Youth Art Mentorship Program Presents 'Being In The World' At The Art Gallery Of Peterborough

The Art Gallery of Peterborough invites the public to celebrate the opening of Being in the World, works from the Youth Art Mentorship Program on June 25 at 4 p.m.

SPENCER J. HARRISON IN HIS STUDIO. PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ART GALLERY OF PETERBOROUGH.

This exhibition is the culmination of the Youth Art Mentorship Program (YAM), which began in Fall 2021 to provide a unique opportunity for youth artists to gain hands-on experience and insights supporting their future careers in the arts.

Selected by a jury of arts professionals, these young artists worked with mentor Spencer J. Harrison to produce an exhibition that speaks to the process of navigating being.

"Working with artists at this stage in their careers is fantastic; they are unencumbered by the art world around them and make honest work interpreting their worlds,” said Harrison. “These young artists each made very different artwork that really reveals how they see and understand their surroundings. I believe they will teach us and change the world."

YAM fostered three artists.

Sama Hojabri, a grade 12 art student enrolled in the Thomas A. Stewart Integrated Arts program for Visual Arts, was born in Tehran, Iran and grew up in a family with an artistic background.

She mainly uses pencil crayons and acrylic paint, but she has also experimented with pen and ink, collage, wood engraving, sculpture, ceramics, screen printing, oil painting, encaustic, digital, charcoal, photography, graphite, and watercolor.

Toula Pappas received her first set of pencil crayons when she was six years old, which led her to her first art class at the Art Gallery of Peterborough.

She has won many poster contests and art competitions including the Top Art Student Award at St. Peter’s Catholic Secondary School in Grade 10, and she was selected to paint a mural for the school’s GSA club.

Enzo Stimpson has been invested in art from a very young age and in recent years has found passion in photography. He was brought up in an extremely artistic household and always felt drawn to the arts rather than sports or academics.

Stimpson began started making comics at a young age and quickly became fond of charcoals and other mediums but didn't find that any of them 'clicked' until taking a photography class with local artists Jason Wilkins and Daniel Crawford. Stimpson is a grade 12 student in the Integrated Arts Program at TASS for visual arts.

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 Puts A Call Out For Volunteers For Board Of Directors

The Art Gallery of Peterborough is accepting applications for volunteers to join their Board of Directors and multiple committees.

Photo courtesy of The City of Peterborough.

"If you are an art lover and enthusiastic about supporting your regional gallery and connecting people with art, share your story and apply to join our Board of Directors. Help the gallery offer programs that will speak to your friends and neighbours," said the Art Gallery of Peterborough.

The Art Gallery of Peterborough (AGP) is encouraging applications from members of equity-seeking communities; including women, racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and persons of all sexual orientations and gender identities/expressions, regardless of age.

Applications are due by 5 p.m. on March 31.

For more information and details on how to apply visit the AGP's website at agp.on.ca or call 705-743-9179.

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 Art Gallery of Peterborough to Reopen on Friday

After undergoing month-long renovations, the Art Gallery of Peterborough and Gallery Shop are reopening on Friday.

Photo courtesy of the City of Peterborough.

The gallery has been closed since Feb. 2 for the installation of a new lighting system. The reopening includes exciting new exhibitions according to the Art Gallery.

The shop sells ceramic, glass, jewelry and more. Their items feature artists and makers from the Peterborough-Kawartha region and beyond.

For more updates visit www.agp.on.ca

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 to Be Temporarily Closed While Undergoing Renovations

The Art Gallery of Peterborough will be closed to the public, while undergoing renovations, for the month of January beginning Jan. 3, 2022.

File Photo.

This closure will accommodate lighting improvements to the main gallery space and the installation of new exhibitions.

Online programming will continue on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Visit the Art Gallery’s website at www.agp.on.ca for digital programming, news and updates.

The Art Gallery’s holiday hours:

• December 23 to 26: Closed

• December 29 to 31: Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• January 1: Closed

• January 2: Open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

• January 3: Closed

Proof of vaccination is required to visit the gallery. To contact the gallery, phone 705-743-9179 or email gallery@agp.on.ca.

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 Launches Inaugural Youth Art Mentorship Program

The Art Gallery of Peterborough has launched its inaugural Youth Art Mentorship program, announced on Thursday.

Spencer J. Harrison in his studio. Photo courtesy of the Art Gallery of Peterborough.

This program will give youth entering their final years of high school the opportunity to gain hands-on experience and insights into the arts profession.

Led by artist, activist, and educator, Spencer J. Harrison, students will explore the profession through educational and training workshops, all culminating in a group exhibition at the Art Gallery of Peterborough.

This program is comprised of two phases. Free Portfolio Reviews, designed to offer critical feedback to youth. Youth must register for this program by Nov. 24.

