The District of Saanich is undertaking the redevelopment of Fire Station #2 in the vibrant Royal Oak neighbourhood.
This major capital project replaces the existing building on an enlarged site, expanding the size and capacity of the station
within a new landmark public safety facility. It is expected to be completed in 2026.
A key component of the project is the commission and integration of public artwork for the site.
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ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT:
Following a two-stage selection process that involved a community selection jury comprised of artists, community members and project representatives, Luke Marston was selected as the artist for the Fire Station No. 2 Public Art Project.
ABOUT THE ARTIST:
Luke Marston (Ts'uts'umutlhw) is a member of the Stz'uminus (Chemainus) First Nation. Raised in a family of carvers, he learned history and culture from Simon Charlie and developed his talents in design, form and carving under Haida artist Robert Davidson. Luke worked for several years at Thunderbird Park at the Royal BC Museum alongside his brother, John Marston, and carvers Jonathan Henderson, Sean Whannock and Sean Karpes. His work is featured in private and public collections both nationally and worldwide, and his major public art commissions include the Canadian Government, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, the Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia and Vancouver International Airport. One of his major sculptural works,
Shore to Shore, can be found in Vancouver’s Stanley Park.
Find a copy of the Artist Announcement News Release here.
ABOUT THE SELECTION PROCESS
The District of Saanich invited applications from artists and artist teams to create permanent outdoor public artwork for Fire Station No. 2. The opportunity was open to professional British Columbia artists who were either: residents of British Columbia or from British Columbia, with ongoing connections to the province. First Nations and Indigenous artists, as well as artists who identify with equity-deserving groups, were encouraged to apply.
The artwork was selected through a two-stage public jury process outlined in Saanich’s Comprehensive Arts Policy’s Civic Public Art Program. This ensures a fair process and that the artwork selected meets established criteria and standards. The jury included:
- Three local artists.
- Local neighbourhood association representative.
- Project team representative.
- Department staff member.
There were two stages in the selection process:
- Stage 1: Request for Expressions of Interest and Qualifications
- Stage 2: Request for Proposals (shortlisted artists only)
Next Steps
|
December 2024 |
Artist Selected |
|
January 2025 |
Final Design and Review, Fabrication and Construction |
|
August 2026 |
Artwork Installation (timeline to be confirmed) |
|
September 2026 |
Artwork Unveiling at Fire Station No. 2 Official Opening (TBA) |