Check Out The New Interactive Art Installation In Downtown Peterborough

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There is a new public space at the corner of King and Water streets in downtown Peterborough that is open to the public. The DBIA encourages people to get up-close with the art pieces and the native plants, and enjoy the space.

Formerly an underused paved area, this piece of land has been transformed into green space in partnership with GreenUP and other community partners. This site houses two beautiful art installations as part of the Jiimaan’ndewemgadnong* (the place where the heart of the canoe beats) Canoe Art Project. The art canoe and transformer box art in the park are the work of Indigenous artist Tia Cavanagh.  

Indigenous artist Tia Cavanagh poses with her creation (photo courtesy DBIA)

Indigenous artist Tia Cavanagh poses with her creation (photo courtesy DBIA)

While visiting the site—the art installations there were generously funded by Kim and Mark Zippel—you can call 705-775-7826 to listen to canoe stories told by three local Anishinaabe women. 

“This project is a beautiful addition to our downtown and has transformed that corner to create a small park with some interesting and engaging art,” says Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area.

The site was transformed into a pocket park last year with the help of community volunteers, local organizations and businesses. If you are interested in being part of future projects or to learn more, contact Dawn Pond via email here or check out the Downtown Vibrancy webpage.

*This name was born of community discussion and translated beautifully in to the local Mizi-Zaagiing Anishinaabeg dialect of Ojibwe by Jack Hoggarth (Cultural Archivist at Curve Lake Cultural Centre) and Mary Alice Taylor (Elder of Curve Lake First Nation).

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Help Shape The Future Of Downtown Peterborough

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Want to have your voice heard as to the future of downtown Peterborough? Join Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area on Wednesday, April 10th from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Shaping Your Downtown Open House event.

The DBIA is seeking to gain valuable input from the community on the future of their work as they develop their five-year strategic plan. They need your help in finding the best path towards a strong, safe and vibrant downtown.

The Open House is Wednesday, April 10th from 5:30 to 7:30 pm at Peterborough Public Library (Friends of the Library Community Room).

They will be seeking your input on…

-Potential DBIA initiatives planned for the future
-Key factors affecting the success of downtown
-How you can play a role in helping downtown grow and thrive

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Watch: Peterborough Artist Jason Wilkins Creates Illustration That Was Retweeted By The Rock

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It was a surreal week for Peterborough-based artist Jason Wilkins. He created an illustration that got retweeted by Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, who has more than 13 million followers on Twitter…

The illustrator/caricaturist/muralist—check out his Instagram page here—was on the StudioPTBO podcast talking about what that experience was like, as well as giving practical advice for artists that are looking to build their brand on social media.

Illustration Jason Wilkins created

Watch the episode with Wilkins below in conversation with hosts Cody May and Neil Morton…

Listen to more StudioPTBO marketing podcasts here.

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Watch: Take A Tour Of Alex Bierk's Art Studio On "PTBOCanada" Show

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On Episode 36 of PTBOCanada, we take a tour of the Hunter Street studio of artist Alex Bierk.

Alex Bierk in his studio: February 6th, 2018

In the show, our Neil Morton speaks with Alex about creativity, culture, melding art and commerce, upcoming projects, the opiod crisis, addiction recovery and how his late father, renown artist David Bierk, was a huge inspiration to him and his siblings…

Watch the episode below…

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An Anonymous Donor Gives $1.25 Million To New Canadian Canoe Museum

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An anonymous out-of-province donor who believes in the power of the canoe to connect Canadians has invested $1.25 million to support the Canadian Canoe Museum’s move to the water’s edge as part of its $65 million capital fundraising campaign.

This generous gift is the first of its magnitude to be received from a donor outside of Ontario, demonstrating the national scope and scale of the new museum project.

The Canadian Canoe Museum is moving from its 1960s-era former factory building to an 85,000 square-foot-facility to be built alongside the Peterborough Lift Lock on the Trent-Severn Waterway—both National Historic Sites—in Peterborough.

