Brightening Barriers is a temporary public art project that brings original works by local and regional artists to patios throughout the downtown. With patio fencing serving as a canvas, Brightening Barriers offers an opportunity to turn the “barrier" of imposed separation into a collective artistic experience.
This project, organized by the Barrie Public Art Committee, supports visual artists by highlighting regional artists and original works of art.
Each summer from 2021–2024, restaurant patios in Barrie's downtown had temporary art installations displayed on their patio fencing. Residents and visitors could explore downtown Barrie and support local businesses while appreciating the original works.
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2025 Exhibition
Brightening Barriers 2025 will feature six new works of art from new and emerging artists located in Barrie and beyond. The exhibition will bring a free and accessible cultural experience to our community and animate the downtown corridor with points of interest along Dunlop, Collier and Simcoe Streets.
Four commissions will be reserved for local/regional artists and two commissions will be available to successful proposals received from artists based elsewhere in Ontario. New in 2025, the City is offering a mentorship program to emerging and first-time Brightening Barriers artists. Experienced locally-based artists will be paired with up to three of the successful applicants, whose proposals demonstrate merit, but require additional support to fulfill the technical requirements.
2025 Timeline
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Competition announcement | Friday, February 28 |
| Deadline for design submissions | Friday, March 21 |
| Submissions review and artists/artist teams selection | Thursday, March 27 |
| Selected artists notified and agreements sent | Wednesday, April 2 |
| Artwork installation | Friday, May 16 |
| Artwork de-installation | Friday, September 26 |
2024 Exhibition
In 2024, Brightening Barriers had a twist to celebrate it's fourth year. It was a legacy exhibition celebrating artworks from previous years. Residents were able to see their favourites once again but in new locations, and new residents and visitors could experience artworks they may have missed. The 2024 exhibition was on display from June 21–September 6, 2024.
About the 2024 Installations
Artists were compensated for their work.
Project Recognition
Brightening Barriers received an International Economic Development Council (IEDC) Excellence Award in 2022 in the Neighbourhood Development category. IEDC is the largest nonprofit professional association for professional economic developers in the world. Each year, IEDC recognizes organizations for exemplary economic development marketing campaigns, projects, and programs.
Past Exhibit Guides
For information about past exhibits, download the guides: