TORONTO - Winter Stations, an annual public art competition that challenges designers worldwide to reimagine Toronto's lifeguard stations, returns for is second year. A prize is given for the top entries. Organizers include members of RAW Design Architects and Ferris + Associates Landscape Architects, the City of Toronto, and Curio Art Consultants. 

 

Last year, Winter Stations received nearly 200 submissions from 36 countries around the world. Four winning stations and a student-contribution from Ryerson University turned an otherwise dreary beach on Lake Ontario into a wintertime destination. Widely covered in the media, the event received even more submissions this time around: 372 from 49 countries. 

Eight installations were built, including "In the Belly of the Bear," a 15-foot diameter scorched wood ball (a Sho Sugi Ban treatment) built from reclaimed pallet wood around a geodesic dome interior. Winter Stations organizers are running an Indiegogo campaign to fund awards and activities. Current projects will continue to be exhibited until March 20th.