ARCHIVES 1999
January/February 1999
- EXPERIENCE ART IN GUELPH...DISCOVER GALLERIES AND ART-RELATED BUSINESSES
- A GUIDE TO PUBLIC ART IN GUELPH
- THANKS TO GAC VOLUNTEERS
- TALENTED YOUTH RECEIVE GUELPH ARTS COUNCIL AWARDS
- ARTISTS – KNOW YOUR RIGHTS
- COMMUNITY ARTS WORKBOOK
- NEW WEB ALLIANCE TO BENEFIT CULTURE
- ONTARIO ARTS ENDOWMENT FUND
- ARKELL SCHOOLHOUSE ADDS FOLK SERIES
- March/April 1999
- CEILIS FOR GUELPH
- COLLEGE ROYAL AT 75
- ELORA FESTIVAL SINGERS CELEBRATE 20TH ANNIVERSARY
- A NEW LOOK FOR GUELPH MUSEUMS
- DISCOVER GUELPH IS BACK AGAIN
- GUELPH WINS
- AN “EYE-POPPING” WORLD
- GUELPH ARTS COUNCIL WINNERS OF FETE ROMANTIQUE 1998 - 99
- ANOTHER FETE ROMANTIQUE SELL-OUT FOR GUELPH ARTS COUNCIL
- GUELPH ARTS COUNCIL ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
- GUELPH ARTS COUNCIL ARTS SCHMOOZEFEST RETURNS
- SUPPORTING THE MAGAZINE BILL
- ONTARIO ARTS COMMUNITY CONSULTS
- TRILLIUM FOUNDATION EXPANDS
- May/June 1999
- LOCAL TALENT ABOUNDS AT 1999 GUELPH SPRING FESTIVAL
- GAC HERITAGE AWARDS RECOGNIZE HERITAGE PROPERTIES
- BEGINNING THE CONVERSATION, THE ONTARIO ARTS REPORT
- ED VIDEO LAUNCHES DON'T BANK ON IT
- GUELPH: “THE BEST BLOOMING CITY”
- GAC 1999 GUIDED WALKING TOURS
- DISCOVER GUELPH: BE A TOURIST IN YOUR OWN TOWN
- MILLENNIUM COUNTDOWN
- MULTICULTURAL FESTIVAL ’99
- July/August 1999
- CELEBRATE SUMMER AND THE ARTS AT RIVER RUN
- GUELPH ARTS COUNCIL HOOKED UP!
- GUELPH ARTS COUNCIL'S MASTER CALENDAR
- SPAIN IN SUPERLATIVES
- COMMUNITY HERITAGE EFFORTS RECOGNIZED
- ARTCETERA
- September/October 1999
- GUELPH CONTEMPORARY DANCE FESTIVAL RETURNS
- MILLENNIUM TIME SCULPTURE
- HONOURS FOR GUELPH ARTS COUNCIL MEMBERS
- GUELPH JAZZ FESTIVAL
- FESTIVE FALL WEEKEND IN GUELPH
- 1999 HERITAGE AWARD RECIPIENTS
- NEW FACES AT ONTARIO ARTS COUNCIL
- CHANGES AT THE CULTURE MINISTRY
- A VISIONARY TRADITION
- ARTS AND LABOUR SYMPOSIUM
- DROG CONCERT SERIES AT RIVER RUN
- HISTORY SERIES AT SENIORS CENTRE
- A SPRING ADVENTURE
November/December 1999- TOUCHMARK THEATRE FINDS A HOME IN GUELPH
- GIFT SUGGESTIONS FROM GUELPH ARTS COUNCIL
- FETE ROMANTIQUE...AN EVENING TO REMEMBER
- ACORN-LIVESAY PEOPLE'S POETRY FESTIVAL
- ARTMAKERS AT RIVER RUN
- AN EDUCATION IN MUSIC IS AN EDUCATION IN LIFE
- GUELPH'S AN BLOOMIN' WINNER
- MUSIC CENTRE PROGRESS
- TIME SCULPTURE...CITY OF GUELPH MILLENNIUM PROJECT
- A VISIONARY TRADITION, CELEBRATING CULTURE IN GUELPH
- BEGINNING OF THE GAC ARCHIVES
- Experience Art in Guelph...
- discover galleries and art-related businesses
by Anna Contini - discover galleries and art-related businesses
There are many places and many ways to experience art in Guelph for both the practising artist and the "art appreciator." The area is chalk full of private galleries as well as art-related businesses that offer services such as framing, restoration and art supplies. It is also possible to experience art without even setting foot indoors. A wide array of statues, fountains, sculptures and other types of public art can be seen in the downtown, at various churches, at Macdonald Stewart Art Centre and throughout the University of Guelph campus (see page 4 re A Guide to Public Art in Guelph).
- One of downtown Guelph's newest art establishments is the Art-in-Guelph Gallery (3 Paisley St.). An extension of a web site of the same name, the gallery offers monthly solo and group shows as well as a retail space for those local artists and craftspeople featured at www.art-in-guelph.com. Across the street is the Kloepfer Gallery (18 Paisley St.), a framing shop and exhibition space located in a renovated heritage duplex. The retail end of the business, including the sale of prints, helps support the exhibition space for both well-established and new artists.
- Art Services (33 Quebec St.) showcases contemporary Canadian artists with a focus on original oil paintings, prints and drawings. The shop also specializes in custom framing, repairs and restoration. In addition to the two floors of gallery space, there is a woodworking shop on the premises where virtually any type of frame or display box can be made. Framing & Art Centre maintains a flagship store at the south end (987 Gordon St.) as well as a presence in the downtown. As of February the downtown business will move from Baker Street to a new location at 30 Carden Street. Both shops offer creative picture framing, prints, limited editions, originals and giftware. The south-end store also exhibits works by local artists. Barber Gallery (167 Suffolk St.) features over 10 000 square feet of display space and sells original artwork, limited editions, reproductions and posters. There is also a large custom picture framing workshop with services that include dry mounting, laminating and needlework stretching.
