SPARK is back this year with another diverse line-up of photography exhibitions all over Peterborough and throughout the Kawarthas. The third annual photo festival begins today and continues throughout April. In this month’s column, I highlight five notable SPARK exhibits and one non-SPARK event: the Art School of Peterborough’s annual fundraising art auction.
“Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Life in Pictures”
“Lucy Maud Montgomery: A Life in Pictures” will be unveied during the opening reception for SPARK, from 5 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 1st at the Historic YMCA Building (475 George St at Murray, Peterborough). The exhibit continues at that location every day during April, from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission is free.
“Integral & Intrinsic: Mazinaakizigewan – The Art of Photography” by Georgie Horton-Baptiste and George Campana
George Campana has covered some serious ground in his life. Over the past 18 years, he has amassed nearly 250,000 kilometres of travel all over North America, many of those travelled riding almost non-stop on his motorcycle, sometimes for days. He travels to attend gatherings of people who come from all over the world. He goes to create a record of these people and events, but also to learn from the teachings and ceremonies he shares in.
Campana himself says he is a non-native, but that he meets and blends with all people and faiths. He speaks of hundreds of people he has met and known in a way that tells me he counts them all as friends.
“In all my travels, I’ve never met a ‘savage’,” he says. “These people taught me to live.”
Horton-Baptiste is the organizer of the Water Awareness Walks in the Kawarthas and a member of the Sacred Water Circle. The vision for the circle and the walks was inspired by traditional Indigenous teaching and the example of leading with hope and spiritual courage. I can imagine this resonating well with Jack Layton.
She and Campana are both tremendous resources. In the space of two afternoons I spent with them and some of their companions, I feel I’ve grown measurably — knowing I’ve only touched the surface of what I’ve yet to learn.
Standing and spending time in this space you can have this record pour over you. You could absorb the impressions of people, events, nature, and stories for hours. Do avail yourself of the impressive presences of Horton-Baptiste and Campana, but even without their commentary and wisdom there is a so much to be felt and experienced here.
“Kina Awiiya Nindinawemaaganag: All My Relations” in on at the Peterborough & the Kawarthas Tourism Visitor Centre (1400 Crawford Dr., Peterborough) throughout April. There is an opening reception on Wednesday, April 8th from 6 to 7:30 p.m. The centre is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.
“Integral & Intrinsic: Mazinaakizigewin – The Art of Photography” is at the Shandry Building (459 George St. N., Peterborough) throughout April. There is an opening reception on Saturday, April 11th from 6 to 8 p.m. The exhibit is available for viewing from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, and 12 noon to 4 p.m. on weekends.
“Chemical World” by Holly McClellan at Gallery in the Attic
Her “Chemical World” is no exception to her varied modes and celebrates the changes in the evolution of photographic technology. McClellan experiments with a variety of cameras (film & digital) as well as numerous combinations of lenses, printing processes, and subject matter within the chemical theme (e.g. laundry detergent, paint, cleaners). C-prints, traditional colour photos, digital on cotton rag, HD on metal, and black-and-white photos printed at the gallery’s resident Darkroom Project studio all make an appearance.
Her work is influenced by her forays about suburban living, consumerism, and their connection to the environment. Her work serves as a reminder of Earth Day approaching on April 22nd.
“Chemical World” shows in the back gallery at Gallery in the Attic (upstairs at 140-1/2 Hunter St. W., Peterborough) and will continue throughout the month. The gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. For inquiries, call 705-868-1162.
Work by students from Prince of Wales at Gallery in the Attic
Prince of Wales students participating in the exhibition at Gallery in the Attic are Emily Pare, Shervin Khosravi, Lemi Yascini, Francis Brooks, Donovan McKnight, and Maeve Hartnett. The students explored some black-and-white photography, as well as the merits of slowing down and seeing the world at an analog speed where images are become finite, precious, and considered.
While not all of his photographs are from Traill, he does have it in mind to do an all-Traill exhibition at the college some day in the future.
Along with The Darkroom Project members’ small group show themed around the man-made landscape, the students’ work is on display in the main gallery at Gallery in the Attic (upstairs at 140-1/2 Hunter St. W., Peterborough) and will continue throughout the month. The gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. For inquiries, call 705-868-1162.
“Electric City” by Stephanie Cann and Rob Hailman at Gallery in the Attic
Hailman has pursued a career as a musician, songwriter, and recording artist; his latest project being the band No Pussyfooting. He is also a founding member of the Darkroom Project and active on Trent Radio. From what I can tell he also seems to be a polymath with vast technological skills and literary acumen.
“Electric City” is on display in the Brick Room at Gallery in the Attic (upstairs at 140-1/2 Hunter St. W., Peterborough) and will continue throughout the month. The gallery is open from noon to 5 p.m. Tuesday to Saturday. For inquiries, call 705-868-1162.
With all this talk of The Darkroom Project, I cannot fail to mention their second Birthday Party on April 11th from 7:30 to 11 p.m. The fantastic synth pop arias of roboteyes will feature along with other musicians, a photo booth, and door prizes. This is a good night to come out if you have an interest in learning some things about film photography and print developing. With all this and a mere $10 cover to go to supporting the project (and paying musicians), it’s really a good night out for anyone.
Art School of Peterborough Art Auction at Princess Gardens
I chose to sit alongside Ms Dickenson, which pretty much guaranteed my shaming because she’s as good at painting as she seems to be at all things. Anyway, the art auction itself features the works of a host of superb artists, 31 in all, all amid the glorious spaciousness of the Princess Gardens main atrium.
I’ve personal knowledge of Victoria Wallace, Bronson Smith, George Raab, Peer Christensen, Anne Cavanagh, Brianna Gosselin, Christy Haldane, Jenni Johnston, Jason Wilkins, and Rob Niezen’s work; and know them all to be of exceptional talent. Moreover a broad range of different styles that is bound to have something to suit just about anyone. These artists that have come together to submit work whose live auction (conducted by auctioneer Keith Monk) and other sales will go to support the Art School programming and ensure an all-inclusive environment for the community.
Such a humanitarian efforts could hardly be more enjoyable or simple. There will also be a silent auction with artwork, local gift certificates, other surprise items. Small works on 4″ x 4″ and 4″ x 8″ canvasses will also be on sale for $20 and $40 respectively.
Delicious hors d’oeuvres will also be on offer for your noshing enjoyment generously donated by some pretty serious culinary heavyweights in the local restaurant scene (I’m not telling). Trio Al Kirby, Bill Olson, and Howard Baer — know collectively as Nassau Mills — will be entertaining with their GrassRoots renditions of traditional and original songs influenced by bluegrass, standards, folk, blues, and the history of Peterborough. Some you will have got that last bit from the name.
Tickets are $8 in advance, or $10 at the door (free for members of the Art School). Advance tickets are available at The Art School of Peterborough (174 Charlotte St., Peterborough, 705-742-3221).
