An artist-operated center located in Ford City has recently taken down a public art project displayed on its building exterior due to a disagreement with the property owner. The installation featured the message “Windsor had drag queens before you existed” on a text-based billboard, which the center, Artcite, asserted was at odds with the lease terms according to the landlord.
Artcite expressed its disagreement with the landlord’s stance on their Facebook page on Tuesday. In a separate statement, the center explained that the relocation of the billboard was essential to uphold the artistic autonomy and integrity of the Arts Council Windsor and Region’s New Voices Program.
The organization is actively seeking a new location in Ford City to house the New Voices Billboard, ensuring that participating artists can continue showcasing their work as intended. Meanwhile, the current exhibition, “Windsor Had Drag Queens Before You Existed,” will continue to be displayed inside Artcite’s lobby until August 18.
CBC’s attempts to reach the building owner, Michael Difazio, for comments have been unsuccessful. The New Voices Billboard is a project by the arts council that highlights the creations of local artists from marginalized communities. It features a large white sign with interchangeable black letters for artists to share textual content.
Originally launched in 2021 and recently reintroduced with funding from the Windsor-Essex Community Foundation, the installation aims to transform the streetscape into a platform for reflection, creativity, and dialogue, encouraging residents to engage with diverse viewpoints through experimental poetry and storytelling.
Artcite stated that it had informed the landlord about the project’s purpose and format in April, receiving verbal permission to proceed. However, after the recent exhibit launch, the landlord requested the text’s removal and mandated pre-approval for future content changes, alleging lease violations.
Despite the absence of a clause in the lease requiring landlord approval for artwork, exhibition texts, or wording modifications, Artcite decided to take down the billboard on Tuesday to avoid potential financial and legal repercussions. The artist behind the project, Cole Fortier, also known as Epoxy the Drag Queen, declined interviews following the decision, emphasizing the importance of the project’s message.
The Ford City BIA expressed disappointment over the removal of the installation and is actively seeking a new location to host the project. The organization aims to create a safe and inclusive neighborhood where diverse voices are heard and represented, fostering creativity, dialogue, and varied perspectives in public spaces.
Local business owner Rino Bortolin supports the art project, highlighting its role in sparking discussions and enriching the community’s vibrancy. Bortolin advocates for arts organizations to have the freedom to express themselves within legal boundaries on their premises.