- Some downtown galleries offer workshops as part of their services. For example, room twenty-three (23 Wyndham St. N.) has a variety of workshops pertaining to printmaking and book arts while Douglas Street Studios (5 Douglas St.) has a range of photography workshops and related offerings. Downtown Guelph is also home to Art Etc. (141 Woolwich St. N.), a storefront featuring the bright whimsical paintings of local artist Maria Pezzano and stained glass works by Carolyn White. A stone's throw away perched atop Wyndham Street is Zero Gravity Gallery (126 Wyndham St. N.), an exhibition space dedicated to showcasing "the best in local talent." For aspiring artists of all ages, Wyndham Art Supplies (164 Wyndham St. N.) offers technical assistance and custom framing in addition to a full range of art supplies. If you find yourself dining at downtown Guelph's Bookshelf, you'll have the added pleasure of experiencing local art. Both the Café and the Green Room feature on-going shows of established and "up-and- coming" local artists. For art enthusiasts who enjoy a pleasant rural setting, Arkell Schoolhouse Gallery (843 Watson Rd. S., Arkell) features original watercolours and oil paintings by Geraldine Ysselstein as well as chamber and folk concerts. To the north of Guelph, nestled in a woodland watershed off Highway #6, is Nicholson's Gallery (Wellington County Rd. #22). The gallery showcases Paul Nicholson's fine furniture and carvings in addition to blown glass, pottery, giftware and regular exhibitions of sculpture and paintings by local artists. So there you have it ... a few of the many ways that one can experience art in Guelph. For other ideas, be sure to read each issue of this newsletter and remember that Guelph Arts Council is always happy to help with your art-related queries. For more information, please call the office at (519) 836-3280.
Guelph's public art comes in many different forms; and almost every piece has an interesting story behind it. For example, did you know that the Blacksmith statue was moved from St. George's Square to Priory Square in 1922 to facilitate the passage of streetcars? Learn this and other fascinating art facts in A Guide to Public Art in Guelph, just published by Guelph Arts Council, thanks to a grant from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation as well as support from local galleries, businesses and organizations.
The new publication provides descriptions and photographs of public art in various locations throughout the city of Guelph. It covers such local icons as the Family Sculpture, IODE Fountain, John Galt bust, War Memorial Cenotaph and Matthew Bell stone carvings as well as the River Run Centre's spectacular Copper Wall by Peter Johnston. The guide also includes a section on Macdonald Stewart Art Centre's Donald Forster Sculpture Park and features several prominent pieces of public art at various locations on the University of Guelph campus. In addition, the guide focuses on historical carvings and stained glass at many of Guelph's places of worship such as Church of Our Lady, Paisley Memorial Church and St. George's Anglican Church. It also features some more contemporary art such as the unusual windows at Chalmers United Church and Hanna Boos' inspirational bronze sculpture of Christ at St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church.
In short, A Guide to Public Art in Guelph provides both residents and visitors with a "thumb-nail sketch" of many of the city's artistic treasures. The guide was researched and written by Anna Contini with assistance from Guelph Arts Council, Macdonald Stewart Art Centre and several individuals knowledgeable about the city's art and history. The brochure is complemented by a map, a local gallery/art services listing and several excellent photographs, some of which were taken by Arts Council board member Nicholas Gunn. A Guide to Public Art in Guelph was creatively designed by Jack Sprat Advertising & Design and printed by Greenmor Printing Co. Ltd. The brochure will be distributed in Guelph and beyond.
For more information about or to obtain copies of the new brochure, please contact Guelph Arts Council (519) 836-3280.
A group of Art Jam participants and facilitators toast the completion of the food theme art jam, now installed at Cafe Aquarius in downtown Guelph.
As 1998 comes to an end, we at Guelph Arts Council quite naturally have taken a moment to look back at the activities and achievements of the past year. One fact stands out very clearly, and that is, more than ever before, volunteers have played a truly pivotal role in the functioning of our organization. Many individuals have contributed of their time and energy to help further the causes of the Council and, in turn, of arts and culture in this community. Without these contributions, Guelph Arts Council would cease to exist.
For example, Guelph Arts Council is managed by a volunteerBoard of Directors (see list at left), who come to Board and committee meetings and participate in various Council activities -- including fundraising -- as part of their trusteeship responsibility. Some members contribute considerable additional time to serve as executive officers of the organization.
Volunteers are also the backbone of all Guelph Arts Council undertakings. For example, the annual Fête Romantique Fundraising Event is almost entirely the work of volunteers, as was the Discover Guelph: Be a Tourist in Your Own Town project initiated by Guelph Arts Council in co-operation with Guelph Visitor and Convention Services in the spring of 1998.
Similarly, Guelph Arts Council's series of five Historical Walking Tours exists only thanks to the efforts of dedicated tour guides Barbara Brooks, Mary Mitchell, Mary Mulholland, Shirley Perrior, Anne Piper, Susan Ratcliffe, and Joan Todd. Also, this year, the publication of the fifth and last of the accompanying Walking Tour Booklets, was made possible through the efforts of Florence Partridge who designed the tour and Barbara Brooks who edited and typed the final tour script. Anne Shute also made an invaluable contribution to this publication. Another related project is in process, namely, the development of a Walking Tour Slide Show, thanks to the efforts of Nicholas Gunn who is handling the photography, and Barbara Brooks who is organizing the slides and preparing the script. The annual Heritage Awards program also has relied on the interest and commitment of other heritage- conscious volunteers such as Toni Andrews, Jane Caspers, Melanie McLennan, Anne Shute, and Elton Yerex.
Other Guelph Arts Council volunteers help with specific tasks. For example, Chris Bowden, Merle Griffin, Ivanka Higgins, Caroline Moen, Sue Moore, Eileen Murray, Eileen Orr, Carolyn Pawley, and Marjory Smith have all pitched in to fold, stuff and stamp for recent newsletter mailings; and John Wismer has made newsletter deliveries across the community. In the office itself, Liz Gallagher continues to offer some of her time as a volunteer in the Council's Resource Centre, and Ellen Pearson, assisted by Vaile Henry, Bev and Fraser Hale, and Liz Schroder, contributed many hours of input time to update one of the computer databases. Markham Wismer continues to pitch in on occasions too numerous and too various to elaborate here.
Last, but not least, are the efforts put forward by virtually all of the above individuals, as well as Irene Beitz, Jan Craig, Carol Ann Douglas, Joyce Ferguson, Sylvia Hunter, Gwen and John Hurst, Judy Kingdon, Carol Koenig, Pat McCraw, Nancy McPherson, Jane Nelson and George Todd, to assist Guelph Arts Council in the task of assembling and selling the attractive pewter ornaments that the Downtown Board of Management introduced as a 1998 Christmas promotion. This was a very significant undertaking, but good fun and certainly worth while, both for the increased heritage awareness that seems to have resulted and for the honorarium that Guelph Arts Council received for having taken on the task.
