Photos: Trent Valley Archives Portray Peterborough's Trials and Tribulations In the 1940s and 50s With Production of 'The Kid from Simcoe Street' at Canterbury Gardens

Trent Valley Archives is telling the tales of James Clarke’s Memoir 'The Kid from Simcoe Street' in a mini-production at Canterbury Gardens Retirement Residence on Thursday night.

Charlie Porter playing Young Jimmy (left) in a bustling scene with Kaza Hesselink playing Josh (right). All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Clarke is a former Ontario Superior Court Judge's from Peterborough. His 2012 memoirs focus on Peterborough’s trials and tribulations and his St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School football teammate, Murray Byrne, as they grew up poor in post-war Peterborough in the 1940s and 1950s.

The performance is ahead of their four live productions at the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre running from June 4 to 7. The first two shows start at 7:30 p.m. and 2 p.m. matinee starts for the final two shows.

The production is directed by Drew Taylor-Grigg and written by Edward Schroeter, Gerry McBride and David Francis Clarke.

Tickets can be found on Market Hall’s website.

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Residents Asked to Vote For New Public Art at the Peterborough Transit Terminal

A new public art installation is coming to the Peterborough Transit Terminal at 190 Simcoe St. and residents are invited to help select the final design.   

File Photo.

The installation includes vinyl murals that will be placed on the downtown terminal’s columns and exterior. The artwork will enhance the terminal's visual character while improving wayfinding, highlighting entrances and pathways, and enhancing accessibility and safety. 

The City of Peterborough’s Public Art Policy have narrowed their selections to three artist teams for the project:

• BAU & ĆOS Studio (Andres Ulises Bautista & Novka Ćosović)  

• Casandra Lee, Joshua Morley and Sahira Said Jiddawy  

• Jerry Rugg (birdO) 

BAU AND ĆOS Studio is a Greater Toronto Area-based art and architecture firm founded by Andres Ulises Bautista and Novka Ćosović. As a team of two with different backgrounds from distant parts of the world, they draw on their extensive travels and diverse cultural experiences to create contextual public artworks. Their work is very versatile. The team has been commissioned to design projects for the City of Mississauga, the City of Burlington, Nuit Blanche and Pride Week.

Joshua Morley, Sahira Said Jiddawy and Casandra Lee bring complementary strengths in public art, design, and community engagement. Joshua has led large-scale murals such as The Hug, a 600 ft² mural in downtown Peterborough, and Maamawi, a vinyl installation for a community centre in Sault Ste. Marie. Sahira creates cohesive visual systems across digital and print, with work for organizations such as Community Fridge Canada and Absynthe Magazine. Casandra creates both digital and traditional public artworks, including installations for Renaissance on Hunter and Erring at King George. 

Jerry Rugg, aka birdO, is a multidisciplinary artist based in Toronto. While his surreal geometric animals can be found on canvas, in digital print, and in installation, birdO is primarily known for his large-scale mural work on walls and buildings around the world. Jerry’s longstanding passion for the arts, his storied experience in film, and the skills acquired as an award-winning graphic designer have all contributed to his approach, which focuses on an acute awareness of the surface and on studious preparation regarding local culture and surroundings. 

Each team has prepared a video presentation outlining their concept for the Transit Terminal.   

Residents can review the proposed concepts and choose the design that they feel best reflects the city’s identity, creativity and sense of place at connectptbo.ca/simcoetransitart. 

Voting is open until 5 p.m. on May 25.

This public vote will count as one vote in the overall decision. The Public Art Jury will evaluate each project alongside community input, and the Arts and Culture Advisory Committee will endorse the final selection.  

The winning design will be installed at the Peterborough Transit Terminal in early September. 

This project is funded through a combination of municipal investment and support from the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP), as part of the broader Simcoe Street Transit Terminal rehabilitation project.

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CMHA HKPR Launches Clothing Line Created From Local Artists to Help Fund Mental Health Programs

The Canadian Mental Health Association, Haliburton, Kawartha, Pine Ridge (CMHA HKPR) celebrated Mental Health Week with help from local artists by launching a new clothing line to help fund mental health programs, announced on Wednesday.

(From left to right) Jack Veitch, CMHA HKPR manager of community engagement and education; Kate Matthews, artist and Lindsay Halcovitch, Perfect Perception. Matthews and Halcovitch are wearing their designs for the clothing line while Veitch holds Phillip Jolicouer’s design. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

CMHA HKPR commissions three local artists in Kate Matthews, Lindsay Halcovitch and Phillip Jolicoeur to create original designs inspired by mental health and wellness.

“It’s super meaningful to contribute,” said Matthews. “This (CMHA HKPR) is my workplace as well so it’s extra powerful, bringing my passion of art and my workplace in putting that together with my passion for mental health.”

“I just felt honoured for this have this opportunity to present some of my designs for such a meaningful purpose,” explained Halcovitch.

“Working with these artists has been incredibly inspiring. Their talent really shines through in every piece, and they’ve created designs that are not only meaningful but genuinely stylish,” said Jack Veitch, CMHA HKPR manager of community engagement and education. “This collection proves that you can support an important cause, start conversations about mental health, and feel proud of what you’re wearing at the same time.”

@ptbo_canada The CMHA HKPR is celebrating Mental Health Week by launching a new clothing collection that brings together mental health advocacy, community connection and local creativity. #ptbocanada #journalism #fyp #news #mentalhealth ♬ original sound - PTBOCanada

Partial proceeds from every purchase directly support CMHA HKPR programs and services across Haliburton, Kawartha and Pine Ridge.

Clothing can be purchased online at CMHA HKPR’s website by clicking ‘Shop.’

“It’s so important to note that each person has their own journey, and it was important to us to find different types of artists with different kinds of art styles to really depict each person’s journey and experience with their mental health and wellness,” said Vietch.

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Trent Valley Archives Hosting Play Adaptation of Former Peterborough Ontario Superior Court Judge's Memoir 'The Kid from Simcoe Street'

To retell the trials and tribulations of Peterborough in the 1940s and 50s, Trent Valley Archives (TVA) is putting on a fundraising production of Ontario Superior Court Judge James Clarke’s memoirs, ‘The Kid From Simcoe Street,’ at Market Hall from June 4-7.

(From left to right) James Clarke, Author ‘The Kid From Simcoe Street;’ David Clarke, James’s Grandson; R. Kenneth Armstrong, Historian and Murray Byrne. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Trent Valley Archives received permission to adapt the memoir, with proceeds going to the Archives for book donations to sell.

The 2012 memoirs focus on the trials and tribulations of Clarke and his St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School football teammate, Murray Byrne, as they grew up poor in post-war Peterborough in the 1940s and 1950s.

Prior to the production, Clarke and Byrne held a Community Reminiscence and Reunion event (hosted by TVA), speaking to an audience about the memoirs at Princess Gardens on Tuesday afternoon.

Byrne currently resides in the Bridgnorth area and with theatre experience, will have a cameo role.

Clarke practised law in Cobourg for many years until his appointment to the bench in 1983. He served on the Ontario Court of Justice from 1990 to 1999 and the Superior Court of Justice from 1999 until his retirement in 2008. He began writing poetry in 1995. He is the author of more than 20 poetry books and received a Horizons of Friendship Founders Award in 2018, ‘for the exceptional strength and commitment they have shown as volunteers and leaders in their communities.’ He has been involved with the Covenant House of Toronto, Plan International Canada, Chalice, Michael House, the food bank and the Welcome Drop-in Centre in Guelph, the city where he now resides.

@ptbo_canada A piece of history is being brought to life by Trent Valley Archives, putting on a production at Market Hall of the memoirs of Ontario, Superior Court Judge, James Clarke in his memoir, “The kid from Simcoe Street” from June 4-7. ##ptbocanada##journalism##fyp##news##dailynews ♬ We Should Stick Together - elijah woods

Tickets can be purchased from the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre box office, Monday to Friday, noon to 5 p.m., by phoning (705) 749-1146, emailing boxoffice@markethall.com or purchasing them online.

The play is suitable for ages 14 to adult, running for approximately 80 minutes. There will be a 20-minute intermission.

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Art Gallery of Peterborough to Temporarily Close Weekdays for Maintenance

The Art Gallery of Peterborough will be closed from Wednesday to Friday, and from April 8 to April 10 for facility maintenance.  

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

It will remain open on weekends from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. for programs, including Family Sunday and the Gallery Shop. 

The Gallery is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays as per its regular hours of operation.

New exhibitions will open at the Gallery on April 18.

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City of Peterborough Announces 2026 Public Art Jury Members

Five community members have been appointed to serve on the City of Peterborough’s 2026 Public Art Jury, announced on Thursday.  

