SPARK Photo Festival Launches App For Mapped Exhibits Around Peterborough

Seeing the work of 26 artists throughout April became more convenient as the 2022 SPARK Photo Festival launched a mobile app mapping exhibits across Peterborough that launched Monday.

“Big Yellow Taxi” by Heather Doughty. Doughty developed a passion for nature combined with her photography and is located at 129 Hunter St. W. Photo courtesy of SPARK Photo Festival.

The free app Toureka! — developed by Peterborough’s Brad Carson — contains digital versions of each exhibit with information and provides pinpoint locations for viewing each piece in person. The festival runs throughout April until the 30th.

The interactive map on the website is the web-browser version of the app. There is also have a print brochure (with an old-school map), free to pick up at exhibit venues.

“These new digital tools allow visitors to find more information about the photographers, the venues, and exhibit hours while on-the-go, at the same time reducing our environmental impact,” says Ken Powell, Chair, SPARK Board of Directors. “The photographers and venues put in a huge amount of effort creating their exhibits and we’re making it easier for everyone to find them and tour the region throughout the month.”

The app’s funding came from the Ontario Trillium Foundation Community Building Fund. The grant covered a portion of the operating costs to help SPARK recover from the effects of the pandemic.

There will be a QR code posted at each exhibit that visitors can scan to visit the SPARK website and get direct links to the interactive Festival map and the app stores or get the Toureka! app online. Everything you need to visit SPARK is at your fingertips.

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Peterborough Artist Averie Wilkins Follows In Her Dad Jason Wilkins Footsteps With Her First Sale

Averie Wilkins, 16, is celebrating selling her first piece of art, following in her dad Jason Wilkins footsteps and pursuing a career as an artist.

Averie with a piece she did for her brother.

Averie says she has been drawing since she was young, and has memories of drawing beside her dad when she was four.

Now at 16, she draws inspiration from anime and other shows she likes. She practices different mediums like water colours, gouache, and pen and also enjoys drawing digital pieces on her dads iPad.

Jason, Averie’s dad, is a professional illustrator, live event artist, muralist and workshop instructor located in Peterborough.

Etsy is an e-commerce site usually tailored to handmade products like art, jewelry and crafts.

Averie set up her online shop a few months ago and until recently had been yet to make a sale. Until someone named David purchased a piece on March 6.

“It was really a relief. I thought no one was going to buy anything especially since I had been waiting for months,” she said. “But I got a notification on my phone and it was from Etsy. I read it and someone had purchased an item at my shop. Just a really happy and uplifting moment for me.”

Jason says he’s proud to see his daughter succeeding as an artist already at such a young age.

“I’ve always expressed to all of my kids that as long as they’re happy with what they do for a living, then I’m happy. Whatever that might be. You have to love what you do,” he said. “But it is really cool to see Averie as passionate about art as I was at her age. She’s got talent but I’ve told her that’s only half the battle - patience and work.”

While as a dad, seeing his daughter do what she loves is encouraging, as an artist seeing another artist succeed is a different level of admiration.

“I’m so proud of her for putting herself out there. It’s not an easy thing to do,” he said. “I remember George Elliott coming to speak in my high school art class. He said ‘You’re not a career artist until you sell your first piece.’ It just validates all your efforts and really makes you feel like you’re doing what you were meant to do.”

Averie says while seeing her Dad succeed as an artist has influenced her decision to pursue art, his technique is not something they share.

“He has really proven that you can be very successful and support yourself through doing something you love,” she said. “However I definitely don’t think he has had much influence on my technique, since our styles are both different. I think it’s because we are both from different times. If anything my oldest brother Sam had a big impact because he’s the one who got me into anime.”

Averie’s art can be viewed on her Instagram and purchased on her Etsy shop.

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The Art Gallery of Peterborough to Reopen on Friday

After undergoing month-long renovations, the Art Gallery of Peterborough and Gallery Shop are reopening on Friday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The gallery has been closed since Feb. 2 for the installation of a new lighting system. The reopening includes exciting new exhibitions according to the Art Gallery.

The shop sells ceramic, glass, jewelry and more. Their items feature artists and makers from the Peterborough-Kawartha region and beyond.

For more updates visit www.agp.on.ca

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Kate Suhr Will Take To The Stage At Market Hall After Two Years Without Indoor Concerts

After two years of postponements, Kate Suhr will take to the stage at Market Hall Performance Centre to perform her new cabaret “The Song Goes On.”

Photo by Mary Zita Payne.

“It just feels like it’s time,” said Suhr. “I feel so hopeful about this, I think because of the spring - there's a rebirth and with all that's going on in the world right now especially we need music and art.”

Suhr’s cabaret was initially planned for 2020 but when COVID hit it was put on the back burner.

