April 9, 2024

Orca whale statue set to leap into the limelight outside Sidney’s Visitor Information Centre

Sidney BC –

An eight-foot-tall orca statue that currently resides inside the Mary Winspear Centre will soon become a Sidney landmark, greeting community members and visitors travelling down Beacon Avenue. The statue will be positioned in front of the Visitor Information Centre (2281 Beacon Ave) where the Sidney Business Improvement Area Society works with volunteers to provide guidance to people getting to know Sidney.

The orca statue, named ‘Florca’ was created by Victoria artist Anne Swannell as part of the 2004 ‘Orcas in the City’ public art project that involved 70 orcas on display in Victoria and Vancouver. Florca was originally installed on Fort Street in Victoria. Following the public art campaign, the orca statues were auctioned off to support the BC Lions Society for Children with Disabilities Easter Seals.

The statue is being donated to the Town of Sidney from the Mary Winspear Centre with installation costs being funded by the Sidney Business Improvement Area Society and Mary Winspear Centre.

Florca is covered in a mosaic pattern of tiles, including a floral wreath that features pieces of broken china.

Quotes:

“This delightful statue is sure to create a sense of arrival for people approaching Sidney’s downtown,” said Sidney Mayor Cliff McNeil-Smith. “We are so fortunate to live alongside pods of orcas and the community takes incredible pride in our floral displays. Florca is a great addition to Sidney’s varied and vibrant public art.”

“We are excited to bring this beautiful orca statue to a more visible location in Sidney,” said Morgan Shaw, Executive Director of the Sidney Business Improvement Area Society. “I am sure it will catch the eye of community members and visitors alike, drawing more people to the Visitor Information Centre where our enthusiastic team of volunteers are on hand to help people make the most of their time in Sidney.”