Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts

Studio Tour Pit Stop! 2012

admin — Thu, 09 Aug 2012 14:53:17 +0000

Planning on doing the Uxbridge Studio Tour this weekend? The Siloam Hall will be an artistic pit stop of sorts, with fresh coffee and tea and light refreshments. See the details below!

The Studio Tour runs Saturday and Sunday, Sept 15,15, 2012 – 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.

For more information on the Uxbridge Arts Association, please visit the website.

My top 5 moments, so far

admin — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 16:44:24 +0000

While the Celebration is far from over, I wanted to share with you my 5 top moments, so far. I have attended nearly all the events and thoroughly enjoyed this year’s celebration. I have been involved since March, when Sweet World Media was hired to do the promotions this year and we have been on a countdown since then! It’s been so exciting to see everything come together so nicely. ~kirsty

1) Seeing Wynn Walter’s stone, before he started work on it. I was trying guess what it would become as I stood in the morning sunshine.

Picture by Sweet World Media

2) Listening to Rita Jackson accompany Anthony Holt at the Lunch time concert. Listening to their rendition of pieces from Phantom of the Opera sent shivers down my spine. Amazing!

3) Our opening ceremony. It was wonderful to receive the support of the Uxbridge council and the happiness and excitement of what’s about to happen shows on all of the artists faces!

Picture by Stuart Blower Photography

4) The Uxbridge Studio Tour was so much fun! Kids were welcomed, making it a great family event to appreciate our fine artists.

Picture by Sweet World Media

5) I think I will wait until the Celebration is over to decide!! There is still so much to do in the next week!!!

Sculpture Exposé

admin — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 18:44:19 +0000

Over the last 2 years, a group of dedicated and talented artists have given their time to create large pieces of art by taking trees that the Uxbridge Township had removed. The township offered the chance to take the wood and restore the beauty in it in an another way – sculptures. You can actually see a number of them around the Uxbridge town.

Again this year, we will have the opportunity to watch Wynn Walters, Fly Freeman and Francis Muscat as they use a different media to create a sculpture or sculptures – and rumour has it they may be using stone (shhhhhh).

They will be using the Centennial Park as their “studio” so that everyone can stop by and see how they go through the process of creating this art. They are also encouraging you to stop by to learn how they use the tools and techniques of the trade and they also encourage that whole school groups come by to have a very interactive and educational experience.

The most exciting part of this year’s Sculpture Expose, is that the finished product will be the first installations along the new First Leaside Sculpture Trail that will run just beside the new First Leaside Building on the South Balsam Trail. What a wonderful way to marry artists vision and beauty along with natures beauty.

Where – Uxbridge Centennial Park, Centennial Park Drive near Uxbridge Township Offices
When and Time: September 26 – October 7 from 10am – 4pm Monday to Friday
Cost – FREE

What a hoot!

admin — Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:56:17 +0000

What a hoot! The 110^th Anniversary of the “new” Music hall was a whole load of fun – with divas, arguing politicians, the ‘town band’ and a community choir all celebrating (or berating) the arrival of the “Phoenix from the ashes” (the old hall had burned down 8 years earlier). From a backstage standpoint lots of buzz about our period costumes and various hairstyles, especially facial! Great to see, and hear, the audience caught up in the proceedings, from the shouts of ‘Bravo’ and ‘Encore’, to the boos and heckling aimed at less-popular characters. Also great to see many of the paying customers getting into the spirit of the occasion by turning up in costume, with a prize for the best. Plus a prize draw sponsored by the Region of Durham, always popular. Lots of buzz afterwards too, with general agreement as to the many fine individual performances, and that the 9 year-old violin-playing “mayor” stole the show (much to the chagrin of certain divas!). Congrats to Conrad Boyce especially for putting the whole show together and let’s not forget Marta Gill for the bizarre, but totally authentic, canvas backdrop!

Uxbridge Then & Now Youth Photography Exhibit

admin — Mon, 19 Sep 2011 18:42:46 +0000

Two local and very talented photographers, Stuart Blower and Marni Grossman, not only felt that the youth of the town needed an opportunity to discover the joys and character building of the art in photography, BUT they did something about it. They created an event that would give them this opportunity to learn.

By completing an essay to explain why they should be chosen for this select group of “newbies”, each participant had to convince Stuart and Marni that they had the vision and passion to be part of this group. After being selected, the group of 6 between the ages of 12 – 21, are being given various assignments and attending workshops to understand about the camera, angles, light, lenses, filters, models, landscapes, portraits, visions and developing, and then putting it all into practice.

The most exciting thing is that we will all be able to see the end result of all of that mentoring and learning, by seeing the photos that they have selected to share with us. They will be revealed during the opening of the Juried Art Show at the Uxbridge Township Offices on Tuesday, September 20th, and can been seen during the full run of the show. We are so lucky to see the growth of these budding artists – and have to thank Stuart and Marni for the time and mentoring that they gave.

Where – Uxbridge Town Hall, 51 Toronto St. S.
When and Time: Tuesday, September 20th at 7:30pm and then continues from Wednesday, September 21 to Sunday, September 25, 2011
Cost – FREE

Children’s Art Show

admin — Fri, 16 Sep 2011 17:11:52 +0000

What about the future artists in Uxbridge? Where do you find them? Where else – at the schools? Along with the Juried Art Show, and at the same location, Uxbridge Municipal Offices, is a display of the best of Children’s Art collected through the local elementary schools at the end of June. This is a well-oiled machine of an event, with the organizers contacting the schools and getting the commitment and cooperation of the teachers and principals in April. They introduce different art forms, encourage creation of joy, anger, passion, frustration, confusion, imagination; and schedule opportunities for these students to CREATE. Each school will choose 8 pieces of art to be shown during the show.

