Gordon Lightfoot Bust to be Installed in Orillia, Ontario

In 2015, Orillia installed a statue of music legend Gordon Lightfoot at Barnfield Point. This fall, a new homage to Lightfoot is being placed outside the Orillia Opera House: a nearly 3 foot bust of the iconic Canadian folk singer. According to the Orillia Packet:

“Renowned sculptor Gino Cavicchioli created it in 2007…The bust was first seen in public Sept. 6, 2009”.

Cavicchioli decided to sculpt Lightfoot because he has always been a fan and with the intent of finding a collection or public building as a home for the bust. After its completion, a major earthquake hit Italy and the sculptor decided to use his creation as a fundraiser.

“That was at a benefit for the Abruzzo Earthquake Fund for victims of the L’Aquila, Italy disaster. Lightfoot attended and sang a song, signed autographs, and most importantly, did not forget about the sculpture”.

Last fall, Lightfoot decided the bust needed a better home than in Cavicchioii’s studio. The musician wanted to install it in his home town of Orillia and hoped to find a place for it inside the auditorium. Unfortunately, a home indoors could not be found, but after a meeting with Orillia mayor Steve Clarke, they decided on a spot just outside of the Opera House in what Lightfoot calls a “tasteful location”.

There’s no date yet for the unveiling, but it will happen this fall.