Art Gallery of Peterborough Starts Preparations For 50th Anniversary

The Art Gallery of Peterborough (AGP) is marking its 50th anniversary next year as preparations are underway for celebrations and recruiting a paid intern to aid with several special projects.

The Art Gallery of Peterborough was established in 1974 and opened the doors to its current facility in 1979 on the shore of Little Lake, the Otonabee River. Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The gallery received funding from Canadian Heritage through the Young Canada Works at Building Careers in Heritage Program for the celebrations. This internship program is geared towards unemployed or underemployed college or university graduates and supports emerging professionals in making the transition from post-secondary education to the workplace and allows them to hone their skills in a professional setting.

“As the gallery prepares to celebrate fifty years of compelling and groundbreaking exhibitions in 2024,” explained Celeste Scopelites, AGP director. “We’ll work with the Curatorial and Special Programs Intern on several exciting projects that engage our audience in a dialogue between the gallery’s past, present, and future.  Our goal is to reconnect with our founding members and share the stories of those who contributed so much to ensure we remain a vital and relevant cornerstone of the arts in our community for years to come.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Market Hall Gets New Lighting Equipment and Projector With Ontario Grant

Since Market Hall Performing Arts Centre received a $149,100 capital grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) late last year, the venue was able to purchase a projector and new lighting equipment to improve visibility and accessibility for future arts presentations.

(From left to right) Joe Grant, Market Hall Board Chair; MPP Dave Smith; Chad Hogan, Market Hall general manager and Jennifer Cavanagh, Market Hall Board member. Last year, OTF invested over $110M into 1,022 community projects and partnerships. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

Market Hall invited Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP — who presented the grant — back to see what improvements were made from the grant.

“It is great to see the results of the work that Market Hall has been able to do thanks to this grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation,” said Dave Smith, Peterborough-Kawartha MPP. “These funds have allowed Market Hall Performance Art Centre to advance their facility and continue to serve the community by providing a space for everyone to enjoy.”

The grant allowed Market Hall to purchase and install a state-of-the-art projector for film and theatre performances. The theatre was also able to cover the cost for buying and installing new, state-of-the-art lighting elements. These upgrades will help extend the life of the Market Hall Performing Arts Centre and provide the community with a terrific space for arts performances according to Chad Hogan, Market Hall general manager.

“We want to say thank you to the Ontario Trillium Foundation for their generous support of the arts and culture in Peterborough,” he said. “Filmmakers and community groups alike will be able to screen their films with the highest quality available. And the lighting will improve the visual aesthetic for performances. So, overall, it’s a tremendous visual upgrade for the space.”

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for our newsletter here.

Artisanal Retail Store Handmade Heaven Expands Storefront In Lansdowne Place

Less than four months after its grand opening, artisanal retail store, Handmade Heaven has expanded its space to accommodate more artists to sell their products at Lansdowne Place on Tuesday morning.

All photos by David Tuan Bui.

Photo courtesy of Handmade Heaven.

The store could sell products from 90 local artisans prior to the expansion. Owner Sam Milne said he was overwhelmed with how many people were on his waitlist and that expanding his storefront was an easy decision.

“I knew Peterborough was good for artisans and makers but I had no idea that there'd be this many people applying,” he explained. “I had about 150 on the waitlist to get in so when this unit beside my current unit became available, I knew I had to take it up just to get all the makers in there to sell their products in our store.”

The new space helps support up to 145 handmade entrepreneurs with room for the number to grow. More artisans bring more unique products to be sold such as bead paintings, baby clothes, chunky blankets, resin-based works and alpaca apparel. 

The expanded storefront is located across from Dollarama on the upper floor, beside the original location. Handmade Heaven first opened on May 1. All artisans and artists keep 100 per cent of the sales in exchange for paying rent to use the retail space.

“You know they're handmade, you know they're local, you're supporting local businesses and you feel good about your purchases,” said Milne.

Local artisans that want to rent space in the store must fill out an application online.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for newsletter here.

4th Line Theatre Adding Additional Performance of The Cavan Blazers For This Monday

Due to multiple sellouts of the show, 4th Line Theatre has added an additional performance of The Cavan Blazers slated for this Monday at 6 p.m.

