Peterborough Public Art Program Calling For 'Indoor-Outdoor' Project Art Submissions

The City of Peterborough Public Art Program is reminding artists in the community that the deadline for ‘Indoor-Outdoor’ art project submissions is Dec. 15 at 4 p.m.

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The two-stage public art project plans to integrate artwork created by local artists into City spaces such as parks, recreation facilities and downtown City Hall. Stage one (Indoor) will be completed early next year and stage two (Outdoor) will be completed later in the year.

The program is looking for new, recent or past two-dimensional original works to be considered for the program. A selection committee will discuss each application and select four artworks; considering artistic merit, relevance and feasibility. The commission value for each artwork is $4,500.

The four selected artworks will be installed and displayed for twelve to eighteen months at either City Hall, Kinsmen Civic Centre, Healthy Planet Arena or the Sport and Wellness Centre, rotating the works between sites at the end of each term.

The Indoor artworks will be mounted on the main foyers of each facility.

More information about the project can be found on the City’s Public Art website.

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‘Indoor-Outdoor’ Public Art for Public Facilities Project Seeking Art Submissions

The City of Peterborough Public Art Program is inviting artists to submit two-dimensional artworks for consideration as new public art installations at municipal facilities and community spaces across the City announced on Monday.

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Indoor-Outdoor is a two-stage public art project that will integrate artwork created by local artists into City spaces such as parks, recreation facilities and downtown City Hall. Stage one (Indoor) will be completed early next year and stage two (Outdoor) will be completed later in the year.

The project is being administered through the City of Peterborough Public Art Program, in accordance with a resolution of Council in November 2021 on the funding of public art and is open to professional artists and cultural practitioners living in the City and County of Peterborough, Hiawatha First Nation or Curve Lake First Nation. The commission value for each artwork is $4,500.   

The program seeks new, recent or past original works for indoor facilities. A selection committee will discuss each application and select four artworks; considering artistic merit, relevance and feasibility.

The City’s intentions with this project is to “enrich these spaces and people’s exposure to art by bringing art to places where people frequent,” and allow the art pieces to “speak to the spirit of sport and consider the inherent relationship between beauty and skill,” according to a press release.

The four selected artworks will be installed and displayed for twelve to eighteen months at either City Hall, Kinsmen Civic Centre, Healthy Planet Arena or the Sport and Wellness Centre, rotating the works between sites at the end of each term.

The Indoor artworks will be mounted on the main foyers of each facility.

Submissions for the Indoor-Outdoor project close on Dec. 15, at 4 p.m. All submissions must be completed online. More information about the project can be found on the City’s Public Art webpage.

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Millennium Park Art Installation Marks Completion of The Nogojiwanong Project

“Gathering,” a new public artwork by Michael Belmore is unveiled in a ribbon-cutting ceremony at Millennium Park as part of the Nogojiwanong Project on Thursday.

Photo by Felicia Massey.

The Nogojiwanong Project is a collaboration undertaken in the spirit of kinship between local First Nations, Indigenous peoples and the City of Peterborough in recognition of the 200th anniversary of Rice Lake Treaty No. 20. Through the collaboration, a gathering space was created in 2019. The space encourages learning and reflection through a series of interpretive panels highlighting the evolution of local treaties and inherent rights of Indigenous peoples.

“Gathering” consists of a grouping of glacial erratic boulders, carved and fitted to sit slightly apart, giving the appearance of heat radiating. The stones are embellished with the Treaty 20 Clan Dodems.

Michael Belmore’s work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, represented in numerous private collections and in the permanent collections of various institutions including the Art Gallery of Ontario and the National Gallery of Canada. Photo by Felicia Massey

“This work at the water’s edge is a kind of collaboration between human and rock, between human lifetime and geological time, or deep time. These stones were moved and rounded by glacial forces a millennia ago,” said Michael Belmore, Anishinaabe artist. “I am deeply honoured that through this project, Gathering can speak to our continued journey.”

The display is located next to the Trans Canada Trail near the south end of Water Street. The piece marks the completion of the Nogojiwanong Project.

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DBIA Unveils Two Large-Scale Murals To Enhance Downtown Peterborough Streetscape

The Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) has unveiled two new large-scale murals to enhance the streetscape experience through public art.

Artist Julii McMillan next to her creation, “Monarch Monolith” outside Peterborough Square’s courtyard. It took her and assistant Samantha Chiusolo three and a half days to complete. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The murals are located just outside the Peterborough Square courtyard and on the corner of George Street and King Street along the Village of Thai building.

These art pieces serve as the DBIA’s renewed focus towards street art as a means to create an attractive downtown area.

The Peterborough Square piece is a monarch-themed mural created by artist Julii McMillan and assistant Samantha Chiusolo. It repurposed a large defunct pillar near the Market Hall entrance, below the clock tower. Described as being similar to a butterfly, the pillar has undergone a metamorphosis and now stands as a magnificent cylindrical art piece.

