Chilliwack roundabout art at Lickman Road to feature a salmon-in-motion sculptural design
Published 4:44 pm Friday, May 1, 2026
A salmon-in-motion sculptural design by an experienced proponent was selected for the new $70,000 Lickman Road roundabout art project at the last council meeting.
The highest-scoring proposal out of the nine submissions was ‘Ripple in Time’ by Jesse Reimer of Bespoke Grain in collaboration with J. Neufeld of Wood Anchor.
“The proposal features a sculptural form inspired by a salmon in motion, symbolizing resilience, return, and connection to place,” according to the staff report.
The City of Chilliwack put out a request for proposals (RFP) that closed last December, for the design, fabrication, and installation of public art in the centre button of the Lickman Road Roundabout, as part of the city’s Public Art Program.
“The objective is to enhance the visual character of the corridor, create a focal point at a key gateway location, and contribute to placemaking within the community,” said the staff report.
The RFP was structured to encourage a range of artistic concepts, and no prescriptive criteria were included.
Evaluation included a technical review by city staff with artistic evaluation by the nine-member public art advisory committee.
Proponents also had a chance to present their concepts and respond to questions prior to the final scoring.
“The design responds to the surrounding landscape and sightlines, including orientation toward Mount Cheam, reinforcing local identity and context.”
The piece will be made of durable materials, including Cor-Ten steel and concrete, requiring minimal ongoing maintenance.
The chosen proponent has experience in public art fabrication and delivery, supported by engineering review, quality control processes, and a defined installation plan.
The roundabout art project should be completed in 16 weeks from the time the contract is awarded.
The artwork is expected to provide “placemaking at a prominent gateway location” and aligns with the city’s broader public art program goals.
The artist’s explanation of the piece was contained in the staff report, along with the AI-generated renderings of the original artwork.
The ‘Artist Abstract’ offered the concept behind the artwork:
“A moment suspended – a breath between water and sky. Ripple in Time captures the quiet strength found in motion, the instant where effort transforms into possibility.
“Inspired by the salmon—an enduring symbol of perseverance and return—as it arcs upward on its journey through these lands. Its presence suggests resilience, seasonal change, and cyclical return, reflecting cycles that have shaped life here for generations. Its form speaks to history, to the present moment, and to the future that is always in motion.
“Created with deep gratitude for the opportunity to call this region home, this work reflects a sense of reverence for the stewardship that existed long before my time. I am a sojourner in this landscape, continually inspired by its beauty and the care with which it has been held, inspiring me to do the same.
“Facing toward Mt. Cheam, the mother mountain and silent witness—an enduring waypoint of the valley—the sculpture turns toward a guardian who watches over this place. In that gesture, there is gratitude, or simply a longing to acknowledge all that endures.
“Ripple in Time invites each viewer to pause—whether for a moment or in passing—and consider their own relationship to this place. It is a reminder that we are part of a larger flow: shaped by those who came before, connected to those around us, and contributing, in our own way, to the story still being written.”