In naming these many volunteers, Guelph Arts Council pays tribute to all, and thanks them, and others whom we may have inadvertently missed here, for their generosity in participating during the past year. Their efforts collectively have ensured that the Council continues to play a vital part in this community.
Talented Youth Recieve Guelph Arts Council Awards
Once again the Guelph Arts Council Youth Awards program has recognized six graduating
Guelph high-school students who have been selected by their schools for excellence, talent and
creativity in either performing or visual arts. Each student has been presented with a cash award
and a hand-lettered certificate designed by calligrapher Susan Nelson.
Guelph Arts Council Youth Awards are made possible through a Trust Fund established in
1982. In 1994 this fund was increased by an endowment from R.E. Smith and D.C. Jordan in
support of the award for Centennial Collegiate. The goal is to secure endowments for all Guelph
high schools.
Congratulations to the following 1998 award recipients!
Sarah Burr
Centennial Collegiate
(Performing Arts)
Sarah was very active throughout her years at Centennial Collegiate, particularly in the areas of
music and drama. In fact her ready involvement in school activities resulted in her being voted the
1998 valedictorian. She was a major performer with the school's Concert Choir and the Meister
Singers (chamber choir). While co-president of the music committee, she helped organize concerts
and raise funds. Some drama credits include the lead role in Little House of Horrors and a major
role in Into the Woods. Studying theatre at a post secondary level is part of her future plans.
Jonas Feenstra
College Heights Secondary School
(Visual/Performing Arts)
Jonas was an active participant in all aspects of the visual arts program. His keen sense of graphic
design and raw drawing ability allow him to produce excellent-quality work. Jonas' originality is
demonstrated in the logo-design work that he produced for organizations within the school and
outside the school. Other interests include music where he excels at playing the drums and the
guitar.
Brook Alviano
Guelph Collegiate
(Visual Arts)
Brook was involved in a variety of activities, including editing of the school newspaper, assisting
in the production of a video yearbook, participating in the school drama club, and acting in as well
as organizing costumes for school plays. In 1998, Brook successfully juggled her acting talent and
her skills with costuming in the Sears Drama Festival entry, Rumours of Our Death. The previous
year's entry, Competition Piece, received an award of merit for costumes thanks to Brook's design
skills. Future plans include attending Ryerson to study either fashion design or fashion marketing.
Erin Hamilton
John F. Ross Collegiate
(Performing Arts)
Erin's extracurricular and academic accomplishments in music were extensive. She was a member
of the J.F. Ross Concert Choir (three as president) and a member of Ross Singers (the chamber
choir). For several years Erin sang with the Guelph Youth Singers, and, in 1997, was a member
of the Ontario Youth Choir. Erin's musical versatility also includes playing the saxophone and the
violin. In recognition of her leadership skills and commitment to extracurricular activities she was
given the Martin J. Bauer Award. After completing her music degree at the University of Western
Ontario, Erin plans to pursue a career in music education.
Vanessa Netzel
Our Lady of Lourdes High School
(Visual Arts)
Vanessa has many interests related to the arts including painting, poetry, and music. She is an
active school participant, taking part in the yearbook and painting sets for the school plays. The
1996 school yearbook cover was designed by Vanessa. Mural work is one of her strong interests.
During an assignment as a co-op student for a local photographer, she designed and painted a
mural for their Children's Studio. She also worked recently on a mural for the Ontario Summer
Games which were held in Guelph. Vanessa would like to attend Sheridan College and become an
animator.
Heather Malyk
St. James High School
(Performing Arts)
An artistically talented student, Heather performed many roles in various school productions
ranging from director, dancer, choreographer through to actor. For the school production
Searching for Pedoria, she was both dancer and choreographer. She has directed various plays
including the one-act play Nobody Sleeps, and Encounters, an evening of three one-act plays. In
1995-96, Heather was secretary for the school's Art Council, and its drama co-ordinator the
following year. Outside of school, her interests include jazz, singing and performing for Royal
City Musical Productions Inc. Heather plans to study theatre at Ryerson.
Artists – Know Your Rights
"Copyright" -- an ominous-sounding word, but one which all artists should clearly understand "before the bad stuff happens." This was the warning offered by Sherri Helwig, Interim Executive Director of the Periodical Writers Association of Canada (PWAC), when she was in Guelph in November 1998 to lead a session on copyright for writers hosted by Guelph Arts Council.
In her presentation, Helwig defined copyright, particularly as it applied to writers, noting that it was a freelance writer's right to use what he/she writes, and to profit from it. She compared the process to renting a car -- one would not expect to rent a car without paying a rental fee; indeed, if one did not pay a fee, one could be accused of stealing the car. Similarly, one should not expect to use a writer's work without paying that writer or his/her agent a fee; to do is, in fact, a breach of the law, although unfortunately, the use of artistic work is not policed the way car rentals are!
Helwig outlined the various rights that exist and how they apply in various situations. She also gave some striking examples of what "bad stuff" can happen, and offered some pointers on how to be prepared for such eventualities. She spent some time, as well, on the whole issue of electronic rights and the new problems that have arisen with respect to material disseminated on the web.
In conclusion, Helwig emphasized that it is up to writers/artists to know what their rights are and to know how to protect them. In many cases it is an educational process for both writers and users, but the bottom line is that use of an artist's work requires asking, and usually paying for, permission. Anything less is stealing.
For more information about copyright issues relating to writers or any other artistic endeavour, call or visit Guelph Arts Council Resource Centre, 147 Wyndham Street North, Suite 404, Guelph (519) 836-3280. Information is also available about PWAC and other provincial or national organizations that benefit writers.
Ontario Arts Council has just published a follow-up document to the September 1997 conference "Vital Links: Enriching Communities through Art and Art through Communities." An attractive, illustrated publication, the Community Art Workbook ... Another Vital Link captures much of the spirit of and many of the ideas presented at the conference, and, in addition, offers inspiration and hands-on tools to help artists, cultural workers and communities plan, begin, complete and evaluate a community arts project.
The workbook is divided into three sections. First comes some background on community arts. What is it? How does it fit as an artistic discipline? How has community arts emerged/developed in Canada and other countries? Community arts principles are examined as are various action steps that can be taken to realize a community arts project.
The second section of the workbook documents several community arts projects that have taken place in Canada as well as United States, Great Britain and Australia -- in effect, illustrating the practical applications of the principles enunciated earlier in the book.
The publication concludes with a resources and references section that provides a summary of the Vital Links conference, a selected bibliography and a list of Ontario community arts councils and other contact names.
