Call For Expressions of Interest; The Road Mural Mentorship Program
/Expressions of interest for the City of Peterborough Public Art Program peer mentorship program are due by May 1.
photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.
Peterborough Blogs
‘Get Your Art On’ at Mount Community Centre’s Art and Craft Exhibition and Sale
/Join the Mount Community Centre for the 7th annual ‘Get Your Art On’ exhibition and sale of local arts and crafts at Austin Doran Hall at The Mount Community Centre May 12 to 14.
photo courtesy of the mount community centre, facebook.
Paintings, photography, pottery, sculpturing, woodworking and more will be on display and for sale.
“There are numerous artists and crafts people coming to display and sell their works,” says Hartley Stephenson, local artist and event organizer. “The items are unique and specially designed to please the buyer. Attendees are bound to find something that will interest them and be a perfect gift for Mother’s Day celebrations.”
The Mother’s Day Weekend exhibition and sale will run from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Friday, May 12 to Sunday, May 14 at the Mount Community Centre (1545 Monaghan Rd.)
This event is free admission, and 10 per cent of all profits will go to The Mount Community Centre’s ongoing commitment to providing affordable housing and food security.
New City Public Art Program to Mentor 10 Local Artists For Large-Scale Project
/The City of Peterborough Public Art Program is inviting 10 local artists to be in a paid mentorship, working on road murals throughout downtown Peterborough.
File Photo.
The Road Mural Mentorship Program has seen the past two decades work on the Renaissance on Hunter public art project which is entering its third year. It transforms the café district on Hunter Street into a series of road murals and artist gardens.
The purpose of both public art projects is to transform Hunter Street into a welcoming and engaging pedestrian space during the warm weather season.
“The goal of the Road Mural Mentorship Program is to create opportunities for artists interested in expanding their practices into the public art realm,” says Wendy Trusler, City of Peterborough public art facilitator. “I’m excited to see the mentorship program build capacity within the local arts community for future projects like the Renaissance on Hunter.”
The program is seeking applications from emerging and mid-career professional artists who are in Peterborough, the County, Hiawatha First Nation, and Curve Lake First Nation with the deadline on May 1, at 4 p.m. All applications must be submitted online.
The Renaissance on Hunter public art projects are administered and funded through the City of Peterborough Public Art Program and in partnership with the Downtown Business Improvement Area and GreenUP.
For more information and to apply, visit peterborough.ca/publicart.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
New Art Gallery of Peterborough Exhibit Features Award-Winning Artist Tim Whiten
/Explore the art work of award-winning artist Tim Whiten through the Art Gallery of Peterborough’s (AGP) current exhibition Elemental: Earthen until May 21.
photo courtesy of the art gallery of peterborough.
The exhibition features a selection of the artist’s early to recent work – from the beginning of the 1970s onward – alongside several antiquities generously loaned from the McMaster Museum of Art.
“It is an honour and a privilege to share Whiten’s work during this exciting time in his long and impactful career,” says AGP curator Fynn Leitch.
photo courtesy of the art gallery of peterborough.
Tim Whiten was born in Inkster, Michigan in 1941. He does not consider himself an artist but an "image maker who also creates cultural objects," and in a career that spans over forty years, he has sought to navigate the territory of the human condition with the intent of inviting experiences and encouraging “sensing” over “reading.”
Whiten recently won the esteemed Gershon Iskowitz Prize.
The exhibition, Elemental, is part of an expanded, multi-venue survey celebrating Whiten’s extensive career, developed in partnership between the Art Gallery of Peterborough, Art Gallery of York University, Robert McLaughlin Gallery, and McMaster Museum of Art from 2022 to 2023. This series of exhibitions is thematically linked by the classical elements of air, water, earth, and fire - a reference to Whiten’s interest in alchemical practices. Elemental: Earthen is the third of four exhibitions and focuses on the element of earth and its associations with home, sustenance, power, transformation and alchemy.
“Together, these objects create a space to explore Whiten’s ongoing engagements with the fundamental composition of the universe and who/what we are as human beings,” shares Chiedza Pasipanodya, guest curator of Elemental: Earthen.
The AGP is located at 250 Crescent St. Admission is free.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Third Annual Painted Paddle Public Art Exhibit Tour in Downtown Peterborough
/The Downtown Vibrancy Project will be holding an outdoor public art exhibit to celebrate the community’s connection to the water through a series of painted paddle installations across downtown Peterborough from March 3 to 24.
The Gardens of Peterborough residents' Joanne B (right) holding her painted paddle titled ‘Call of the Loon’ alongside Joanne W (left) holding her painted paddle titled ‘Spring in the Air.’ Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.
Locals and visitors will be able to tour the Painted Paddle art exhibit by visiting a number of storefront windows scattered throughout the downtown through this art crawl experience.
Local artists and graphic designer Susie Armstrong painted one of the 31 canoe paddles on display.
