Second-Annual 'PTBO's Got Talent' Limited Edition T-Shirts Being Sold In Fundraiser For Addiction Support At 'Right to Heal'

To help raise money for addiction support at ‘Right to Heal,’ limited edition t-shirts are being sold for the second edition of ‘PTBO’s Got Talent’ show at Market Hall on April 12.

pHOTO and design courtesy of Jason Wilkins.

The design was created by local artist Jason Wilkins, who is one of four judges for the event alongside Dani Guppy, Tiffany Creasy and Sarah Evans, with Tiffany Arcari of The Tiffany Show as the emcee.

Ricart Branded Apparel & Promo is printing the T-shirts and $10 from each sale will go to Right to Heal.

In addition to the shirts, all ticket sales and draws will benefit the non-profit organization that provides addiction support in a safe environment.

“This is all the brainchild of Patti Clancy, owner of Kawartha Home Health Care, who’s an incredible force for community betterment,” said Wilkins. “Each year Patti chooses a different organization to support through PTBO’s Got Talent.”

The show is meant to showcase local talent in a fun and entertaining format while fundraising for Right to Heal.

Video audition submissions were received until the end of February and Kawartha Home & Health Care Services Inc. selected the contestants. Those selected will compete at the event and the top three will walk away with prizes.

“So far we have 22 acts performing who will score some amazing prizes from local businesses plus tons of giveaways happening during the event for attendees,” said Wilkins.

Shirts can be purchased online or donations can be made through e-transfer at PtboGotTalent@gmail.com with the deadline on Sunday. Tickets for the show are $25 and can be purchased at Kawartha Home Health Care Services (320 Water St., Unit 72). Attendees can also pay a cover charge of $25 at the door on the event day. Door prize donations or sponsorship opportunities can email management@khhcs.ca.

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Hometown PTBO: Jason Wilkins On His Historic Projects and Upcoming Work With the Peterborough Memorial Centre

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks with artist Jason Wilkins about some of the big projects he's done throughout the years, seeking input for a new mural at the Peterborough Memorial Centre and his business, the Jason Wilkins Factory.

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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).

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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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Quaker Oats Celebrates 120th Year On Hunter Street With Limited Edition Clothing Line

Quaker Oats is celebrating the 120th anniversary of its Peterborough factory with the release of a limited edition, Canadian-made clothing line called QUAKERborough.

The limited-edition clothing collection is inspired by the durability grit, and confidence of the hard-working employees at the Quaker Peterborough plant, with 100 per cent of the proceeds being donated to Food Banks Canada.

With an emphasis on the generations of Canadians that have worked at Quaker, the QUAKERborough line is manufactured entirely in Canada by Province of Canada, a manufacturing company located in Toronto.

Jason Wilkins, illustrator, live event artist, muralist and workshop instructor from Peterborough is the creative mind behind the QUAKERborough design.

Wilkins illustrations are featured on the backs of the hoodie and long sleeve.

“I was approached December 2021 to illustrate for their high quality hoodie and long sleeve,” said Wilkins in a social media post on Tuesday. “Something that would incorporate all the awesome that we have here in Peterborough, while presenting that feeling we all get while walking across the Hunter Street bridge. the smell that can not only make a bad day better, but immediately transport us back to childhood.”

The exclusive collection is available online now and with limited quantities of each piece available at quakerborough.ca.

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

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…

I see you’re ready to play 👏🏾😂#Jumanji https://t.co/FZnf11saRd

— Dwayne Johnson (@TheRock) February 14, 2019

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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Inspired by Amy Schumer Photo Peterborough Dad Just Wrote How Dads Feel About Their Daughters

Amy Schumer posted a photo of herself on Monday (November 30th) to her Facebook and Twitter pages that renowned photographer took Annie Leibovitz took. Schumer's caption to the photo: "Beautiful, gross, strong, thin, fat, pretty, ugly, sexy, disgusting, flawless, woman. Thank you Annie Leibovitz."

Beautiful, gross, strong, thin, fat, pretty, ugly, sexy, disgusting, flawless, woman. Thank you @annieleibovitz pic.twitter.com/kc0rIDvHVi

— Amy Schumer (@amyschumer) November 30, 2015

Amy Schumer posted the above photo to her social media channels

A Peterborough father and husband, Jason Wilkins, shared the viral post on his Facebook page along with this powerful message that most every Dad can relate to:

"I love everything about this.

I've witnessed female body image issues run rampant through my family. Now, seeing it in my 9 year old daughter - it's heart breaking. If only the women in my life could see themselves through my eyes. You're all beautiful. Stop letting the media in, and spend more time loving yourselves."

Jason's Facebook post

"When I saw that post by Amy Schumer, it instantly made me happy," Wilkins tells PTBOCanada of his eloquent Facebook post. "We need more of that—much much more where our daughters can see that being a strong, successful woman isn't contingent on a small waist line."

Jason and Averie

"My daughter Averie is a gymnast, artist, silly dancing, practical joke making, loving, caring, bright shining light," Wilkins tells PTBOCanada. "She makes me smile everyday, which is why it kills me when that smile fades and gives way to anxiety and low self esteem, like, 'Look at my stomach Dad, look how fat I am.' As a father, you want your little girl to grow up strong, opinionated, passionate—but more than anything, you want them to love themselves and truly know their worth, without any doubt. So, hearing from your 9-year-old that she is too fat—well, I couldn't feel more helpless."

Wilkins is frustrated by what his daughter sees in the media. He tells PTBOCanada this:

"With the strong pull of media, and the continued push for women to look better, be thinner, have better skin, have better hair, etc. etc, how do our daughter's escape this? I don't have the answer, but I will continue to tell her and show her how much she is loved—how much her brothers, stepmother, mother, grandparents and friends care about her unconditionally."

So... how do we change things? Share your input on our Facebook page.
 

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