Patrick and Anne arguing during a production of The Cavan Blazers. Photo courtesy of 4th Line THeatre.

The production, written by Robert Winslow and directed by Kim Blackwell, is in its seventh iteration over the past 32 years.

The play is a gritty, intense play that has the audience on the edge of its seat from start to finish. This drama chronicles the religious conflict between Catholic and Protestant Irish settlers in Cavan Township in the early to mid-nineteenth century. Violence erupts when a Protestant vigilante gang known as the Cavan Blazers tries to stop a Catholic settlement from being established as stated by a press release.

The theatre is featuring local music under the big tent and Black Honey Bakery will be present with power bowls with vegan options and snack packs. The concession stand and BBQ will also be open.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Tiktok, Youtube and LinkedIn. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for newsletter here.

Hometown PTBO: Dwayne Gretzky's Nick Rose and Tyler Kyte About Performing and Growing Up With Musicfest and Their Notable Television Appearences

This week on Hometown PTBO, Pete Dalliday talks to Nick Rose and Tyler Kyte of Dwayne Gretzky about becoming staple performers at Peterborough Musicfest, their memories of the free-concert series growing up and their filmography that you may recognize from the late 90s.

Engage with us on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Write to us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Sign up for PTBOBuzz newsletter here.

The City’s Public Art Program Announces Selected Poets for the Renaissance on Hunter Poetry Gardens

The City of Peterborough Public Art Program has announced the selection of poets commissioned as part of the Renaissance on Hunter Poetry Gardens Project.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

From mid-July to mid-October the Renaissance on Hunter Poetry Gardens will feature works by local poets; Laurie Graham, Jen Cole, Bruce Whiteman, Jon Hedderwick, Justin Million, PJ Thomas, Chantel Daniels, Bon Scott, Esther Vincent and Laura Murray.

The poems are installed in the temporary planters adjacent to the Renaissance on Hunter Road Murals on Hunter Street between George and Aylmer streets, and will change monthly over the course of the summer.

In June the gardens featured poetry by the 2023 Poet Laureate, Ziysah von Bieberstein and Peterborough’s first Poet Laureate, Sarah Lewis.

As part of the project, GreenUp was commissioned to design and install the gardens that form the backdrop for the poems. The gardens feature an array of perennial native plantings that are drought-tolerant and thrive in full sun. Plantings include purple coneflower, yarrow, hairy beardtongue, anise hyssop, brown-eyed Susan and nodding wild onion, as well as a selection of prairie grasses. Many are now in full bloom.  

This announcement coincides with the completion of the 2023 road murals, created through the Road Mural Mentorship Program.  

The road mural artist teams by site are:

Site 1: Odoonabii II by mentor Aaron Robitaille, with mentees Kelly King, Em Farquhar Barrie, and Holly Edwards.

Site 2: Glacial Formation II by mentor Josh Morley, with mentees Sarah St. Pierre and Bethany Davis.

Site 3: Flight of the Pollinators II by mentor Brooklin Holbrough, with mentees Justine- Marie Williams and Deanna Henry.

Site 4: Nothing Out of Reach II by mentor Nuin-Tara Morin, with mentees Aryan Bhagat and Cassandra Shaw.

Twenty-three local artists were commissioned as part of the Renaissance on Hunter public art projects this year. For more information about the projects and the artists visit the City’s Public Art website.

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.

The Faculty Art Exhibition Returns to the Haliburton School of Art + Design

An annual art exhibition celebrating the creative talents of faculty at the Haliburton School of Art + Design (HSAD) will return to the school this summer.

photo courtesy of fleming college Haliburton School of Art + Design.

‘Hand of the Maker’ runs from June 26 to August 18. 

The exhibit features thirty pieces of work from Haliburton’s faculty in a wide range of mediums, including ceramics, painting, jewelry, and metal work.  

An opening reception takes place July 3 from 4:45 p.m. to 6 p.m. in the Great Hall.  

Both the reception and the exhibit are open to the public and free to attend. 

Other events at HSAD:  

Art Talk, July 5 – Aug. 9 in the Great Hall  

Running each Wednesday evening, Art Talk is a series of focused discussions touching on everything from Mad Comics to the history of seed beads.  