Rendering courtesy Canadian Canoe Museum

“We are grateful for this generous gift, and the donor’s appreciation for the national nature of the new museum project,” says Bill Morris, Capital Campaign Chair. “This donor recognizes the canoe as a national icon, and sees its potential and power to connect Canadians.”

“The new museum will not only allow us to attract more visitors from across the country, it will allow us to reach out from coast to coast to coast in new and different ways—it will be our new high-profile headquarters,” adds Morris.

The new museum, which will make accessible all 600 watercraft, thousands of small artifacts and an archive, is designed by an award-winning team of heneghan peng architects (Dublin, Ireland) with Kearns Mancini Architects (Toronto, Canada). The museum has partnered with world-class exhibition design firm GSM Project to create one-of-a-kind visitor experiences.

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Last Beer At The Pig’s Ear Documentary To Play Closing Night At ReFrame Film Festival

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ReFrame Film Festival has announced its 2019 schedule, and the Closing Night documentary is on the Pig’s Ear and the legacy it has left in Peterborough.

Last Beer at the Pig’ s Ear is a tribute to the people, the fun and games, the music and the pickled eggs—the culture that made the “Piggy” so special for 152 years. Directed by local filmmaker Peter Blow, it screens at Showplace Performance Centre on Sunday, January 27th at 7 p.m.

Pig’s Ear was iconic watering hole on Brock Street

The ReFrame Film Festival is celebrating its 15th anniversary from January 24th to Sunday, January 27th. Youth Unstoppable, a film by former PCVS student Slater Jewell-Kemker made to amplify youth voices against climate change, headlines the festival.

Click here for the full schedule.

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Peterborough Museum & Archives' Newest Exhibition Terry Fox: Running To The Heart Of Canada Is On Loan From Canadian Museum of History

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Peterborough Museum & Archives' newest exhibition titled Terry Fox: Running to the Heart of Canada is a must see for people of all ages.

The exhibition is on loan from the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau, Quebec, with support from the Terry Fox Foundation, and will be on-site in Peterborough for public viewing until Sunday, December 9th.

Photo courtesy Peterborough Museum & Archives

The exhibition provides a unique look at Terry’s epic 143-day, 3,339-mile (5,373-kilometre) journey from St. John’s, Newfoundland, to Thunder Bay, Ontario in 1980. It explores Canadians’ deep and abiding affection for Terry and examines his unique place in our collective memory.

Developed by the Canadian Museum of History in partnership with Terry Fox’s family, the exhibition traces Terry’s journey and shows the impact he had on modern Canadian life—the numerous schools, community centres and features of the landscape named for him, and the Canadian coins, stamps and passports bearing his image.

Photo courtesy Peterborough Museum & Archives

“During the Marathon of Hope and the months that followed, Canadians filled our home in Port Coquitlam, B.C., with scrapbooks, written tributes and gifts reflecting a collective compassion and admiration for Terry's unselfish act,” says Darrell Fox, Terry’s brother. “More than 35 years later, it is time to share the Terry Fox collection and the compelling story that the memorabilia evoke with the world.

Photo courtesy Peterborough Museum & Archives

The Canadian icon’s coast-to-coast journey in 1980 ended near Thunder Bay, when the cancer that had claimed his leg returned, forcing Terry to abandon the project.

He died a national hero in June 1981, at the age of 22, having collected some $24 million. To date, more than $700 million has been raised in his name for cancer research.

Terry Fox – Running to the Heart of Canada is being presented at The Peterborough Museum & Archives (300 Hunter Street East) from September 29th until December 9th.

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The Awesome Open Street Community Event Peterborough Pulse Is This Saturday

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Beautiful downtown Peterborough is about to become a vibrant, car-free corridor this Saturday (July 21st) with the return of Peterborough Pulse, which reimagines the possibility of community and the public realm for a single day

This is when for one summer day, the streets are filled with cyclists and roller-skaters, families pushing strollers, karate and fencing demonstrations, art and music, and more.