Copies of the Community Arts Workbook can be obtained by calling Ontario Arts Council at 1-800-387-0058. If you wish to see a copy prior to ordering, drop into the Guelph Arts Council office at 147 Wyndham Street North, Suite 404, Guelph, or call (519) 836-3280.
New Web Alliance to Benefit Culture
Cultural information is about to get a big boost online ! A recent joint announcement from CBC and CultureNet states that CBC Infoculture (English- and French-language online arts and culture magazines) and CultureNet ("an electronic window on Canadian culture") have formed a new alliance that will build upon the unique strengths of both organizations.
With shared aims to support and showcase the work of Canadian creative and performing artists and arts organizations, and to build bridges between them and their audiences by providing useful arts information to the public, the CultureNet/Infoculture alliance will first focus on joint links and content exchanges among the three web sites involved (see addresses below). The partners will also join forces to create a comprehensive Events Calendar, providing up-to-date information in both official languages on artistic and cultural events across the country.
CBC's English- and French-language Infoculture web sites can be found at www.cbc.ca and www.radio-canada.ca respectively. The CultureNet site is available at www.culturenet.ca. For more information and relevant media contacts, call Guelph Arts Council at (519) 836-3280.
- Ontario Arts Endowment Fund
- In November 1998, the Province of Ontario officially launched the long-awaited Endowment Fund Program (originally announced in the spring of last year). To be administered by the Ontario Arts Council Foundation (OACF), the new program makes provisions for eligible arts organization to raise money specifically for endowment purposes and then to have those funds matched dollar for dollar from the new $25 million Fund. Each participating oarganization will have a separate endowment fund established and maintained in its name at the OACF, and will receive income from its fund annually to be used for operating purposes. The overall aim of the program is to offer arts organizations a means of "ensuring future stability" and greater "freedom to pursue .... artistic visions."
Any not-for-profit, profressional arts organization based in Ontario is eligible to apply as long as it is also a registered charity, incorporated with a board of directors; in continuous operation for at least two years providing "proferssional artistic programming, or supporting the creation, production or dissemination of artistic works by professional artists"; and paying artists for their work.
Unlike earlier provincical government endowment funds, the new program does recognize that arts organizations vary in size, and that the needs of large and small groups are not always the same. To this end, the Fund has been divided into four categoreis relating to the operating revenue of organizations. Some additional flexiblity will also be granted to smaller organizations to help them "balance their longterm goals of building an endowment with their day-to-day operating needs.
For more details on and how to apply for participation in the Ontario Arts Endowment Fund, call Guelph Arts Council (519) 836-3280, or coantct the Ontario Arts Council Foundation at 1-800-387-0058Arkell Schoolhouse Adds Folk Series
Already well known for its classical music concerts, Arkell Schoolhouse Gallery is now adding a folk series to its line-up for the coming season. To help put together these concerts, Gallery owners Peter and Geraldine Ysselstein have turned to Brenda Lewis, a Guelph musician whose business Open Bookings specializes in artist promotion and corporate entertainment planning.
For the Arkell folk series, Lewis has booked four musical acts, starting on January 13 with Cate Friesen "An Urban Folksinger." Known for her "intimate live performances," Friesen is also a familiar name through her weekly Saturday radio show, "Absolutely Folk" on CJRT-FM (91.1).
Three more folk offerings will follow in the spring of 1999. On April 3, Northern City Limits, described as a "smooth and sophisticated bluegrass" group, will perform "Bluegrass and Gospel" at Arkell Schoolhouse Gallery. "Canadian Folk Legend" David Essig is next on May 1; "one of Canada's finest blues guitarists," Essig also is known as "a songwriter of poetic vision." The series winds up with Brooks Williams, "Folk Artist," on May 29; his "dazzling guitar work" and "resonant baritone voice" combine to produce pure American roots music.
Like their classical counterparts, the upcoming Arkell folk concerts will take place in the beautifully renovated and historic schoolhouse located just south of Guelph. This intimate space is an acoustic treasure, a fine venue for fine music of all kinds.
For more information or to reserve for folk or classical music concerts, contact Geraldine Ysselstein at (519) 763-7528. Arkell Schoolhouse Gallery is at 843 Watson Road South, Arkell. Seating is limited.
- CEILIS FOR GUELPH
by Anna Contini
- In recent years there has been a flowering of Celtic music and dance in Guelph. Ceilis for Guelph is a community-based organization dedicated to fostering interest in this traditional Irish art form. Ceili is a Gaelic term which literally means "an informal gathering of people." "The dances are simply unmatched in terms of their social and convivial nature," says Bernard MacDonell, president of Ceilis for Guelph.
MacDonell has been going to Ceilis all his life. Originally from Nova Scotia, he also played an active role in the Toronto Celtic music scene. Since coming to Guelph almost a decade ago, he has responded to the growing interest in Celtic music and dance. He began by inviting the Toronto-based Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Ereann to perform in Guelph, and they have been coming back ever since. In the past five years, a Guelph-based group the Upper Canada Ceili Band has also become an integral part of local Celtic activities.
Ceili dances take place in Guelph approximately once every six weeks from September to May. They are held at the Desert Inn, which boasts a large historic dance hall complete with sprung floor. Tickets are reasonably priced at $10 general admission/$8 for students and seniors, and are generally available both at the Stone Store and at the door.
The dances usually draw between 300 and 400 participants. Most are from this area but some come from as far as Buffalo and New York. The crowd is always diverse and includes singles, couples, families and people of all ages who share a love of Celtic dancing. "The fun is simply infectious," says MacDonell adding that "those who haven't yet tried one owe it to themselves to come out."
The Ceilis, which have their roots in traditional Irish and Scottish dance, are designed to promote mixing and enable participants to dance with numerous partners. There is always a caller who walks everyone through the dance beforehand. This enables even the absolute beginner to take part. In Guelph the caller is almost always Maureen Mulvey who is considered by many to be the "godmother of Ceili Dancing in Canada."
Not surprisingly, St. Patrick's Day always inspires the biggest and most popular Ceili of the year. This year, the dance will take place on Saturday, March 13 at the Desert Inn and feature the Inishowen Ceili Band. There are also plans to offer a dance workshop from 7:30 to 8:30 before the Ceili begins at 9 p.m.
Proceeds from all the Ceilis go towards the organization's music school. Lessons in harp, tin whistle and fiddle are offered Monday evenings at Norfolk United Church. Anyone interested in learning Celtic music, regardless of age or level of ability is encouraged to come out.
