The Art School of Peterborough Earns First-Place Honours in DBIA's Holiday Window Contest

The Art School of Peterborough has earned the title of first place for the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) annual Downtown Holiday Window Contest announced on Wednesday.

This year’s theme was ‘Winter Wonderland’ that was launched on Nov. 14 in conjunction with DBIA’s Holiday Shopping Passports.

Raine Knudsen, The Art School of Peterborough receptionist released the following statement after being declared the winner:

"The Art School of Peterborough is humbled to win 1st place in the 2022 Holiday Window Contest! Thank you so much to everyone who has shown their support; to our students, our instructors and coworkers, our neighbours, and our local Peterborough community.

This year, we were inspired to create a woodland scene, with our favourite lovable forest creatures all joyfully hand-drawn with care. Just like a snowflake, the Peterborough community is extraordinary in every way, you are one of a kind, a fantastic individual, an exceptional find.

In celebration of the season, all visitors who happen to stop by the Art School will be treated to a hand-made ceramic snowflake ornament crafted by our talented art students. 

Thanks Peterborough, for all the support and love you’ve shown us, and so many other local businesses and non-profits this holiday season. The Art School wishes everyone a bright and beautiful winter holiday and happy new year!” 

This year’s winners are: 

• 1st place — The Art School of Peterborough, 174A Charlotte St.

• 2nd Place — Fork It, 288 Charlotte St.

• 3rd Place — The Capital PTBO 370 George St.

The top three winners received $1,000, $500 and $300 for their winning windows. Locals voted online for their top three holiday window displays throughout the contest period from Nov. 14 to Dec. 5.  

“We love seeing our shop owners put their own creative spin on the holidays with our Holiday Window Contest. It really sets the tone of the season and brings a lot of charm into our historic downtown shopping district,” said Terry Guiel, DBIA executive director. “It’s incredible to see the community support our small businesses throughout the competition. This season we saw a record-breaking number of votes through our online voting portal with over 3000 votes cast.” 

To view this year's window display entries, locals can go online to theBoro.ca

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Peterborough DBIA Launches Holiday Shopping Passports; Hosting Holiday Window Contest

The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) has launched its holiday season programs including Holiday Shopping Passports and Window Contest announced at the Venture North Building on Monday.

(from left to right) Terry Guiel, DBIA executive director; Jocelyn Gilmour, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourish visitor experience officer and Hilary Flood, DBIA communications and marketing manager kicking off the DBIA’s holiday. Every $100 locally spent is up to $48 stays in our community, compared to just $14 at big box stores according to the DBIA. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The passport returns is a rewards incentive program to shop and enjoy downtown Peterborough with 152 participating stores.

Last year’s program saw shoppers stamp more than $2.6 million worth of Holiday Shopping Passports. Each $10 spent earns a stamp and every filled card — of $200 spent — earns a ballot for a grand prize of a $1,500 Boro Gift Card drawn on Jan. 11. Early Bird Draws draw on Dec. 7, 14 and 21 where a $500 Boro Gift Card is being given out to one person on its respective day.

Free stamps are available at the Peterborough Public Library, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Visitors Centre and the DBIA office.  

“This year, we decided to launch both our Passport program and Holiday Window contest in tandem to really increase a sense of excitement and holiday ambiance in the downtown core,” said Terry Guiel, DBIA executive director. “Our small businesses put a lot of care and love into the holiday season to capture the magic and charm of in-person shopping.”   

Photo courtesy of DBIA.

Shoppers can vote online for their favourite storefronts from Nov. 14 to Dec. 6. for the DBIA’s Holiday Window Contest with the theme as Winter Woodland. They can be seen online or in-person at downtown locations for the holiday displays.

The prizing for the winning stores are as follows:

• First place: $1,000

• Second place: $500

• Third place: $300

Photo courtesy of DBIA.

The DBIA has partnered with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism to increase tourist shopping for the downtown core as out-of-town shoppers play a major role in the economic health of downtown according to the DBIA.

Peterborough and the Kawarthas Tourism designed ‘The Peterborough HAULiday Gifting Getaway’ hotel package that offers visitors an opportunity to receive a $100 Boro Gift Card and a swag bag with local gifts. Tourists receive this when they book an overnight stay at any one of the participating hotels in the City of Peterborough between Nov. 14 and Dec. 23.

“We are excited to be working alongside our partners at the DBIA to support local hotels during a need period in the late fall shoulder season and to encourage increased spending in the downtown during the holiday shopping season,” says Joe Rees, director of tourism, Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development.

The City of Peterborough is providing free two-hour parking downtown beginning Black Friday (Nov. 26) until the end of December courtesy of Wolfe Lawyers.

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DBIA Unveils Two Large-Scale Murals To Enhance Downtown Peterborough Streetscape

The Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) has unveiled two new large-scale murals to enhance the streetscape experience through public art.