“I was inspired to paint a pollination scene for my paddle. Peterborough is a hub for urban pollination gardens, and I see them everywhere on my spring and summer walks,” said Armstrong. “I hope to evoke a bit of warm weather with my painting, which depicts swamp milkweed, a pollination plant specifically enjoyed by monarch butterflies.”
Many creative community members lent their artistic skills to the Painted Paddle project, including executive director of the DBIA Terry Guiel.
“This is the third year we have run this project and it continues to be a success, bringing beautiful art to our downtown, raising funds to support a meaningful project, and inspiring hopefully thoughts of spring paddling.” Guiel remarks. "I am one of the artists and my painted paddle reflects on two themes on each side of the paddle, one being Every Child Matters and the other Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.”
Other local artists taking part in this year’s project include Samantha Chuisolo, Residents from Empress & Princess Retirement Residence, Salvador Haines, Bri Gosselin, Brooklin Stormie, Tim Wales, Nuin-Tara Wilson, Sarah St.Pierre, Jason Wilkins, Jenni Johnston, Terry Guiel, Raine Knudsen, Nichelle Leeson, Kate Powell, Val Yeo, Justine-Marie, Trent University, Ash Hughes, Hearts 4 Joy, Jeff Macklin, Tayler Morencie, Students of Lakefield College School, Karin McLean., Students of Thomas A. Stewart School, J McKay, Jennifer Baici, Ginny Stammers and Maggie O'Rourke.
The paddles will be displayed in store windows throughout downtown Peterborough including Bluestreak, Tragically Dipped, Watson and Lou, Art School, Cork and Bean, The Food Shop, The Night Kitchen, Avant Garden, Boardwalk Boardgame Lounge, Mark Jokinen Books, Kit Coffee, Chesler's Shoes, GreenUP, Cheek, Gerti's, The Toy Shop, Plant Goals, Cahills, Wild Rock, Tiny Greens and Bike!
The Painted Paddle exhibit will be on display until March 24. Exhibition paddles will be available for auction from March 3 at 8 p.m. to March 24 at 8 p.m. with proceeds going to support the DBIA and One City Peterborough Employment Program Partnership to create two part-time jobs through The Green Team. For the virtual auction visit the link.
To participate in a self-guided tour of the Painted Paddle, community members can access a full map of paddle exhibit locations by visiting the Love For The Boro website online.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Art Gallery of Peterborough Acquires Late Artist David Bierk’s Painted Portrait of Queen Elizabeth II
/The Art Gallery of Peterborough (AGP) announces the recent acquisition of the late David Bierk’s Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to its Permanent Collection.
David Bierk and Members of the Major Bennett Chapter of the IODE as his portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was installed at the Memorial Centre on Jan. 9, 1980. Photo courtesy of Trent Valley Archives from the Major Bennett IODE Fonds.
The painting was made for the Peterborough Memorial Centre and was installed on Jan. 9, 1980, where it presided over countless sports games, concerts and events until the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on Sept. 19, 2022.
The painting was commissioned by the Major Bennett Chapter of the IODE for the Memorial Centre to commemorate the group’s 60th anniversary with matching funds from a Wintario Grant.
David Bierk was selected from a list of potential artists by jurors Illi-Maria Tamplin and Zoltan Temesy, then director and chair of the board of the AGP. The original commissioning documents, which are held at Trent Valley Archives, state that if the painting ever needed to be removed it should be donated to the Art Gallery of Peterborough, or the Peterborough Public Library, whichever was preferred.
With these documents the City of Peterborough provided information to the AGP that was reviewed by the AGP Acquisitions Committee. The Committee considers all collection offers and makes recommendations to the AGP Board of Directors, which is the owner of the AGP’s Permanent Collection.
Councillor Alex Bierk, chair of the City’s Arts, Culture and Heritage Portfolio, shared “Growing up, I saw my dad’s massive painting of the Queen at Pete's games, high in the Memorial Centre. My brother Zac told me how players tried to aim for it with pucks during practice. I find it special how the painting intersects my dad's love of sports and his life as an artist, and how it hung over my brother Zac’s head in goal as he played for the Petes. The public reacted strongly when it was taken down. I'm so happy that it ended up in the collection of the Art Gallery of Peterborough to be kept safe and continue to live on in our community.”
The Art Gallery of Peterborough received designation as a Category A Collecting Institution by the Department of Canadian Heritage in 1981. Chair of the board and acquisitions committee, Catharine Blastorah says, “The AGP makes collection decisions very carefully following best practice standards. Whenever we accept a work into the Collection, we make that decision for our and future generations. This painting, which is based on a photograph of the Queen taken during her Silver Jubilee visit to Canada, is a welcome addition to the gallery’s collection, which holds very few early works by the artist.”