Ceilis for Guelph is also very interested in learning about the traditional dances of Wellington County. MacDonell would especially like to hear from seniors who may remember the dances of their youth. The organization would like to preserve this precious history and continue to pass it on to future generations.
Ceilis have indeed brought something special to this community. They offer great music, fine dancing and a unique social experience, all at a very affordable price. In essence, they are a wonderful way to bring people from all walks of life together to have fun. The proof is in the pudding ?-- seldom will you see more smiling faces than at a Ceili!
For more information about Ceilis for Guelph, call Bernard MacDonell at (519) 821-7588.
COLLEGE ROYAL AT 75
by Linda Craig
Where can you go to participate in or watch a lively round of square dancing, enjoy a showcase of local talent, view a juried art exhibit, appreciate the hours of quality work put into a commemorative quilt, or mingle with cats, dogs, and other assorted livestock? Try the University of Guelph's ever-popular College Royal which turns an otherwise drab March into something fun and entertaining.
This year, College Royal is celebrating its 75th anniversary. From a one-day livestock show in 1925, it has developed into a 12-day event that encompasses numerous fun and educational events, activities and displays that appeal to all tastes and interests. Each year the highlight is the student-run Open House weekend which this year takes place March 13 and 14.
According to Janine Fraser, a student organizer for College Royal, the square-dancing competition is one of College Royal's oldest traditions, and the University of Guelph is the only university to host such an event for its students and alumni. Showcase, another tradition, provides an opportunity for local choirs, singers, dancers and school bands to test their talents in front of an audience in the University Centre Courtyard. Both events take place over the Open House weekend. The juried art show at Zavitz Hall, while not directly involved with College Royal, is timed to enable those who attend the events to view the works of many talented students.
Special projects honouring the past 75 years are currently underway. An historical perspective of College Royal is given voice through a coffee-table type book written by alumnus Kate Higginson. The book contains archival pictures and stories which are sure to jog a few memories.
Another special project is a commemorative quilt completed largely thanks to the efforts of Penny DeVos, a University of Guelph student and member of the College Royal organizing committee. She elicited the assistance of local quilters to help assemble the 7-x9-1/2-foot quilt which features 100 blocks arranged in checkerboard design. Seventy-five of these depict critical dates and activities related to past College Royals while the remaining 25 will be appliqued later to commemorate College Royal's 100th anniversary.
There is also a commissioned painting-a collage of former College Royal scenes. Spearheaded by past presidents of College Royal, it is being executed by local artist and graphic designer Greg Elliott who has done work for the Royal Winter Fair. Eventually the painting will be on display, along with the quilt, in the College Royal Dining Room in the University Centre. For more information about College Royal, contact the College Royal Society at the University of Guelph (519) 824-4120 ext. 8366.
ELORA FESTIVAL SINGERS CELEBRATE 20TH ANNIVERSARY
by Anna Contini
The Elora Festival Singers, one of only three professional chamber choirs in Canada, is about to celebrate its 20th anniversary. To mark this milestone, the 20-member ensemble, under the direction of its well-known conductor Noel Edison, will present J.S. Bach's St. Matthew Passion at Church of Our Lady in Guelph on Sunday, March 7, 1999.
A passion play which dates back to mediaeval times, this biblical opera recounts the story of the capture and crucifixion of Christ, using the words of the Holy Scripture, interrupted by poetic interjections of the chorus. For this third of four Winter Series performances, the Singers will re-enact the Passion from Bach's rich score with the assistance of a broad spectrum of the area's musical talent, including six top-flight Canadian soloists, the Elora Festival Baroque Orchestra and the Guelph Youth Singers, conducted by Linda Beaupré.
The Elora Festival Singers performs regularly as part of the Elora Festival each summer as well as offering the Winter Series, mainly in Elora but occasionally at other locations in Wellington and Waterloo Counties. The group also currently makes up the professional core of the Toronto Mendelssohn Choir. This past October, the Elora Festival Singers presented its first self-promoted concert in Toronto, which included a work entitled Ariel Winds by Canadian composer W. Bartley. The ensemble is heard regularly on CBC and has toured and performed extensively throughout the United States and Canada.
The Singers has produced a number of CDs including The Mystery of Christmas in the fall of 1997 under the international label, Naxos. An immediate best seller, it was nominated for a Juno and recently went gold selling over 50,000 copies.
There is little doubt that Elora Festival Singers, under the longtime leadership of Noel Edison, has contributed enormously to the local music scene and beyond, and that, as the group celebrates its 20th anniversary, it indeed has something to sing about.
For more information about the Elora Festival Singers or to purchase tickets for the Winter Series call (519)846-0331.
A NEW LOOK FOR FOR GUELPH MUSEUMSGuelph Museums has just unveiled an attractive new full-colour bookmark/flyer to jointly promote Guelph Civic Museum and McCrae House. Also new is the Museum logo, which skilfully combines images from the two different sites while also allowing both images to be used separately. For copies or more information, call Guelph Museums at (519) 836-1221.
BACK TO CONTENTSDISCOVER GUELPH IS BACK AGAIN!
By Anna ContiniWhether you are a local or a visitor, there is always more you can learn about the City of Guelph. And what better way than through DISCOVER GUELPH: Be a Tourist in Your Own Town! Back again for its second year, the 1999 version is scheduled for Saturday, May 15, 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. It promises more fun and adventure than ever, offering participants an opportunity to discover art, history, performance, nature and other treasures in the City of Guelph.
This year DISCOVER GUELPH is being sponsored by Guelph Visitor and Convention Services which has just won five marketing awards of excellence from the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO). Included among these, in the special event category, was DISCOVER GUELPH initiated jointly in 1998 by Guelph Arts Council and Guelph Visitor and Convention Services.
Once again, community partners involved in DISCOVER GUELPH include Guelph Civic Museum, McCrae House, The Arboretum, Macdonald Stewart Art Centre, Riverside Park, Downtown Board of Management, Guelph Arts Council, Visitor Information Centre and River Run Centre. Each venue has planned a brand new line-up of activities, demonstrations and performances to take place throughout the day. Exciting new additions to this year's event include guided birdwatching hikes along the Royal Recreation Trail, wine tasting by Cox Creek Cellars and film screenings at the Bookshelf Cinema.
By purchasing a nominally-priced passport for only $5 (children free), individuals can plan their own routes and destinations. Once again, passport holders will be able to ride Guelph Transit at no charge throughout the day. There will also be several value-added coupons included with each passport.
