College students an opportunity to apply their classroom learning to support community engagement. I am proud of their work and I know our community will enjoy this digital application for years to come,” said Durham College President Don Lovisa.

Art enthusiasts can collect unique badges in the app while interacting with the artwork through the map. After collecting all six badges, community members can show the badges at the RMG for a free prize.

“We are so excited to showcase public art in this new virtual format,” said RMH CEO Lauren Gould, CEO. “Public art activates the imagination and encourages people to experience their surroundings in a new way. This new digital experience provides a fun and engaging way to learn about the art in our community. We hope it inspires the community to visit the gallery and see even more art.”

Learn more about TeachingCity at teachingcityoshawa.ca and follow #OshTeachingCity on Twitter and Instagram.

Upstart II, Clement Meadmore, with Group Portrait 1957 by Douglas Coupland in the background