“Public art is powerful. It can bring people together over shared values, inspire pride and responsibility in the surrounding community,” said McMillan. “It brings colour and joy and moments of discovery for all ages when they stumble upon it. Public art is place-making. It asks us to stop and pay attention, to wonder and play a little more.”

Artist Katie Irwin took roughly a week to paint her “Boro” mural at the side of Village of Thai on the corner of George Street and King Street. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The other mural titled, ‘Welcome to The Boro’ is roughly 105 sq. ft. and has been installed to greet visitors and refresh the experience of entering the downtown. It was created by Katie Irwin who has had her work displayed at the First Friday Art Crawl and Art Gallery of Peterborough.

The mural displays Peterborough in its natural environment with the Otonabee River running through the image. 

“These two new murals will entice foot traffic and interest to the area. We were inspired by First Friday PTBO, which had great success with a mural by Kathryn Durst in Bankers Commons on Water street a few years ago,” says Terry Guiel, DBIA executive director. “We are so grateful to have the opportunity to add more art to our vibrant downtown. Street art plays a vital role in nurturing safe and welcoming spaces by connecting people to public space while magnifying the profile of our local arts community.”

Both murals were funded by the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund (TRF), through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

The DBIA, alongside 36 other regional tourism organizations, have received $2.8 million in support for tourism relief in the Peterborough, Kawarthas and Northumberland regions.

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Five Local Artists Reimagine Downtown Peterborough Through The Illustrated Boro Project

The Downtown Business Improvement Area’s (DBIA) Illustrated Boro Project commissions local artists to create illustrations of downtown shops with funding from the federal government’s Tourism Relief Fund.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

Five local artists were selected to create ten illustrations of downtown shops through this initiative. Each Illustrator featured businesses based on their own personal connection to Peterborough’s downtown business district. Viewers are encouraged to look at the city centre through the eyes of the artist.

Art from Jason Wilkins, Samantha Chiusolo, Julii McMillan, Kathryn Durst and Brooklin Holbrough feature prominent downtown businesses such as Mark Jokinen Books, Statement House, Ritual Apothecary, Night Kitchen, Couture Candy, Providence, The Food Shop, Bijoux Bar, Blue Streak Records and Black Honey Café.

The DBIA’s Illustrated Boro project aims to explore downtown Peterborough through an artistic lens while showcasing local talent in the arts community.

“As a newer resident to Peterborough, I felt so honoured to be a part of this wonderful collaboration with the DBIA, the shops and fellow artists. My family and I have had the pleasure to meet wonderful shop owners that help remind us, we are a part of a larger community, with whom we will support and foster new long-lasting relationships,” said Samantha Chiusolo. “Speaking as an artist, this project has helped support my foray into narrative illustration as well as build up a fellowship within the artist’s community.”

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

A public art exhibit at the First Friday Art Crawl on Friday showcased the artists’ work with a group art show in celebration of downtown businesses and shop owners. The art show sales of postcard sets (including all ten artworks), prints and original works have all proceeds going directly to the artists.  

The Illustrated Boro project was funded by the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund (TRF), through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to help local tourism organizations and businesses safely welcome back visitors and recover from impacts of the pandemic while preparing for future growth. The DBIA and 36 other regional tourism organizations have received $2.8 million in support for tourism relief in the Peterborough, Kawarthas and Northumberland region.

“With the Illustrated Boro project, we honour the art of illustration with drawings of familiar Downtown Peterborough shops handpicked by five local artists. This is how they see their favourite businesses in The Boro. These talented artists see what others may only catch a glimpse of; whimsy, charm and a generosity of spirit, a few hallmarks of The Boro,” says Sacha Lai-Svirk, DBIA marketing committee chair and board of directors member.

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ARTISANity Show and Sale Returns to Peterborough Square For Nov. 4 and 5

ARTISANity Show and Sale returns to the Peterborough Square lower concourse for a two-day event on Nov. 4 and 5.

Photo courtesy of ARTISANity.

Nov. 4th runs from noon to 6 p.m. while Nov. 5 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Hand-crafted artisanal gifts are available such as jewellery, gourd art, woven scarfs, quilted bags, knitted mitts, felted decorations, pottery mugs and bowl, wood turned platters and pens and more.

All items are made by members of the Artisans Centre Peterborough.

The free fundraising event in support of the Artisans Centre Peterborough.

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The Art Gallery of Peterborough to Host Online Auction to Support Local Artists

The Art Gallery of Peterborough (AGP) is hosting an online auction “It’s All About ART”, raising money in support of art and artists in the community.

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The AGP is investing funds raised into programs that bring contemporary art and education to the community.

‘It’s All About ART’ online auction provides an opportunity for individuals to build their art collection with original pieces while supporting living artists.

“Communities need art now more than ever,” says Celeste Scopelites, AGP director. “Help the Art Gallery of Peterborough continue to make ground-breaking exhibitions, engaging programs and invaluable educational opportunities accessible to everyone.”

