Welland in Niagara Region, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

Steel Worker To Sculptor

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 1, 2025

1. Steel Worker To Sculptor - Marker

Inscription. Artist Neil Bilbe worked in the steel industry for 37 years as a foreman at Lakeside Steel, former Page Hersey Iron Tube And Lead Company, before retiring in 2007. Bilbe designed these statues in 2009, to symbolize the cooperation required by workers and management to create a precision product and to celebrate the 100th anniversary of steel making in Welland. Bilbe built the statues with a steel frame and used a paverpol process to harden the fabric of the clothes worn in the factory to complete the artwork.

In November 2019 the statues were moved to Merritt Park thanks to the generosity of businesses and individuals that felt the community deserved to enjoy and honour this art piece along with its artist, Neil Bilbe.

A 2009 time capsule was moved with the art and will be opened in 2109.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Industry & Commerce • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Time Capsules series list. A significant historical month for this entry is November 2019.

Location. 42° 59.346′ N, 79° 15.078′ W. Marker is in Welland,

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Ontario, in Niagara Region. It is on King Street, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 115 King Street, Welland ON L3B 3J3, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Ontario’s Golden Horseshoe

and in Niagara Canada.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Remember Montreal - Souvenez Vous de Montréal - December 6, 1989 (a few steps from this marker); Central United Church 1882 (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Morwood House c1861 (about 120 meters away); The Hooker House 1856 (about 210 meters away); St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church Anniversary Garden (about 210 meters away); St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church (about 210 meters away); Heritage Site Guide - C Central | Centrale (about 240 meters

Steel Worker To Sculptor - Marker in context image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 1, 2025

2. Steel Worker To Sculptor - Marker in context

away); The Riverside Mill (about 240 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Welland.

Regarding Steel Worker To Sculptor. The statue (together with the glass box and underground time capsule) was originally located at Lakeside Steel (on Dain Avenue), which became Energex Tube in 2012, which then permanently closed the Dain Avenue plant.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 1, 2025

3. Steel Worker To Sculptor - Marker in context

Photo faces west from King Street. The marker and sculpture are within Merritt Park, steps from the road sidewalk.

Steel Workers' Memorial Sculpture image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Kevin Westell, August 1, 2025

4. Steel Workers' Memorial Sculpture

The sculpture has no formal name. It represents management (left) providing direction to labour (right) to create the product.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 20, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 3, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. This page has been viewed 82 times since then and 12 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 3, 2025, by Kevin Westell of St. Catharines, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.