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

These appointments were made following a competitive Call to Jurors as the City received 46 submissions across the country. 

According to the City, the Public Art Jury plays a vital role in shaping Peterborough’s public realm by reviewing artist proposals and making recommendations for public art commissions, acquisitions and donations. The selected jurors bring a diverse range of artistic practices, academic expertise and lived experiences that reflect the depth and breadth of Peterborough’s creative community. 

Jury members will serve a one-year term and will review up to six public art projects throughout 2026.

The establishment of the Public Art Jury is part of the City’s broader efforts to strengthen its public art program and aligns with the development of Peterborough’s new Municipal Cultural Plan. 

The following are the 2026 Public Art Jury Members:

Bronwyn Cronin

Bronwyn Cronin is a mixed media artist and emerging arts professional who studied at Fleming College’s Haliburton School of Art + Design and recently completed a Bachelor of Fine Arts at NSCAD University. Her work is grounded in contemporary art discourse, critical analysis, and curatorial practice. Bronwyn is passionate about accessible arts and education and brings a thoughtful, community-focused perspective to public art evaluation. 

Said “Sahira” Jiddawy

Said “Sahira” Jiddawy is a graphic designer specializing in scalable brand identity systems and a multidisciplinary performance artist dedicated to community building. Born in Zanzibar and raised in Toronto, their ADHD-informed practice combines movement, music, and political storytelling to challenge systems and celebrate transformation. A 2025 Black August Arts Residency artist and Peterborough Artsweek presenter, Sahira brings a strong equity-focused and contemporary lens to the jury. 

Bonnie Kubica

Bonnie Kubica is a Peterborough-based chef, caterer, and artist with a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Ottawa and a recipient of a Canada Council Explorations Grant. With experience in sculpture, mixed media, and photography, Bonnie brings a unique interdisciplinary perspective informed by her deep engagement with art, travel, and cultural experiences. She is passionate about the role of public art in enhancing community life. 

Timothy Laurin

Timothy Laurin is a Métis, Two-Spirit artist who graduated from Sheridan College School of Design and holds a graduate degree from York University. With over thirty years of professional practice and two decades of teaching experience across Ontario, Tim works across printmaking, sculpture, metalsmithing, clay, and glass. His work has been exhibited internationally and is held in major collections including the Royal Ontario Museum and the Corning Museum of Glass. 

Azadeh Monzavi

Azadeh Monzavi is a researcher, artist, and sessional lecturer, and a Ph.D. Candidate (ABD) in Communication and Culture at Toronto Metropolitan University. With a background in art history, her work explores memory, identity, textiles, and materiality through a feminist and intersectional lens. Her artwork Namesake (2022) is part of the Canada Council Art Bank collection, and she has completed a residency with the Textile Museum of Canada.

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Fleming College Releases 2026 Haliburton School of Art + Design Course Calendar

Fleming College has released its 2026 Haliburton School of Art + Design (HSAD) course calendar, featuring creative workshops, courses and programs designed to ignite artistic talent at all skill levels.

The cover designed by award-winning artist and HeAD instructor Kat Honey. Photo courtesy of Fleming College.

The cover was designed by award-winning artist and HSAD instructor Kat Honey, taking inspiration from the School’s signature red doors.

A new lineup of HSAD courses spans a variety of disciplines, including quilting, glasswork, ceramics, music, podcasting, art commerce and jewellery design. New courses, like Brushworks: A Weekly Painting Series, start as early as March 25.

HSAD revived March Break options for all ages and Youth Art Camps in July and August, giving youth a chance to discover new interests and access professional-grade studios.

For Spring and Summer 2026, the HSAD residence will open to Continuing Education learners, expanding access to a convenient and immersive on-campus experience.

The calendar is also an invitation for the public to engage with the arts through a variety of scheduled events:

• Wednesday Afternoon Walks, Talks & Demos: Insightful presentations from world-class guest artists in a variety of locations including the Sculpture Forest.

• Thursday Night Entertainment: Live performances and social gatherings in the iconic Great Hall. Studios and classrooms will be open before entertainment starts, giving visitors a chance to view student art projects and learn about HSAD courses.

Registration for HSAD 2026 spring and summer courses and programs is open. Registration for Fall 2026 courses will open on July 2. Spring 2026 courses start March 11.

A digital version of the 2026 HSAD Course Calendar is available online. Print copies are available at Fleming’s Sutherland (Peterborough), Frost (Lindsay), and Haliburton campuses.