A preview exhibition of the auction between Oct. 8 to Nov. 6 at the gallery offers the chance to see all the work and prepare to place bids as the auction opens on Oct. 21 at midnight. The preview exhibition access code is ALLABOUTART2022.

All auction items close at 9 p.m. on Nov. 5.

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First Friday Artist Spotlight: Joe Stable

For 55 years, Joe Stable has been an artist, developing his craft through different forms and mediums.

Residing in his Peterborough studio, Stable recently fell in love with copper to the extent of opening a second gallery to showcase his creations. The Acme Art Studio and Copper Closet are participating venues for First Friday.

First Friday Peterborough (FFPTBO) is a downtown monthly art crawl that allows you to experience the city’s art, music and food scene while supporting local artists, people watching and taking in some city sights all at once.

FFPTBO is dedicated to showcasing the immense artistic and musical talent in the Peterborough community. The art crawl is a self-guided tour of downtown galleries, studios, shops and cafés that takes place on the first Friday of every month.

FFPTBO Art Crawl Schedule Oct. 7 schedule from 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. (individual venue hours may vary):

• Miguel Hernandez: New Works | TSC gallery & Studio, 280 Perry St., Unit 10A

• Victoria Wallace, Miguel Hernández + Marcia Watt: New Works |  Studio 10A, 280 Perry St., Unit 10A

• Instructor of The Art School of Peterborough Spotlight + Launch Shop | The Art School of Peterborough, 174A Charlotte St.

• Celebrate Canadian Library Month! Interactive Book-End craft | Peterborough Public Library, 345 Aylmer St. N. √

• The Oddities Show: Various artists + DJ @codyodez 6-8 p.m. and @otonabeatsradio 8-10 p.m. | Jason Wilkins Factory, 188 Hunter St. W. #7

• Susie Julia: Whimsy & Wonder + Pumpkin milkshakes + Patel Pilsner on special  | The Dirty Burger, 211 Hunter St. W.

• Bethany Davis: Follow the Trees | Odenabe Books, 410 George St.

• Grand Opening! The Neighbourhood Vintage, ft. mural installation by: Brooklin Stormie + Bethany Davis | The Neighbourhood Vintage, 391 Water St.

• Spooky Sampler: Various artists showcase + sale, Guest Chef Kayla Daluz  | Tragically Dipped, 386 Water St.

• Gillian Turnham: Earth Measure | Acme Art Gallery, Commerce Building, 129 1/2 Hunter St. W.

• Kim Beavis Sanderson: Rage in Retro *Please download the App Artivive to interact! + Andrea Andrews: Macabre Charcoal + Graphite | Francey Studio, Commerce Building, 129 1/2 Hunter St. W., Studio #3

• Enzo Stimpson: leiðangur – photo expedition of wonder seen through the eyes of a pubescent male +  Luke Best: Music Photography | We Design, 393 Water St., Unit #16

• Nicole Bauberger: RavenMonsterDress  | Atelier Ludmila Gallery, Commerce Building 129 1/2 Hunter St. W. Studio #1

• Kelly Albin: Gone Postal + Juli Sage: Blue Whimsy | Blue Frogs Legs Studio, Commerce Building 129 1/2 Hunter St. W. #7

• Paddler Press: Poetry & Art Journal6 | Commerce Building, 129 1/2 Hunter St. W.

• Various Artists showcase | Studio 5, Commerce Building, 2nd Floor, 129 1/2 Hunter St. W.

• FFPTBO After Party | Gordon Best Theatre, 216 Hunter St. W. 

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The Mount Community Centre Calls All Artists To Display Their Work For ‘Mountmas’

An open call has gone out to artists to display their work for ‘Mountmas’ held by The Mount Community Centre at the Austin Doran Hall on Nov. 12 and 13, announced on Sunday.

The Mount Community Centre during its renovations last summer. Photo courtesy of the Mount Community Centre.

Artwork is being set up on Nov. 11 from 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.

The Mount says this is an excellent opportunity for artists from all disciplines to display their work to the community.

“We are thrilled to be holding ‘Mountmas,’ an exhibition showcasing the inspiring talents of artists in our community,” says Hartley Stephenson, event organizer. “The world needs artists, craftspeople and workers of wonder and beauty and this will be a perfect time for artists to display their work and for attendees to pick up some holiday gifts.”

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New Public Art Installation To Be Viewed and Celebrated at Jackson Park

The public art installation Handwritten Moon will be displayed at Jackson Park on Sept. 22 at 7:30 p.m.

Photo courtesy of The County of Peterborough.

Handwritten Moon is a collaboration between the sculptor Garrett “Owen” Gilbart who fabricated the artwork, and poet Justin Million who wrote the text.

The piece was commissioned as an artist-initiated project through the City of Peterborough’s Public Art Program.

In daylight the reflective text piece takes on hues found in the nearby landscape. On a clear night it reflects the moon. Handwritten Moon also responds to flash photography or a flashlight, and the public is encouraged to bring flashlights or headlamps to experience the piece.

The event will be held rain or shine at Jackson Pond near the Pagoda bridge in Jackson Park.

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