“The show itself has adapted because there's been so much change,” she said. “Some songs I had chosen don’t seem as applicable now as they did two years ago.”

The evening will feature Musical Director Anthony Bastianon as well as Saskia Tomkins, Sybil Shanahan, Sam Quinn and Curtis Conkwright. Other special guests include Linda Kash, Megan Murphy, Shannon McCracken, Geoff Bemrose, Melissa Payne and Kate Brioux.

“I am feeling hopeful that the community will open their arms to coming back to the theatre and I’m excited because I know how powerful art is, it has the power to heal and help us process.”

The performance will take place on March 25 at 7 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at tickets.markethall.org.

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The Verandah Sessions – Songs From The Verandah Society Album Now Available To Download

4th Line Theatre has announced the release of a new album – The Verandah Sessions, comprised of songs from The Verandah Society in Residence at 4th Line Theatre created by Megan Murphy and Kate Suhr.

The album cover design was created by Jennifer Moher.

The Verandah Society in Residence at 4th Line Theatre had its world premiere at 4th Line Theatre in the summer of 2021. The play was first developed as a way for Murphy and Suhr to connect with and perform for people during the pandemic, as they traveled around the region to perform on people’s porches, verandahs, and backyards.

“I am really excited for everyone to hear Kate’s transcendent songs, which she created for last summer’s production of The Verandah Society at 4th Line Theatre,” said Kim Blackwell, managing artistic director. “For those who were not able to see the show, Kate’s songs will give you a real sense of the beauty of the work. And for those lucky enough to see the production, this music with transport you back."

"It was an unbelievable gift to be able to create art with my dear friend Megan Murphy at the Winslow farm this past summer,” said Kate Suhr. “After immersing myself in Meg's inspirational stories and then spending time with my own thoughts and feelings surrounding the last few years - 4 new songs were born. I am truly thankful for 4th Line Theatre's generosity and continuous support. I am also indebted to the incomparable Saskia Tomkins and James McKenty for embracing my music and breathing life into everything I was hoping to convey. Without all of these wonderful people, this recording, and these songs would never have seen the light of day. I am humbled and I am grateful."

The album is available for download on Bandcamp and Apple Music.

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4th Line Theatre Announces Artists Participating In 2022 Interdisciplinary Residency Program

4th Line Theatre has announced the artists participating in their first ever interdisciplinary residency program for regional artists.

Photos courtesy of 4th Line Theatre.

Five residencies, which will provide opportunities for artists, based in or who are, from Millbrook, Peterborough, Lakefield, Port Hope, Cobourg and the surrounding environs, to develop a new work.

The artists participating in the program will be Madeline Brown, Laurin Isiekwena, Simon Mazziotti, Madison Sheward and Kate Suhr.

The 2022 Interdisciplinary Residency Program will foster artistic development and engagement between 4th Line Theatre, local artists and community members in theatre, music theatre, dance and poetry.

“In our continuing effort to give regional artists opportunities to explore and create new work, we have developed these longer form residencies for just that purpose.”

Laurin Isiekwena will be creating new works of poetry. Madeleine Brown will be working on a piece of theatre about the student fight to keep Peterborough Collegiate from being permanently closed. Kate Suhr will be working in a play with music about the inherited family trauma of addiction. Madison Sheward and Simon Mazziotti will both be developing new choreographic works.

The residencies will begin in February 2022. They will feature a hybrid (digital and live) presentation in October 2022. The presentation will showcase a performance from each of the resident artists.

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Buckhorn Community Centre To Host 40th Annual Craft Show In Person

After nearly two years of cancelled or virtual events the Buckhorn Community Centre (BCC) will host their Spring Craft Show May 21 and 22.

Photo courtesy of The Buckhorn Community Centre.

The show will take place at the Buckhorn Community Centre, assuming that COVID-19 restrictions will allow in-person events at that time.

The craft show will feature local makers and artisans from the Peterborough and Kawartha area. They will not allow resale or membership vendors.

“We are so excited to be back in person for the 40th annual Buckhorn Spring Craft Show,” said Jocelynn Vieira, coordinator.

Tickets will be on sale at the BCC in April.

To apply to be a vendor click here.

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Public Energy Makes A Return To Market Hall With In-Person Shows Beginning February 17

Public Energy Performing Arts is coming back to the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre for in person shows beginning on Feb. 17.

Melika Dez Photography.

After a 23-month period in which Public Energy presented just two events in their busiest venue, they are back with three major presentations over three months.

From Feb. 17 to April. 20 audiences will be able to enjoy cutting edge artists from across Canada with works of dance, theatre and interdisciplinary performance.

