An artist-run center in Ford City has removed a public art project displayed on its building exterior following a disagreement with its landlord. The installation featured the message “Windsor had drag queens before you existed” on a text-based billboard, which the landlord deemed as a violation of the lease agreement, according to Artcite.
Artcite expressed its disagreement with the landlord’s stance on their Facebook page and emphasized the necessity of relocating the billboard to protect the artistic independence and integrity of the Arts Council Windsor and Region’s New Voices Program.
The organization stated its commitment to finding a new location in Ford City for the New Voices Billboard, enabling participating artists to showcase their work as intended. Meanwhile, the current exhibition, “Windsor Had Drag Queens Before You Existed,” will continue inside Artcite’s lobby until August 18.
CBC’s attempts to reach the building owner, Michael Difazio, for comment were unsuccessful. The New Voices Billboard, a project by the arts council, aims to highlight the work of local artists from marginalized communities through textual content displayed on a large white sign with changeable black letters.
Originally launched in 2021 and reestablished in June with funding from the Windsor-Essex Community Foundation, the project aims to create a space for reflection, creativity, and dialogue in the community. Artcite claimed to have informed the landlord about the project’s purpose and format in April and received permission to proceed with the initiative.
However, following the launch of the current exhibit, the landlord requested the removal of the text and imposed restrictions on future wording changes, alleging violations of the lease terms by Artcite. The organization clarified that their lease did not mandate landlord approval for individual artworks or text modifications, except for the tenant’s identification signage.
Despite the absence of a formal agreement granting the landlord authority over artistic content, Artcite decided to take down the billboard to avoid potential financial and legal consequences. The artist behind the project, Cole Fortier, declined interviews but expressed the significance of the project’s message through email correspondence with CBC.
The Ford City BIA expressed disappointment over the removal of the installation and is actively seeking a new location to accommodate the project. They emphasized the importance of fostering a diverse and inclusive neighborhood that values different voices and perspectives, contributing to the community’s vibrancy.
Local business owner Rino Bortolin supported the art project, highlighting the value of open dialogue and the role of arts organizations in promoting creativity within the community. Bortolin emphasized the importance of allowing discussions around art to unfold freely and encouraged arts organizations to have the autonomy to operate within legal boundaries.