Last year DISCOVER GUELPH: Be a Tourist in Your Own Town received important start-up support from a grant secured by Guelph Arts Council from the Ontario Ministry of Citizenship, Culture and Recreation. This year, event organizers are looking entirely to the community for support for DISCOVER GUELPH. Royal City Realty has recently come on board as a major corporate sponsor. And Robinson & Company Chartered Accountants, the founding corporate sponsor, is pleased to be involved again for the 1999 event: "We believe it is important for businesses in the community to support events which improve Guelph's quality of life," says Robinson partner Jason Evans.
DISCOVER GUELPH is truly a showcase of Guelph's treasures.
Stay tuned for details!
Passports for DISCOVER GUELPH go on sale April 23 at participating venues throughout Guelph. For more information contact Guelph Visitor and Convention Services at (519) 837-1335.
Guelph came out a big winner at the recent annual conference of the Economic Developers Council of Ontario (EDCO). A high-quality submission by Guelph Visitor and Convention Services (VCS) in partnership with Jack Sprat Advertising and Design garnered five awards for VCS, including the Best of Show Award. Other 1998 EDCO awards received were for the 1998 Guelph Visitors' Guide; for VCS' "Pleasures and Treasures" and for its Guelph promotional campaign; and, in the special event category, for DISCOVER GUELPH: Be a Tourist in Your Own Town, initiated jointly by VCS and Guelph Arts Council and VCS.
Congratulations to all those who have worked so hard on all these projects, especially to VCS for ensuring that Guelph has been justly recognized.
AN “EYE-POPPING” WORLD
On Saturday, April 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., a delightful, "eye-popping miniature world" awaits visitors to the Puslinch Community Centre in Aberfoyle. The occasion is the 16th Annual Show and Sale presented by the Ontario Miniature Enthusiasts of the Guelph Area (OMEGA).
The OMEGA group evolved as a result of a yearning for communication and fellowship experienced by individuals in the Guelph area who thought they were the only ones inflicted with what club member Tari Boggs calls "this lovely disease of miniaturitis." Since the first gathering in 1982, the group has flourished.
Meetings are held the third Tuesday of each month at the Delhi Recreation Centre. Visitors are most welcome. Workshops include making just about everything and anything in miniature-food, silk roses, kiddie cars, ladies' hats, landscaped gardens, intricate furniture, porch settings and more.
OMEGA members are justly proud of a recent coup, namely, the featuring of their one-quarter-inch scale English cottages on the cover as well as in a four-page colour spread in the prestigious American-based Miniature Gazette.
For more information about OMEGA or about the April 18 Show and Sale, call (519) 822-1436.
- GUELPH ARTS COUNCIL WINNERS OF
- FETE ROMANTIQUE 1998-99
Gourmet Dinner for Six
Prepared by Appetizingly Yours
Wanda and Peter Olsen, Guelph
Aberfoyle Mill Restaurant
Mystery Dinner Theatre for Two
Jane Armstrong, Guelph
The Arboretum, Theatre in the Trees
Theatre in the Trees Gift Certificate
Laura Dobrindt, Guelph
Carden Street Cafe
Dinner for Two
Chuck Cunningham, Guelph
Carden Street Music Shop
$25 Gift Certificate
Glenda Romanson, Moffat
Cutten Club
Dinner for Two
David Creech, Guelph
Elora Festival
Two Tickets to any 1999 Elora Festival Concert
Audrey Young, Guelph
Framing and Art Centre
$50 Gift Certificate
Mike and Cathy Poole, Guelph
Georgian Creed's
$75 Gift Certificate
Adrian Schwan, Guelph
Guelph Artisans
$50 Gift Certificate
Diane and Mark Ballantyne, Fergus
Guelph Jazz Festival
Two Tickets to 1999 Kick-off Concert
Jane Lind, Conn
Guelph Little Theatre
Two Opening Night Season's Tickets for 1999-2000
Sheila Farley, Guelph
Guelph Spring Festival
Two Tickets to any 1999 Festival Event
Judy Kingdon, Guelph
Guelph Youth Singers
Two Tickets for 1999 Spring Concert
Marjorie Petty, Guelph
Hillside Festival
Two Weekend Passes for 1999 Festival
Lillian M. Berry, Toronto
Holiday Inn Guelph
Complimentary Weekend for Two
Lois and John Thompson, Guelph
Ki Design/Traditions of Japan
$25 Gift Certificate
Tom Carroll, Guelph
Kitchener-Waterloo Symphony
Two Tickets for the 1999-2000 Guelph Recital Series
Brian J. Smith, Kitchener
La Maison de Madeleine
$25 Gift Certificate
Margaret Hull, Guelph
London House Bed & Breakfast
One Night Bed and Breakfast for Two
Leslie Howarth, Guelph
Looking Glass Studio
$50 Gift Certificate
David and Mary Overton, Guelph
Musica Viva
Two Series Tickets for 1999-2000 Season
Lloyd and Margaret Dyer, Rockwood
River Run Centre
Two Tickets for One 1998-99 Series Performance
Bruce and Eileen McIntosh, Guelph
Royal City Ambassadors
Two Tickets to 1999 Spring Show
Pam Healey, Guelph
Take a Bough
Gift Certificate for One Dozen Roses
Joan Przekop,Guelph
Talking Trees
$50 Gift Certificate
Irene Nickel, Guelph
Tangles Hair Salon
Gift Certificate for Wash, Cut, Blow-dry
Greg Hannam, Guelph
Theatre on the Grand
Two Tickets to Any Performance of "Whose Under Where?"
Jean Hill, Kitchener
Tributaries Restaurant
Dinner for Two
Nigel Smith, Guelph
Valentini Hair Design
Gift Certificate for Shampoo, Cut, Style
Holly Armstrong, Guelph
Willow Manor Bed & Breakfast
Bed and Breakfast for Two (One Room Sunday to Thursday incl)
Dan Thornton, Guelph
You're Fired
Hand-painted Ceramic Bowl and a Gift Certificate
John Kingdon, Guelph
In addition to the prize donors listed above, Guelph Arts Council wishes to thank the following for their generous support:
The Co-operators
Eaton Centre Guelph
Brian Fray
Gilchrist Chapel - McIntyre and Wilkie Funeral Home
Greenmor Printing
Justified Type
Kwik-Kopy Printing
Nicholas Gunn Photography
Petals and Plants
Poluch Design
ANOTHER FETE ROMANITQUE SELL-OUT FOR GUELPH ARTS COUNCILOnce again, Guelph Arts Council has reason to celebrate! For the second
year in a row, Féte Romantique-the Council's major annual fundraiser-SOLD OUT, bringing in over $14 000. Establishing a new record for this 13th Féte, these funds also represent an almost 10-per-cent increase over last year and will greatly assist the Council in its programs and services on behalf of arts and heritage in the Guelph area.