Artist Julii McMillan next to her creation, “Monarch Monolith” outside Peterborough Square’s courtyard. It took her and assistant Samantha Chiusolo three and a half days to complete. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The murals are located just outside the Peterborough Square courtyard and on the corner of George Street and King Street along the Village of Thai building.

These art pieces serve as the DBIA’s renewed focus towards street art as a means to create an attractive downtown area.

The Peterborough Square piece is a monarch-themed mural created by artist Julii McMillan and assistant Samantha Chiusolo. It repurposed a large defunct pillar near the Market Hall entrance, below the clock tower. Described as being similar to a butterfly, the pillar has undergone a metamorphosis and now stands as a magnificent cylindrical art piece.

“Public art is powerful. It can bring people together over shared values, inspire pride and responsibility in the surrounding community,” said McMillan. “It brings colour and joy and moments of discovery for all ages when they stumble upon it. Public art is place-making. It asks us to stop and pay attention, to wonder and play a little more.”

Artist Katie Irwin took roughly a week to paint her “Boro” mural at the side of Village of Thai on the corner of George Street and King Street. Photo by David Tuan Bui.

The other mural titled, ‘Welcome to The Boro’ is roughly 105 sq. ft. and has been installed to greet visitors and refresh the experience of entering the downtown. It was created by Katie Irwin who has had her work displayed at the First Friday Art Crawl and Art Gallery of Peterborough.

The mural displays Peterborough in its natural environment with the Otonabee River running through the image. 

“These two new murals will entice foot traffic and interest to the area. We were inspired by First Friday PTBO, which had great success with a mural by Kathryn Durst in Bankers Commons on Water street a few years ago,” says Terry Guiel, DBIA executive director. “We are so grateful to have the opportunity to add more art to our vibrant downtown. Street art plays a vital role in nurturing safe and welcoming spaces by connecting people to public space while magnifying the profile of our local arts community.”

Both murals were funded by the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund (TRF), through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario).

The DBIA, alongside 36 other regional tourism organizations, have received $2.8 million in support for tourism relief in the Peterborough, Kawarthas and Northumberland regions.

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Five Local Artists Reimagine Downtown Peterborough Through The Illustrated Boro Project

The Downtown Business Improvement Area’s (DBIA) Illustrated Boro Project commissions local artists to create illustrations of downtown shops with funding from the federal government’s Tourism Relief Fund.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

Five local artists were selected to create ten illustrations of downtown shops through this initiative. Each Illustrator featured businesses based on their own personal connection to Peterborough’s downtown business district. Viewers are encouraged to look at the city centre through the eyes of the artist.

Art from Jason Wilkins, Samantha Chiusolo, Julii McMillan, Kathryn Durst and Brooklin Holbrough feature prominent downtown businesses such as Mark Jokinen Books, Statement House, Ritual Apothecary, Night Kitchen, Couture Candy, Providence, The Food Shop, Bijoux Bar, Blue Streak Records and Black Honey Café.

The DBIA’s Illustrated Boro project aims to explore downtown Peterborough through an artistic lens while showcasing local talent in the arts community.

“As a newer resident to Peterborough, I felt so honoured to be a part of this wonderful collaboration with the DBIA, the shops and fellow artists. My family and I have had the pleasure to meet wonderful shop owners that help remind us, we are a part of a larger community, with whom we will support and foster new long-lasting relationships,” said Samantha Chiusolo. “Speaking as an artist, this project has helped support my foray into narrative illustration as well as build up a fellowship within the artist’s community.”

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough DBIA.

A public art exhibit at the First Friday Art Crawl on Friday showcased the artists’ work with a group art show in celebration of downtown businesses and shop owners. The art show sales of postcard sets (including all ten artworks), prints and original works have all proceeds going directly to the artists.  

The Illustrated Boro project was funded by the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund (TRF), through the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario) to help local tourism organizations and businesses safely welcome back visitors and recover from impacts of the pandemic while preparing for future growth. The DBIA and 36 other regional tourism organizations have received $2.8 million in support for tourism relief in the Peterborough, Kawarthas and Northumberland region.

“With the Illustrated Boro project, we honour the art of illustration with drawings of familiar Downtown Peterborough shops handpicked by five local artists. This is how they see their favourite businesses in The Boro. These talented artists see what others may only catch a glimpse of; whimsy, charm and a generosity of spirit, a few hallmarks of The Boro,” says Sacha Lai-Svirk, DBIA marketing committee chair and board of directors member.

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Peterborough DBIA Receives Over $96,000 In Tourism Support from The Government of Canada

Peterborough’s Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) received $96,100 from the Government of Canada’s Tourism Relief Fund to attract visitors and support future growth in the community.

Photo courtesy of the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area.