The AGP Board of Directors approved the acquisitions committee’s recommendation to accept the donation on Dec. 15, 2022. Gallery staff and the AGP board of directors worked with staff at the City to safely relocate the work from the Memorial Centre to the AGP’s Collection storage vault. There it will be cleaned and integrated into the gallery’s Permanent Collection where it will join over one hundred works by Bierk.
David Bierk (1944-2002) was born in Appleton, Minnesota, and grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area. David immigrated to Canada and in 1972 took up a teaching position at Kenner Collegiate and Vocational Institute. After two years teaching high school art he moved on to teach at Fleming College, where he remained for 5 years.
In 1974 David became a founding member of Peterborough’s artist-run-centre, Artspace, of which he was the Director until 1987. In 1998 he was elected to the Royal Canadian Academy of Artists.
David was posthumously awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal and his work is held in numerous public and private collections including the National Gallery of Canada, the Art Gallery of Ontario, the Canada Council Art Bank, and the Art Gallery of Peterborough.
Jason Wilkins and Peterborough Arts Collective Present Canvas Combat Event
/The Peterborough Arts Collective (PAC) is hosting their first big event outside of the Jason Wilkins Factory; presenting the head-to-head artist battle ‘Canvas Combat’ on March 11.
Photo courtesy of Jason Wilkins.
From 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. at Farmhill Weddings and Events, 10 artists will battle it out in three 30-minute rounds of live painting.
PAC members and other community artists will also be showing work during the event, displayed on the exposed brick wall next to the combat zone.
“This is a really passion project of mine, and giving artist’s a platform that they can use to promote their work, sell their work and sort of elevate themselves as artists is kind of what the Arts Collective is all about,” says Wilkins. “Events like this really just bring that whole idea to the next level.”
The Peterborough Arts Collective, founded by local illustrator Jason Wilkins, is a group of multi-disciplinary artists from Peterborough working to better themselves and the community through art.
PAC has gained momentum since it's inception in 2021. With community support, the group of artists continue to come together to make art and collaboration accessible to all.
Photo courtesy of Jason Wilkins.
Wilkins says five of the 10 spots are already spoken for, but those interested in battling or showing off their work can reach out to him via email.
Tickets are $75 dollars each, which includes one drink at the bar (or non-alcoholic beverage) and a personal charcuterie board (or vegan/vegetarian option), as well as travel to and from the venue by Pascal Bus Co., leaving from 188 Hunter St W. at 6:15 p.m. March 11, with two retiring trips downtown at different times throughout the evening.
All pieces will be up for auction post-battle with 100% of the proceeds going to the artists.
During the rest of the month the collective hosts workshops, First Friday events, artist drop-ins and PAC meetings at the Jason Wilkins Factory. Those interested in learning more can call Jason, or drop in during business hours at Unit #7, 188 Hunter St W).
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Tickets Are Now On Sale for YWCA Annual Empty Bowls Fundraiser
/Tickets are now on sale for the 19th annual YWCA Empty Bowls fundraising event at The Venue on Feb. 25.
photo courtesy of Ywca.
YWCA Empty Bowls ticket holders will visit The Venue (286 George St. N) between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. and will have 30 minutes to browse and select a hand-crafted bowl. These bowls were generously donated by local artisans of the Kawartha Potters Guild and Kawartha Woodturners Guild.
Each $50 ticket also includes a local restaurant coupon card featuring discounts from various partnering restaurants and businesses, redeemable for six months.
“In Peterborough, 1-in-7 households are experiencing food-insecurity,” says YWCA manager of nourish Joëlle Favreau. “Every ticket for YWCA Empty Bowls helps individuals and families most at risk of experiencing food insecurity put fresh, local, affordable food on their tables, while also supporting the systemic changes required to end food insecurity and poverty.”
All proceeds from the event directly support YWCA Nourish Food programs throughout Peterborough City and County.
“We’re extremely grateful for the continued support of our community and our sponsors, including Kawartha Cardiology Clinic, Cornerstone Family Dentistry and The Venue, who truly understand that food insecurity is a critical health issue and a core barrier for women experiencing gender-based violence,” says YWCA executive director Kim Dolan.
Purchase you tickets online or by calling YWCA Peterborough Haliburton. For more information, contact Ria Nicholson at 705-743-3526 x113 or via email.
Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Tiktok. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.
Hearts 4 Joy Opens Artisan Shoppe in Charlotte Mews
/Hearts 4 Joy is celebrating the grand opening of their new Artisan Shoppe in Charlotte Mews on Feb. 11.
Photo by Angela O’Grady.
Program membership has since extended from 8 artists to 13 artists with intellectual exceptionalities as they have found a space to create and sell.
Hearts 4 Joy is a non-profit organization serving those over 21 who live with intellectual exceptionalities.
Those who wish to visit the shop can do so from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Artists Selected for Peterborough’s Indoor-Outdoor Art Project
/Four local artists have been selected for the City of Peterborough’s latest public art project Indoor-Outdoor, which will integrate artwork into parks, recreation facilities and other City buildings.