And the lucky recipients of this year's Féte Romantique Grand Prize ...Wanda and Peter Olsen, long-time Guelph residents and strong supporters of the city's artistic life. Indeed, Peter is the head of the Art Department at Guelph Collegiate and Vocational Institute, and served as a Guelph Arts Council Board member from 1983 to 1986. "I can't believe it! ... I can't believe it!" was all Peter could say when informed of their good fortune.
The Olsens cashed in their grand-prize on Saturday, February 13, when, along with four of their friends, they experienced an elegant multi-course dinner, prepared by Appetizingly Yours and including such delicacies as double lobster consomme, grilled hearts of romaine, seared foie gras, wild mushroom encrusted beef tenderloin and an intriguing dessert called chocolate volcano-all accompanied by carefully-chosen fine wines served by wine steward (and Guelph Arts Council Board member) Orest Poluch. This grand-prize dinner took place in a fabulous Guelph heritage home and came complete with complimentary limousine service.
Thirty-one other fortunate individuals also won Féte Romantique prizes such as tickets to local concerts, theatres and festivals as well as gift certificates to sample the food at some choice Guelph restaurants or the products and services of fine local businesses.
At the January 28 draw, Féte Romantique Chair Bev Hale expressed delight at yet another successful Féte Romantique. Noting that many hours of planning, work, time and energy go into the event, she particularly acknowledged the generous contributions of the prize donors (see complete list above), amd the efforts of Board and staff members as well as Council friends who have "worked graciously and tirelessly to assist Guelph Arts Council to fulfil its mandate in the community."
Finally, from all of us at Guelph Arts Council, a heartfelt thank-you to the many Féte ticket purchasers who helped make this our most successful fundraiser ever.
GUELPH ARTS COUNCIL
Annual General Meeting
April 12, 1999
Mark this date on you calendar now.
For more information, call (519) 836-3280
GUELPH ARTS COUNCIL
Arts Schmoozefest Returns
An informal networking and social occasion for the arts community
Tuesday, April 20, 1999
5 - 7 p.m.
The Spiral Club
122 Woolwich Street, Guelph
Bring posters, brochures, business cards so you can introduce yourself to fellow "Schmoozers"
For more information call Guelph Arts Council (519) 836-3280
SUPPORTING THE MAGAZINE BILL
Bill C-55, the Canadian government's magazine legislation introduced last summer by Canadian Heritage Minister Sheila Copps, is-not unexpectedly-coming under fire from several American sources. As a result, the cultural community, especially the magazine industry, has stepped up efforts in support of the Bill- pleading with the federal government not to give in to American "bullying tactics" which are aimed at postponing or, even worse, watering down the proposed legislation.
Bill C-55 prohibits foreign publishers from supplying advertising services to Canadian advertisers for the purpose of addressing Canadian audiences-in effect, trying to ensure that Canadian advertising dollars go primarily to Canadian magazines. Aimed at the so-called split-run editions which could sell ads to Canadians at bargain rates (because the publication costs of these editions would already have been covered in their home US markets), the policy is intended to replace earlier measures that were shot down in 1997 by the World Trade Organization.
Opposition from the United States has ranged from threats to sue the federal government, to withdraw green cards from Canadian cultural workers in the United States or to retaliate with measures against Canadian industry, including steel, which in Canada is centred in Hamilton, the home riding of Minister Copps. There is also a sense among observers that Americans are using Bill C-55 as yet another way to put forward their longstanding objections to Canada's cultural exemption in free trade agreements (FTA and NAFTA).
Concerned individuals are urged to contact their MPs as well as the Prime Minister and Ministers John Manley, Lloyd Axworthy, Sergio Marchi and Sheila Copps.
For contact fax numbers, call Guelph Arts Council at (519) 836-3280. Also, for more information on Bill C-55, check out the government website at www.parl.gc.ca (move through business of parliament to government bills to C-55) or the magazine industry's site at www.billc55.com.ONTARIO ARTS COMMUNITY CONSULTS
During January and February 1999, artists and arts groups across Ontario gathered in seven different strategic locations to consult on issues related to the provincial leadership of public arts policy. Guelph and area representatives travelled to Hamilton on February 12, while other meetings took place in Ottawa, Kingston, Sudbury, Thunder Bay, London and Toronto.
These consultations were the initiative of the Ontario Arts Report which grew out of an ad hoc group that formed during the summer of 1998 in response to some far-reaching changes made at Ontario Arts Council without community consultation. Following a meeting with Ontario Arts Council representatives late in the summer, the group decided to expand its focus to include all provincial arts policy issues and to co-ordinate a series of consultations that would allow the arts community to thoroughly air the issues and offer dynamic and constructive ideas for the future.
Key issues identified for the Ontario Arts Report were:
stewardship and governance, Ontario Arts Endowment Fund, sustaining of facilities investment, training and professional development, arts in education, tradition of community consultation, transparency and the assessment process, peer evaluation process and finally the provincial government's leadership in the arts.
Recommendations from the community consultations and from widely-distributed questionnaires will be incorporated into a report that should be ready in April 1999. For more information on the Ontario Arts Report, contact Guelph Arts Council (519) 836-3280.TRILLIUM FOUNDATION EXPANDS
The Trillium Foundation has been much in the news lately- for several different reasons. While it is obvious that there are issues of concern, charities and not-for-profit arts organizations should not lose sight of the fact that the Trillium Foundation has expanded considerably. For example, while it has previously allocated about $10 million a year, mainly to social-service-type organizations, the Foundation will now be handing out a minimum of $100 million annually to a wider range of groups, including arts, culture and heritage, recreation and sports, health and social services, economic development and the environment. The Foundation's aim is "to support the important and interdependent roles that all sectors provide to healthy, caring communities."
The new Trillium program most likely to be of interest to the cultural community in Ontario is the Community and Province-wide Grants program. Starting in April 1999, single- or multi-year grants will be available in the range of $2 000 to $75 000 for Community Grants, and $2 000 to $250 000 for Province-wide Grants. Recommendations on grant allocations will be made by local grant-review teams. Program directions, funding parameters, criteria and application process for these grants are spelled out in a Program Guidelines folder available from the Trillium Foundation.