Now in its 4th year, Pulse will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This year’s Pulse route will run along George Street from McDonnel St. to Sherbrooke St. and will include Charlotte Street from George St. to Aylmer St.
 
New this year is a snack hub—delicious idea!—on Charlotte Street next to the George Street intersection.

This year, the Pulse team will be expanding the Pulse effect all summer long with the Pulse Play Guide. The Pulse Play Guide is a uniquely local summer passport curated to reflect the magic of Pulse with recreation activities the whole family can discover together, from axe throwing to star gazing.

The Play Guide will offer families free access to some of the most spectacular recreation opportunities offered in the city of Peterborough. Printed Play Guides can be picked up at a number of the local art galleries and museums including: The Museum and Archives, Hutchinson House, The Canadian Canoe Museum, Art Gallery of Peterborough, and the OFAH Heritage Centre.

A download option of the guide will also be made available on the Pulse website here. 

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Library Commons Selected As Name For New Simcoe Aylmer Square

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UPDATED POST (April 25th): More than 500 votes were cast by the public, and the name Library Commons won out with 186 votes. It will be the name for the City's Newest Public Space. Second place went to Firehouse Square and third place to Robertson Davies Square. When the square opens to the public, a plaque will be installed commemorating this community space and the name “Library Commons”.

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ORIGINAL POST

The City of Peterborough is seeking community input to determine the name of the new Simcoe Aylmer Square being contructed adjacent to the Peterborough Public Library.
 
The City of Peterborough, together with LLF Lawyers—the naming right sponsor—invite the community to vote on the final name for the new public space located at the southwest corner of Simcoe and Aylmer Streets.

Rendering courtesy City of Peterborough

The project was developed in concert with the Library’s Main Branch renovation and expansion. The construction of the square adjacent to the library will create a vibrant place for people to gather in the heart of downtown Peterborough.  

Photo courtesy Peterborough Libary

LLF has worked with City staff to seek input and comments from the Library Board, City’s Public Art Advisory Committee and City’s Arenas, Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee to compile a short-list of potential names that reflect:

-> the community's heritage and history
-> the square's relevance to the community
-> a commitment to community access and use of this space

Short-listed names are, drum roll please...

• Firehouse Square
• W.A. Howard Commons
• Robertson Davies Plaza
• Dr. Thomas Greer Square
• Library Commons
• Carnegie Square
• Brigade Square    

Community voting is available online here or to cast your vote in person, ballots are available at City Hall and at the Peterborough Public Library. Voting will be open until April 20th and the results will be announced April 25th.

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Wenjack & Downie Families Celebrate Opening Of Chanie Wenjack School At Trent

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The Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies at Trent University honours the life and history of Chanie Wenjack, a young Anishinaabe boy who died in his attempt to escape residential school in 1966.

The families of Chanie Wenjack and Gord Downie were at Trent University on Friday (March 2nd) to celebrate the official opening of the Chanie Wenjack School—a milestone development in the University’s longstanding leadership in Indigenous education and reconciliation.

Wenjack and Downie families join celebration to launch Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies (Picture via Trent University)

“The Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies works to create an environment of dignity, respect, understanding and a home for all students," says Professor David Newhouse, director of the School.

"It also provides a space for Indigenous students to understand their own culture and heritage better, while also cultivating greater understanding amongst non-Indigenous students."

Speaking on behalf of the Wenjack family, Pearl Achneepineskum, Chanie’s sister, had this to say:

“The people in Peterborough and at Trent have always had a spot in my heart. I would like to thank Trent for continuing to honour Chanie, and for their leadership in Indigenous education.”

Photo via Trent University

“I am so proud to attend the opening of the Chanie Wenjack School for Indigenous Studies with Chanie’s sisters, Pearl, Daisy and Evelyn,” adds Mike Downie, co-founder of the Gord Downie and Chanie Wenjack Fund, who also attended the launch event.

“Trent University has been, and continues to be, a leader in Indigenous education to break down barriers between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians through their programming, resources, and initiatives.”

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