Live Music in the Great Hall, July 6 to Aug. 10  

Join us Thursday evenings for some live entertainment. Doors open at 4 p.m., and guests are welcome to walk around HSAD, meet faculty and learn about the art created by our multitalented students.  

More information on Haliburton’s programming, summer activities and faculty can be found here.  

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.

Public Art Project Renaissance On Hunter 2023 Is Underway

The 2023 Renaissance on Hunter public art projects are underway, with the installation of a series of road murals and poetry gardens on Hunter Street between George and Aylmer.

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough

Now in its third year, Renaissance on Hunter is a public art initiative that is coordinated through the City of Peterborough public art program with support from the Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) and GreenUP.

The Poetry Gardens Project

Designed and installed by GreenUP, the gardens were planted in late May, with prairie grasses and native flowering plants. The meandering wildflower meadow will serve as a backdrop for a rotation of poetry from June to September. This month the gardens feature works by the 2023 Poet Laureate, Ziysah von Bieberstein, and Peterborough’s first Poet Laureate, Sarah Lewis. The names of the nine poets whose work will be featured over the summer will be announced at the end of the month.

The Road Mural Project

The 2023 road murals are being installed through a mentorship program. Ten artists were selected to be mentored under the artists who created the 2022 road murals. The teams will work together to refresh the 2022 murals and incorporate elements designed by the mentees. Road murals are expected to be completed by the end of June, weather permitting.

Artist teams by site

Site 1: Odoonabii II by mentor Aaron Robitaille, with mentees Kelly King, Em Farquhar Barrie, and Holly Edwards.

Site 2: Glacial Formation II by mentor Josh Morley, with mentees Sarah St. Pierre and Bethany Davis.

Site 3: Flight of the Pollinators II by mentor Brooklin Holbrough, with mentees Justine- Marie Williams and Deanna Henry.

Site 4: Nothing Out of Reach II by mentor Nuin-Tara Morin, with mentees Aryan Bhagat and Cassandra Shaw.

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.

TASSS Students Bringing 'The Wizard of Oz' Musical To Life After Three-Year Hiatus

After being unable to cast a theatrical production for three years, students of Thomas A. Stewart Secondary School (TASSS) are back on the stage, putting on ‘The Wizard of Oz’ musical scheduled with four public shows in June.

TASSS students Izzy Lloyd (left) and Aimee Simmons (right) playing Tin Man and Scarecrow in a rehearsal for their musical production of The Wizard of Oz. 50 students are involved in the production with actors in Grades 11 and 12 while Grade 10 students work as stage hands. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The school was unable to put on a play for the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. With a long hiatus, the students are eager to get on stage and perform before a live audience according to Michaela Hetherington, TASSS music director.

“The anticipation and the excitement is really building as we get closer,” she said.

Roughly 50 students are involved in the musical production. Grade 10 students are stagehands while Grades 11 and 12 are performing in the production.

Auditions began back in February and students have been working tirelessly to be ready for showtime in June.

“We have students that help out on their first and second-period spares when they don't have class, lunchtime rehearsals and after school,” explained Hetherington. “They've made costumes, set pieces and painting. If you can think of something that goes into a production, they've done it.”

The production is directed and choreographed by Bryanna Ostrander who is also an instructor at Imagine Studios. Justin Hiscox is the music supervisor of the production.

Dates for the shows are as follows:

• June 1, 7 p.m.

• June 2, 7 p.m.

• June 3, 2 p.m.

• June 3, 7 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased through School Cash Online or at the door at TASSS for $20.

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 Temporarily Closed for Building Maintenance

The Art Gallery of Peterborough will be closed from Wednesday, May 24 to Friday, May 26 to accommodate building maintenance. 

photo courtesy of the city of peterborough.

It will partially reopen with access to the Gallery Shop only on Saturday, May 27 and Sunday, May 28, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. The Gallery’s regular hours will resume on Wednesday, May 31. 

An Opening Reception to celebrate new exhibitions will be held starting at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, June 7 at the Gallery (250 Crescent St.) Admission is free. 

Visit the Gallery’s website to learn more about the Gallery and its programs as well as to find information on current and upcoming exhibitions. 

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.