Public art, while beautiful, does not make a good city entry sign, a majority of those on Kelowna council have decided.

On Monday, council struck down a proposed sign at the citysa国际传媒檚 northern boundary along Highway 97 after deeming it leaned more artistic than welcoming. The previous sign was taken down more than two years ago.

Entitled sa国际传媒淚maginesa国际传媒� and envisioned by artist Ted Fullerton, the work wouldsa国际传媒檝e seen 1.2-metre tall letters with 10 abstract human-Esque figures placed around the lettering. The sign wouldsa国际传媒檝e sat along the western side of the highway, just north of the Kelowna International Airport.

Council ended up voting down the staff-recommended art piece in a six-to-three vote, with several citing a lack of the citysa国际传媒檚 identity represented in the piece.

sa国际传媒淚 like the sign sa国际传媒� my first thought is this does not say sa国际传媒楰elownasa国际传媒� to me,sa国际传媒� said Coun. Mohini Singh.

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While appreciating the need for public art throughout the city, Coun. Loyal Wooldridge said hesa国际传媒檚 not sure the welcome sign is the right place for it.

sa国际传媒淲hen people come to our city for the first time, we want to welcome them, not necessarily evoke some sort of emotion.sa国际传媒�

Coun. Gail Given, who along with Mayor Colin Basran and Coun. Ryan Donn, was part of the supportive minority, suggested the sign could be reconsidered as an installation in City Park.

sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 a beautiful piece of art that would be a great selfie option.sa国际传媒�

Given said having a public art installation as a welcome sign would make a unique statement about the City of Kelowna.

Mayor Basran said the sign is indicative of a city that is moving away from its agricultural and tourism roots.

sa国际传媒淲e are a city of the future; thatsa国际传媒檚 what wesa国际传媒檙e building.sa国际传媒�

Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: michael.rodriguez@kelownacapnews.com

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