Successful applicants in the juried Call for Submissions will work with Artist Mentor (Spencer J. Harrison) and their peers to develop a body of work to present in a group exhibition at the Art Gallery of Peterborough. Applications for this program open on Dec. 1.

This program is open to all youth currently enrolled in Grade 11 and 12, living in the City and County of Peterborough.

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

Celebrate 40 Years of The Art Gallery of Peterborough At Their Open House

The Art Gallery of Peterborough is celebrating their 40th Anniversary and is inviting you to a behind-the-scenes look during their open house.

Head over to 250 Crescent Street on Canada Day from 1 to 4 p.m. and experience the gallery for free. There will be guided vault tours offering a rare glimpse into behind-the-scenes work at the gallery as well as selected works from their Permanent Collection. 

Stay connected to the Art Gallery of Peterborough by following them on Facebook.

[Contributed by PtboCanada's Evan Holt]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook.

Homecoming: The Bierk Brothers Art Exhibit "After" Opens June 28th At Art Gallery Of Peterborough

For brothers Alex, Jeff, Nick, and Charlie, this summer is a homecoming years in the making. Sons of the late great artist David Bierk, they are bringing their own brand of art to display at Art Gallery of Peterborough in an exhibit titled "AFTER" from June 28th to August 31st—along with some of their father's work as well.

Having grown up in Peterborough under the watchful tutelage of David—one of the greatest artists our country has ever known—the brothers have evolved into incredible artists in their own right. After years of study and practice, and many life experiences, they have carved out a niche for themselves unmatched amongst their peers.

photo by Jeff Bierk

Growing up with well-known siblings Sebastian (musician)—known as Sebastian Bach—Zac (former pro goalie), and sister Dylan (model/actress), these four now have the spotlight on themselves and rightly so.

Alex, Nick and Charlie have all taken up the brush like their father, creating works that need to be seen first-hand to be believed. Jeff, in his own right, has become a photographer whose images capture incredible and often times unreal scenes and subjects.

Painting by Alex Bierk

While they have all moved to Toronto to continue the careers, they have worked so hard—and fulfilled a dream—to return to their hometown to display their work.

People who may have known them as youngsters will be amazed at the growth and development they have achieved through years of putting in time and effort to perfect their crafts.

For more information on "AFTER" exhibit, click here. Follow the Bierk brothers on Twitter @AlexBierk, @JeffBierk, @NickBierk and @CharlieBierk.

—by Aaron Elliott

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram, and Like us on Facebook.

Two New Shows Opened This Weekend At Art Gallery Of Peterborough & Artspace

Opening this past Friday evening were shows at Artspace and the Art Gallery of Peterborough. Artspace presents Are We There Yet, a group show, presenting with diverse work of Lauren Hall, Gareth Lichty and Sam Mogelonsky.

The large front space features a playful "rug" woven of garden hose. It's fun, plastic nature is a poke at our collected yerning for the perfect outdoor space. It's an interesting piece to walk around.

Also featured are interesting colourful channelled landscapes from Hall, who uses clear corregate and coloured powders to create "perfect sunsets" with parallel gradients of colour. Mogelonsky pieces these diverse works together with his neon title piece, "Wish You Were Here".

The show runs January 13th, 2012 to February 25th, 2012.   

See Artspace-arc.org for more information.

------------------

At The Art Gallery of Peterborough, opening on Friday evening was a range of work connected throughout the public spaces. Titled Steaming Alterity, this presentation brings together the diverse work of artists Rebecca Belmore, Natalie Wood, Christina Zeidler, Emelie Chhangur and Johanna Householder.

The work these women make draws from themes of activism, places, internal context and self within a wider world. Using photography, video, collage and physical still-life, an adventure awaits the visitor. Plan on being generous with your time here.

The show runs January 13th to March 4th.

See Agp.on.ca for more information.

[Text and pic by PtboCanada's Jeffrey Macklin]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

Stuff To Do In The Patch This Weekend (Including Watching A Polar Plunge!)

Saturday:

Peterborough Symphony Orchestra presents Latin Heat featuring Marion Newman - Showplace Performance Centre - 8 p.m.

Africville Productions presents Celebrating Difference - The Venue - 8 p.m., Tickets $25 at the door

Sunday:

Kawartha Wilds Tracking Club - 9 a.m., meet at the Camp Kawartha Environment Centre. An opportunity to track and trail local wildlife (map) - FREE 

Family Sundays at Art Gallery of Peterborough - 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., FREE

31st Annual Polar Plunge (see graphic at right), Rotary Park, Ennismore - 2 p.m.

To submit info for "Stuff to do in the Patch This Weekend", email evan@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.

Dude Speaks Quickly At The Art Gallery of Peterborough For A Good Cause

[Art Gallery of Peterborough fundraiser; The Peterborough Examiner]

Tip us at tips@ptbocanada.com. Follow us on Twitter @Ptbo_Canada.