Again, with this selection of pieces, they are judged and exhibited for the full appreciation of you!!! Come and see the artists of the future – as their creative buds are blooming.
There is a an opening reception for all of the proud family and friends to come on Tuesday, September 20th at 6:30 and then the art will be on display from Wednesday 21st to Saturday 24th from 10am – 6pm and then on Sunday 25th ending at 2pm.

Where – Uxbridge Town Hall, 51 Toronto St. S.
When and Time: Tuesday, September 20th at 6:30pm and then continues from Wednesday, September 21 to Sunday, September 25, 2011
Cost – FREE

Juried Art Show Uxhibition 11

admin — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 16:04:10 +0000

What a lovely opportunity to see the best of the best of a community of artists, and in a very relaxed and welcoming setting of the Council Chambers of the Uxbridge Township offices. AND if you want it to be not so relaxed and buzzing with excitement – then come to the opening of the Juried Art Show on Tuesday night, September 20 at 7:30 at the Township Offices. There will be other art lovers there, and you can compare notes, argue decisions and appreciate the talent in the community.

Over the course of 3 months, open invitations were extended to artists that live locally, and within the circle of Uxbridge Township. All of the submissions then are gathered, reviewed, discussed, looked at, reviewed again by two professional artists/judges. They then reveal a small selection of pieces to be shown in the Art Show, to be enjoyed over a 5-day period. Then the pieces are further scrutinized, and awarded prizes over all of the art. Sound confusing?? Well, come out to see for yourself, either leisurely on your own from September 21 – 25 from 10 am – 6pm OR come out to the party on Tuesday night and passionately argue your choice for Best in Show.

Where – Uxbridge Town Hall, 51 Toronto St. S.
When and Time: Tuesday, September 20th at 7:30pm and then continues from Wednesday, September 21 to Sunday, September 25, 2011
Cost – FREE

26th Celebration of the Arts Kick Off!

admin — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 18:44:28 +0000

Politicians, Celebration of the Arts organizers and artists kicked off the festival at the Uxbridge Township office on Monday, September 12, 2011. Image by Stuart Blower Photography.

The Celebration of the Arts kicked off its 26th year with a buzzing opening reception in front of the Uxbridge Town Office.
Many stood proud with their creations ranging from paintings to sculptures as they chatted with each other, excited for the three-week celebration embracing the arts culture to begin.

Artists, event organizers, council members and Uxbridge Mayor Gerri Lynn O’Connor were all smiles and laughs as the official event banner, created by Sweet World Media, was unveiled.

Several councillors appeared in period costume, as they join MPP John O’Toole and local celebrities in the 110 Anniversary of the Uxbridge Music Hall on September 17, 2011.

Councillors Pat Molloy, Gordon Highet and Jacob Mantle in period costume for the 110th Anniversary of the Uxbridge Music Hall gala on Friday, September 17, 2011. Photo by Stuart Blower Photography.

Dishlicious

admin — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 15:53:22 +0000

Absolutely the most satisfying – and I mean by hunger – event in the Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts lineup is the new Dishlicious. We are thrilled that Lisa Hutchinson and The Passionate Chef have agreed to put together an opportunity for you to taste the delectable morsels that are created by our local skilled chefs. For the afternoon on this Saturday, you will be able to visit local restaurants – Frankie’s Ristorante and others (just look for the sign in their window) for a fixed price menu of appetizer, main and dessert during the afternoon. Each of the restaurants are using local farm fresh ingredients to create their wonderful gourmet dishes.

You can also visit Lisa Hutchinson, owner of The Passionate Cook’s Essentials and Chef Jeremy Buckingham at The Passionate Cook’s Essentials, as they perform free cooking demonstrations, offer samples and give you recipes to take home. YUMMMM this is a perfect way to taste art.

As you are enjoying the other events offered on this day – remember that you need the energy and sustenance to be energetic – and that means EATING

Where: The Passionate Cook’s Essentials 68 Brock St. W, Uxbridge PLUS various Uxbridge Restaurants.
When: Saturday September 24 from 11:30am – 2pm for demonstrations and lunchtime for restaurants.
Cost: various

Visions of Love

admin — Fri, 09 Sep 2011 16:29:04 +0000

Do you want to find love? How many aspects of love is there? Does it come from song? Dance? Silence? The Uxbridge Celebration of the Arts Gala Night will try to expand your visions of love during its Saturday night celebration.
We are thrilled to welcome Tanis Slimmon to our stage and our town. Tannis has won the Canadian Folk Music Award’s contemporary vocalist award in 2008 and has appeared and recorded numerous albums. She will be joined by her partner in life and love.

The second part of the program will bring dance back into the Celebrations program with MotusO and its company the variations of love through dance and movement. The best part about a group is what each individual brings to each part of the whole – and in this case this dance company includes a gymnast, a sheep shearer and a figure skater.

They have been performing together since 1990 and have toured throughout North America and the South Seas, bringing with them their innovative and highly visual works. The troupe have come from many backgrounds, seen and performed in many far flung places of the world and are landing in Uxbridge on the Music Hall stage to entertain us.

Come on – we know that everyone is a lover – find your variation of love.

Where: Uxbridge Music Hall, 16 Main St. Uxbridge
When: Saturday, September 24th, 2011
Time: 8pm
Cost: $25 Tickets can be bought at Blue Heron Books (62 Brock St. W.), La Petite Fleur (43 Brock St. W.), online at http://www.celebrationofthearts.ca/buy-tickets/ and at the door.