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Traditional Geometric Artist Gillian Turnham Opens Exhibit at Watson & Lou

Traditional geometric artist Gillian Turnham will showcase her art through a free exhibition at Watson & Lou starting March 6.

photo courtesy of Gillian Turnham.

Born in London, England, and based in Peterborough, Turnham specializes in traditional geometric ruler-and-compass construction methods, with a focus on architectural and ornamental traditions of North Africa and Central Asia. Her work brings traditional pattern systems and craft practices into a present-day context. 

Turnham, a graduate of PCVS in Peterborough and NSCAD University in Nova Scotia, has forthcoming exhibitions planned across 2026 to 2027 in California, London, Istanbul and Paris. She is a regular instructor with The King’s Foundation School of Traditional Arts in London, England, and has lectured most recently at Trent University and Carleton College in Minnesota. She is a member of the GAAC Collective (Geometric Abstraction Artists of Canada Collective).

@ptbo_canada Traditional geometric artist Gillian Turnham will showcase her art through a free exhibition at Watson & Lou starting March 6! #ptbocanada ♬ safe harbor - sunflwr

Her March 6 exhibition offers Peterborough audiences the opportunity to experience works from the past five years, including several new pieces and recent prints. 

The exhibition will run from March 6 to 28 at Watson & Lou (383 Water St.) Gallery hours are Tuesday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The exhibition opens at Watson & Lou during the First Friday Art Crawl. 

For more information about the artist visit her website.

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Otonabee Memorial Community Centre Selects Mural Artwork For Main Entrance

The Parks and Recreation Committee for the Otonabee-South Monaghan Township has selected Ellen Cowie’s artwork to grace the main entrance of the Otonabee Memorial Community Centre.

Ellen Cowie’s winning design. Photo courtesy of Otonabee-South Monaghan Township.

The long-time resident’s art will appear on a 24-foot-by-eight-foot mural. Cowie is deeply connected to the farming, sporting, Indigenous and artistic communities – all of which are represented in her design. She moved to Keene from Peterborough in 2019.

Since 1991, her work has been shown in fine art galleries, with her career highlight being two of her $200 coin designs produced by the Royal Canadian Mint.

Second prize went to Piper Lubbock, 8, for her colourful submission celebrating her love of hockey.

Community members are invited to help paint the mural before it is mounted on the arena’s outer wall this spring. This community project aims to bring residents together as they create a new landmark. Anyone wishing to participate can email OSMMuralProject@gmail.com.

Several artists submitted designs during a call for entries late last year after the committee approved the concept.

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Red Dress Art Installation Leads To Residency In France For Peterborough Artist

A community art project that began at the Peterborough Public Library has led to an international opportunity for local artist Ash Street, whose Red Dress installation has been selected as part of an artist residency in France. 

photo courtesy of peterborough public library, facebook.

Street has been accepted into the Atelier Artist in Residency program, a two-week international residency running from Feb. 2 to 16 in Normandy, France.

Created in recognition of Red Dress Day, Canada’s National Day of Awareness for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ people (MMIW), the Red Dress installation invites the public to pause and reflect on the lives lost and the voices that continue to call for justice.   

Working in partnership with the Nogojiwanong Friendship Centre, Street created the initial piece in the Downie Wenjack Legacy Space at the Peterborough Public Library. Street invited community members to fill in open spaces on the dress with donated textiles and materials on hand. The exhibit is now on display in the main foyer of City Hall at 500 George St. N. 

“Inviting people to share in the process and engage in conversation has been at the heart of this work. That collective experience is what carried this project forward and ultimately opened the door to sharing these stories on an international stage,” Street said. “I am grateful to the City of Peterborough and the Peterborough Public Library for offering me a space and the opportunity to create and share my work with the community. I would also like to thank Jaime Black-Morsette, a Métis artist, activist and creator of the MMIW red dress movement, who has inspired me to create the pieces I have made thus far.”

The residency program expressed interest in both the artistic merit of Street’s work and the broader community conversations it has generated, particularly around what MMIW means to both Indigenous and non-Indigenous audiences. 

“The Red Dress installation is a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to honour the lives of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQIA+ people, and to continue the work of listening, learning and acting,” said Mayor Jeff Leal. “By supporting this exhibit and the artist behind it, the City is helping create space for truth, reflection and community dialogue. We are proud to see a project rooted in community care and participation reach an international audience.”

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