The latest artistic creation by Merrickville, Ont.-based sculptor Laura Brown Breetvelt could be in place soon at Elliot Lake's Miner's Memorial along Highway 108 on the shores of Horne Lake.
Called "The Prospector", the full-sized metal sculpture represents a uranium prospector who is searching for the mineral in the area of Elliot Lake. It will underline the importance of Elliot Lake as Canada's former uranium mining capital, and the role of prospectors in locating the uranium.
Unlike her two other giant figures of miners which dominate the Miner's Memorial, the last in her trilogy, cast in bronze, Breetvelt's third will stand in the unused southern portion of the site.
At the time of the original "Prospector" sculpture announcement in 2018, Mayor Dan Marchisella told ElliotLakeToday the latest work, along with the first two bronze miner's statues, was paid for through a trading arrangement approved by City Council in the summer of 2017.
The mayor said the city has nowhere to sell or store art work, so Breetvelt has been slowly selling off various city-owned works she received as payment for her work. The mayor estimated the art is worth between $200,000 and $240,000. The artist has a strong family connection to the city and grew up in Elliot Lake
Elliot Lake City Council will meet in special session Monday afternoon at 4:30 pm, to consider spending $27,500 (plus HST) to pay for Beamish Construction to instal the new statue.
In his written report to council for that meeting, Elliot Lake Director of Public Works Darrel Halloch noted, "As a historical focal point, it also encourages our residents and visitors to reflect on the spirit that is our past and the spirit that will forge our future. In 2003, the City of Elliot Lake hired artist Laura Brown Breetvelt to design, manufacture and produce the Miner's Monument."
"With funding from both the United Steelworkers and NOHFC, the ribbon was cut opening the Miner's Memorial Park which consisted of the Miner’s Monument along with a boardwalk, in September of 2005."
"In early 2006 the United Steelworkers committed additional funding to cover majority of the cost towards the addition of the Miner's Memorial Wall which was constructed by the same artist, Laura Brown Breetvelt, with the balance provided by the City of Elliot Lake," Halloch added. "The wall was unveiled in the summer of 2007 and is dedicated to the men and women who died as a result of occupational injury or illness while working at the mines in Elliot Lake."
If installation costs are approved by council, the statue is to be placed on a 30-foot wide by 40-foot long interlocked bricked area in the southeast corner of the Miner's Memorial parking area. This allows "The Prospector" monument to be more symmetrical to the Miner's Monument positioned directly to the north. The design will also include an interlocking sidewalk joining onto the south end of the boardwalk that will be wheelchair accessible, and result in a design similar to the north end of the Memorial.