The Dan Lawrie International Sculpture Collection (DLISC) has been supporting the the commission and exhibition of sculptural works for over 10 years.

Borne out of Dan Lawrie’s love of sculpture, DLISC has sponsored public art commissions through the City of Burlington Public Art Program, the Art Gallery of Burlington, Joseph Brant Museum and has led the creation of the sculpture collection at Royal Botanical Gardens over the past decade.

Mission

DLISC’s mission is to present contemporary sculpture of the highest calibre in accessible public contexts, fostering meaningful engagement between artists, audiences, and place.

Vision

Its vision is to position public space as a vital site for contemporary artistic practice–where diverse sculptural works can be encountered outside traditional institutional frameworks, encouraging reflection, dialogue, and critical engagement.

DLISC’s primary initiative, the Burlington Waterfront Sculpture Trail (BWST), is a large-scale, temporary exhibition that situates contemporary sculpture within the urban and ecological landscape of Burlington’s waterfront and downtown core. By presenting work outside traditional institutional frameworks, the organization expands the conditions under which contemporary art is encountered–prioritizing durational, self-directed engagement within shared civic space.

The Burlington Waterfront Sculpture Trail is preparing for its sixth season. The goal of BWST is to bring sculpture into the public realm in a free and accessible trail linking major elements of Burlington’s stunning downtown core and waterfront. Artists from across the country are paid an exhibition fee to present their work, and the DLISC team works to sell the works to drive additional support to Canadian artists.