The money came from Regional Tourism Organization 8 (RTO8) through FedDev Ontario, a system through the Government of Canada that delivers programs and services to support the growth of local economies.

The DBIA is a not-for-profit organization that represents downtown businesses, with focus on promoting and advocating for the downtown and it’s businesses. According to a press release, this investment will help the DBIA adapt and recover to attract new visitors and drive economic growth in downtown Peterborough.

“Guided by our strategic plan, we are always working to create and maintain a vibrant and attractive downtown area for locals and visitors,” said Terry Guiel, DBIA executive director. “With the help of the Tourism Relief Fund, we are able to implement several new projects that will enhance the visitor experience when visiting Downtown Peterborough.”

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The EL(P) and Capra Toro Declared Co-Winners of Second Annual Peterborough Mac + Cheese Festival

After a month of-long culinary competition, restaurants The EL (P) and Capra Toro have been crowned co-winners of the second annual Peterborough Mac + Cheese Festival announced by the Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) on Thursday.

Nathan Manwell, Capra Toro chef (left) and Danea Humber, The EL (P) head chef (right) sharing in both restaurants’ first Peterborough Mac + Cheese Festival title win. Photo courtesy of the DBIA.

The EL(P) earned their win with a three-cheese chorizo ‘beermac’ while Capra Toro created a baked Birra Formaggio for their winning dish.

“It’s beer and cheese man. What’s better than those two ingredients?” said Eric Beyer, EL(P) sous chef. “Mix in some chorizo and a fantastic cornbread (made in-house) by resident baker Kelsey and the dish just sings.”

“We are just so incredibly blown away at being crowned top mac this year,” said Nathan Manwell, Capra Toro chef.  “Last season we almost won, coming in second place. We are over-the-moon excited to bring home a win this time around.”

As the winners, both restaurants received a cheesy hand-crafted trophy, a sizable donation to Kawartha Food Share in their respective names and bragging rights.

Runner-ups included a spinach and artichoke mac and cheese dip from Champs Sports Bar, followed by The Black Horse Pub’s sweet potato mac.

During all of last month, there were 20 signature mac and cheese dishes featured in downtown restaurants as part of the competition.

Over 1,000 votes were cast to determine the top mac and cheese dish on offer.  

The winning recipe(s) from both years’ competitions are available online.

Sam’s Place won the inaugural Peterborough Mac + Cheese Festival with a jalapeño bacon mac & cheesewich last year.

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Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area Elects Board of Management Representatives.

The Peterborough Downtown Business Improvement Area (DBIA) has elected twelve representatives to the Board of Management after their annual general meeting at Showplace last Wednesday.

DBIA members elected:

• Gregorious Erico - Lett Architects

• Jason Wilkins - Wilkins Art and Creative

• Joe Reese - Peterborough and the Kawarthas Tourism

• Laura Montague - Ashburnham Realty

• Madeleine Hurrell - Peterborough and the Kawarthas Economic Development

• Mark Million - The Capitol Ptbo

• Michael Cherney - Cherney Properties

• Neil Hannam - V Formation

• Nigel Lister - Pioneer Inc.

• Paul Hurley - Engage Engineering

• Sacha Lai-Svirk - Outpost 379

• Tiffany Arcari - Peterborough and the Kawarthas Chamber of Commerce

“We are thrilled to have some new perspectives at the board level representing our downtown,” said Terry Guiel, DBIA executive director. “It’s encouraging to see so many dedicated and generous people wanting to volunteer their time to help build a more vibrant central business district for everyone.”

The new board is composed of three previous board members and nine newcomers. Returning members include Michael Cherney, Laura Montague and Sacha Lai-Svirk.

With the approval of City council, the twelve newly elected board members will begin their four-year terms in December of 2022. The thirteenth member of the board will be a representative of City Council, a position currently held by Councillor Kemi Akapo.

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The Boro Is Calling All Budding Or Seasoned Gardeners To Help Beautify Downtown With Planters

The Boro has put a call out for anyone, experienced or not, that would like to volunteer to plant patio planters on Saturday from 8 a.m. - 12 p.m. or 4 p.m. - 8 p.m.

Stock Photo.

Volunteers do not need any gardening experience, or equipment. Kids are welcome though they must be accompanied by an adult.

A complimentary, local lunch provided for the morning shift and dinner for the afternoon shift.

Volunteers are to meet at the Peterborough Square Mall courtyard at Water Street and Charlotte Street. Washrooms will be available at the mall all day.

Both sessions will include a brief introduction to gardening.

Those interested in volunteering should email dawn@ptbodbia.ca to sign up and to share any allergies or dietary restrictions.

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Local Artists And Peterborough Community Rally In Support Of The Painted Paddle Project

A final farewell exhibit of The Painted Paddle will be on display at this month’s First Friday event on April 1 from 6 - 10 p.m. inside the Jason Wilkins Factory to commemorate the ending of a month-long public art initiative and online auction.

Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA.

During the month of March, a series of 34 hand-painted paddles were displayed in store windows throughout the downtown as part of an interactive self-guided art tour and online auction.

The public art initiative created opportunity for Peterborough residents to celebrate the connection to the waterways in the Nogojiwanong/Peterborough while mobilizing local artists to create wonderful works of art for a very good cause.

With so many local artists attributed to the project the Painted Paddle was a true showcase of our visual art scene. Residents embraced the self-guided art installation- which garnering over 7,000 views online through the exhibit’s interactive paddle map.

34 local artists donated their time to the project.

"What I have come to understand, is that I truly come to life when I am creating, and I am an artist at the core of my being, striving to creatively maneuver this life,” said Kelly Albin of Blue Frog Legs Studio. “I believe art has the ability to bring people together and is an integral part of our community as it provides us with a means of authentic connection regardless of educational, socioeconomic, language or cultural barriers."

Community members raised over $6,000 while bidding on paddles.

All proceeds raised through the online Painted Paddle auction will support the Downtown Green Team, a DBIA partnership with the One City Employment Program. Proceeds will fund a downtown horticultural maintenance crew for people who are experiencing barriers to traditional employment.

Friday will be the last chance to view the entire Painted Paddle exhibition before the paddles are divided up to auction winners.

Paddles will be on display at 6 p.m. on Friday at Jason Wilkins Factory Action winners will be able to pick up their paddle art pieces at the Jason Wilkins Factory from 8 - 10 p.m.

“I am super excited that my studio, the Jason Wilkins Factory, will be displaying all 34 beautiful paddles created by local artists for the DBIA’s Paddle Project, to raise funds for One City Peterborough,” Jason Wilkins, local artist and owner of Jason Wilkins Factory. “It’ll be amazing to see all that beautiful work together in one spot and hung alongside other works by 15 Peterborough Arts Collective artists- for our monthly group show.”

For more information on the Painted Paddle project contact the DBIA Vibrancy Manager, Dawn Pond by email at dawn@ptbodbia.ca.

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Painted Paddle Art Exhibit Returns To Downtown Windows

The Downtown Business Improvement Area will be celebrating local art and our connection with the waterways here in the Nogojiwanong/Peterborough area with the second annual Painted Paddle outdoor public art exhibit in March

Photo courtesy of Peterborough DBIA.

The Painted Paddle self-guided outdoor exhibit will include a series of 33 paddle art installations in Peterborough’s central entertainment and shopping district. During the month of March, locals will be able to tour the paddle art exhibits by visiting a number of storefront windows scattered throughout the downtown, as part of an art crawl experience.

“We are so thrilled for the return of the Painted Paddle outdoor art exhibit. This is the kind of positive intervention that livens our downtown shop windows during what many consider a more dreary month in the Canadian calendar,” said Terry Guiel, Executive Director of the Peterborough DBIA. “With the world opening back up, people are eager to get out and explore again and the Painted Paddle is slated to capture that enthusiasm for adventure while highlighting the incredible wealth of artistic talent we have right here in Peterborough.”

Local businesses providing window space for the paddle art installations include: The Boardwalk Game Lounge, Cork and Bean, Watson and Lou, Cottage Toys, GreenUP Store, Pammett’s Flowers, The Earth Food Shop, Fork It and many more.

Each paddle will be as unique as the artist, showcasing the many talented visual artists we have in the area. Paddle artists and organizations contributing art for the Painted Paddle include: Trent Gzowski College, Princess Gardens Retirement Residence, Empress Gardens Retirement Residence, Beth LeBlonc, Jason Wilkins, Miguel Hernandez Autorino, Rachel Dyck, Kate Irwin, Brianna Gosselin, and many more.

“I am so excited to take part in this project to support our city and the power that art can bring, especially when different artist come together,” said Cree artist Nuin-Tara ᓄᐃᓐᑕᕋ. “This piece is significant to me because it tells a story I have learned along my journey of connecting with my Cree culture. I think it’s important for connections to be made, and art is one way to bring people of all cultures together.”

The Painted Paddle exhibit will be on display until March 30. Exhibition paddles will be available for auction from March 11 at 8 p.m. – March 25 at 8 p.m. ahead of the First Friday event on April 1. All proceeds raised through the online auction will support the Downtown Green Team, a DBIA partnership with the One City Employment Program to create a downtown horticultural crew and create two seasonal positions for people who are experiencing barriers to traditional employment. For the virtual auction visit https://www.32auctions.com/boropaintedpaddles.

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 at https://linktr.ee/LoveForTheBoro.

For more information on the Painted Paddle project contact the DBIA Placemaking Project Manager, Dawn Pond by email at dawn@ptbodbia.ca.

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