On Tuesday morning, Mt. Sima received a significant addition to its art collection.

Local artists Philippe LeBlond and Halin de Repentigny were commissioned to create a collaborative project to help raise funds for the recently installed chairlift.

Their efforts were unveiled on Tuesday morning, much to the relief of LeBlond, who has spent the last three weeks working around the clock to build a kinetic rolling ball sculpture.

Using recycled parts, LeBlond created a mechanical chairlift that carries two ping-pong balls at a time to an unloading point. The balls then move through a series of tracks before returning to the chairlift loading station.

Behind the kinetic sculpture, which is eight feet high and 12 feet wide, is a mural of Mt. Sima painted by Repentigny.

Together, the pieces create an artistic depiction of the ski hill that allows for interaction from the viewer while also boosting community fundraising.

The rolling ball sculpture will have 400 balls for purchase, ranging from $50 to $500 each.

Once a ball is purchased, the owners will have an opportunity to decorate the ball to make it identifiable, while also having their names mounted on a plaque to recognize their contribution.

LeBlond called the process of creating the sculpture organic, noting that it seemed to find a life of its own once he began working on the project.

"I've done a lot of kinetic sculptures, he said. "But I've never made a chairlift.”

One of the first decisions LeBlond faced was deciding what sort of ball to use. He said the most important aspect was consistency and he found that with ping-pong balls.

"Marbles were another option but they aren't consistent, they aren't all identical,” he said.

LeBlond also said he enjoys the interactive aspect of the sculpture.

"I really like the idea of people taking possession of the sculpture,” he said.

"It gives a sense of ownership and a sense of community.”

Repentigny said that despite the project being a collaborative effort, the artists had little time to work together.

"We met once for an hour about a month ago and that's it,” he said. "But we're both artists and we came up with something that works.”

Repentigny said that he was impressed when he finally saw each piece together, noting their ability to compliment each other.

"It was a challenge to put the ski hill behind it because I wanted the lift to be the centre of attention,” he said. "When I was done painting, I thought it looked pretty bare and was going to add to it but I'm glad I didn't. It would have been far too busy.”

Repentigny said the project was the second collaborative effort of his career and his first in 35 years.

"It can be scary because you don't want to put the other artist out and you don't want to put too much,” he said. "But I think each piece ended up complimenting the other very well.”

Once all the balls have been purchased and decorated the sculpture will be encased in glass.

"I guess Mt. Sima has something to tinker with for now until eternity,” said LeBlond.

For Repentigny, the project was a unique opportunity to contribute to the Whitehorse art scene.

"I haven't been in the art scene in Whitehorse for many years,” he said. "I've been in Dawson and there hasn't really been a face to my work, they saw my paintings but didn't see me.

"This year I'm actually in Whitehorse so I want to get a lot accomplished while I'm here.”

LeBlond says he hopes people will enjoy the piece."I'd cry if I counted how many hours I've put into it,” he said.

"I spent way too long staring at a little mechanical gate and feeding balls through it.

"But now that it's done, I think it turned out pretty well.”