Being aware that this is a time of particular financial difficulty for many, and with a goal of eliminating cost as a barrier to attending the performing arts, Public Energy is instituting a pick-your-own-price policy for these three events.

Audiences can pick a price according to their ability to pay, starting at $5 and going up to $30. Tickets available through the Market Hall website: markethall.org or by email to admin@publicenergy.ca or phone 705-745-1788.

On February 17 and 18 is the urban dance company Ebnflōh from Montreal, the hotbed of Canadian dance.

The second show in Public Energy’s Market Hall season is the hard-hitting OUFF from Montreal transdisciplinary artist Alexis O'Hara on March 24. Tackling themes of white privilege, late capitalism and perimenopause with humour and a disconcerting honesty.

The final show in Public Energy’s Market Hall season is Deafy by Edmonton actor and playwright Chris Dodd, being presented April 19 and 20. Deafy is a poignant and humorous storytelling piece blending ASL, the spoken word and surtitles which reflects on the experience of what it is like to be a Deaf person in a hearing world.

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ReFrame Film Festival Announces Schedule For Upcoming Virtual Festival

The ReFrame Film Festival announced over a dozen Live Events and pre-recorded talks, on Tuesday.

Michi Saagiig Nishnaabe musician, artist and writer Ansley Simpson created the soundtrack for Talaga's film, and joins Opening Night with a special musical performance. Photo courtesy of ReFrame Film Festival.

The second virtual edition of the festival features over 70 documentary films and an extensive list of Q&As and live events with filmmakers from around the world.

The festival is running from Jan 27 - Feb. 4.

ReFrame’s Opening Night event Thursday at 7 p.m. includes a keynote address by celebrated journalist Tanya Talaga and a performance by musician Ansley Simspon, who created the soundtrack for Talaga’s film Mashkawi-Manidoo Bimaadiziwin: Spirit to Soar. This event is free and open to the public.

On Saturday at 2 p.m. Mars Pendleton will be in conversation with their parent, celebrated author Karleen Pendleton Jiménez to discuss their film My Life With Rainbows, which is part of the shorts program, “The Kids Are Alright: Queer Families Talk Back.”

Local, award-winning filmmaker James Cullingham will take part in a live panel discussion Sunday at 2 p.m. to talk about his powerful film, The Cost of Freedom: Refugee Journalists in Canada. James will be joined by the journalists in the film: Abdulrahman Matar, Arzu Yildiz Arzu, and Luis Horacio Nájera.

The full lineup of events and pre-recorded talks can be found at reframefilmfestival.ca. Virtual Festival Passes, Festival 5-packs, and Pay-What-You-Can tickets for single films are available now.

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Local Photographer Recreates A Favourite Peterborough Pastime With Lego People

Peterborough photographer Mark Craighead has become a hit on social media with his action figure portraits.

Photo by Mark L. Craighead Photography.

“I stole my dads old film camera when I was in highschool - with his blessing ofcourse - I guess photography has been in my blood forever,” said Craighead.

What started off as creating a Christmas gift for a friend quickly turned into over 20 years of photographing action figures and displaying them at local art shows.

“With the action figures I try to create a false perspective to make them look like portraits of real people,” he said. “When I made that first portrait for my friend so long ago it just sparked something for me, I love it.”

On Wednesday Craighead took to his social media to post about his experience in making these creations.

In the post he mentioned that he was planning on applying to a local art festival, but ultimately decided not to.

‘I was about half way through it, and I sat back and thought, 'do I really want to do this?'. Did I really want to jump through all the hoops again, and tell them, in so many words or less, why I, as an artist, deserve their funding, and therefore their acceptance and approval?’ he wrote in the post. '‘ It feels like a judgement on your worth as an artist, and as an artist who creates by pouring your whole self into the work, it feels, by extension, like a judgement on your worth as a person.’

After he decided to give up on the application process he posted a picture of his latest creation to his Facebook page and went to bed.

The next day his image had been shared to the East City Ptbo Facebook page, as well on PTBOCanada’s social platforms.

“It was really refreshing. Going through the process of applying for shows is very taxing,” he said. “When you’re trying to justify yourself and how your art is art, that it’s deserving of funding or some ones studio space, it’s really challenging and it can be exhausting, especially during these times.”

Craighead noted that had he completely given up and not posted that image, he would not have been able to see the many positive reactions from the community. While he doesn’t create art to generate ‘Likes’ on social media, being accepted and celebrated by Peterborough

Craigheads action figure shots and other photography can be viewed on his website. He has prints and other products available for sale on Redbubble.com, he is also currently doing a Valentines day promotion, valid until Feb. 1. Orders can be made through his website.

Mark L. Craighead Photography also does family portraits, headshots, event photography and product shoots.

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