For more information, contact Guelph Arts Council; or visit the Trillium Foundation website at www.trilliumfoundation.org- Local Talent Abounds at 1999 Guelph Spring Festival
by Anna Contini
- Since it began over 30 years ago, the Guelph Spring Festival has consistently showcased an impressive line-up of local talent. This year is no exception as the Festival presents A Matter of Time, celebrating music of the past millennium. From May 28 to June 6, there will be 27 concerts featuring classical, chamber, jazz, blues, folk, celtic and world music, in addition to six masterclasses, a three-day competition and a one-day outdoor street festival. Artistic Director Simon Wynberg has returned for the 32nd Guelph Spring Festival.
The season opens on May 28 with Choral Classics featuring the world-renowned Sir David Willcocks conducting three of Ontario’s finest choral groups –the Guelph Chamber Choir, the Menno Singers from Kitchener-Waterloo and Orillia’s Cellar Singers. They will be accompanied by an orchestra assembled especially for the occasion.
More local talent will be showcased in a June 1 performance devoted to the timeless music of Bach. For Bachanalia, the Bach Consort will be joined by the Tactus Vocal Ensemble, a Guelph-based group that specializes in a cappella renaissance music.
For those in search of a delightful matinee series new to the festival this year, Quartetto Gelato is a must-see. This dynamic foursome, which includes popular Guelph native Joseph Macerollo, offers audiences lighthearted classical delights on June 2. Their eclectic repertoire combines chamber music with tangos, operatic arias and gypsy folk tunes, performed on a variety of instruments including oboe, violin, viola, cello, accordion, guitar and a tenor voice.
Three gifted young vocalists from the region will also be featured in the 1999 festival line-up. Future Voices on May 31 will showcase the winners of the 1998 Edward Johnson Music Competition – Jane Archibald (soprano), Colin Ainsworth (tenor) and Timothy Kauk (baritone). This year’s competition May 25 to 27 is open for piano and string instrumentalists under the age of 30, and offers $3 500 in awards as well as an appearance at the 2000 Guelph Spring Festival. Prizes are awarded for best overall performance technique and musicianship. Six to eight finalists will be selected by the adjudicators to perform at the Finals Concert on May 27.
Education has been an important component of the festival since the beginning. For aspiring young area musicians, a series of Masterclasses in winds, voice, piano, strings, organ and jazz vocals will take place May 30 to June 6. The classes offer a unique opportunity for music students to work one-on-one with professional musicians performing at this year’s festival. Each student plays a ten-minute selection which will be evaluated by guest artists. Five students will be accepted for each masterclass. The general public is welcome to observe free of charge.
Local talent is especially abundant in the Co-operators Community Concerts, a series of free concerts which take place before and after mainstage events in the River Run Centre, bistros, restaurants and other hot night spots throughout the city. Area artists include The Phoenix Jazz Group, a mainstream jazz trio; Northern City Limits, a smooth and sophisticated bluegrass quartet; and Jesse Stewart, an award-winning percussionist. Guelph native David Gillham comes direct from his first violin chair at the Winnipeg Symphony to present a demanding and diverse program including the Bach Chaconne and works by Prokofieff, Gramatte and Ysaye. Another local treat will be Elora composer Peter Skoggard’s presentation of The Bird of Perception, a musical oratorio offering insights into the works of 20th-century poets e.e. cummings, T.S. Eliot and W.H. Auden.
A special highlight of the festival each year is the ever successful STREETFEST, a free downtown celebration. In addition to the three music stages presenting non-stop entertainment, there will be a wide variety of local community organizations offering hands-on crafts, demonstrations and games for people of all ages. The 10th annual STREETFEST takes place Saturday, May 29 from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
For information about the Guelph Spring Festival call (519)821-3210. Tickets available at River Run Centre Box Office, 35 Woolwich Street, (519)763-3000.
Guelph Arts Council Heritage Awards Recongnize Heritage Properties
Once again, it’s heritage time at Guelph Arts Council – time when plans are put in motion for the annual Heritage Awards program. For 1999, the deadline for award nominations is May 17, and the awards presentation takes place on Monday, June 21, 4:30 p.m., in the Guelph Arts Council meeting room at 147 Wyndham Street North (Suite 404).
Established in 1977 as a tribute to Guelph’s sesquicentennial, the Guelph Arts Council Heritage Awards program aims to increase awareness of this community’s significant architectural heritage by honouring those individuals, organizations, companies and institutions who have restored, preserved or developed heritage properties in the City of Guelph.
A Guelph Arts Council Heritage Award is not an official designation (as is the case with recommendations made by the Local Architectural Conservation Advisory Committee, under the Ontario Heritage Act). Nor does it in any way affect an owner’s ability to make changes to his or her property. Rather, an Arts Council Heritage Award serves as an encouragement to and recognition of property owners who have made an effort to put “new life” into older buildings.
Anyone can submit a heritage award nomination for one or more properties – or even for one’s own property – which can range from a heritage residence (exterior and/or interior) to a condominium redevelopment, a church, a commercial or government building, even a bridge or an architectural detail such as a porch or a chimney.
Each year, a knowledgeable and impartial jury is selected to visit eligible nominated properties. The 1999 jurors are Kent Rawson, a Toronto architect who has practised for 25 years and restored more than 60 properties of local, provincial and national significance as well as serving as a member of the Toronto Historical Board; Gil Stelter, a recently-retired University of Guelph History professor who has developed a special interest in and written much on Guelph’s history and heritage and is currently working on the restoration of his own heritage home; and Chris Campbell, a Guelph-based landscape architect who, through his business, Garden Works, specializes in heritage properties.
The jury can award up to two Bronze Plaques (designed by Canadian sculptor Frances Gage); Honourable Mentions in residential or non-residential; special awards for either Architectural Feature or Preservation Efforts over a long period of time; and beginning in 1997, a special Downtown Plaque to recognize a downtown property restoration that is sensitive to heritage and streetscape. All award recipients receive a special hand-lettered citation crafted by Guelph calligrapher Susan Nelson.
Guelph Arts Council’s Heritage Awards program is made possible through the generous assistance of the Royal Bank Financial Group; Victoria Wood GP Inc.; Colley Insurance; Guelph Mercury; Downtown Board of Management; and Moyer, Malak, Jackman & Rowles.
For more information about or to obtain a nomination for the Heritage Awards program, call or visit the Guelph Arts Council office at 147 Wyndham Street North, Suite 404, Guelph (519) 836-3280 or Fax 766-9212.
But, first, look around you, look up, look in alley ways and other hidden places! Identify those special properties that have been cared for and/or “fixed up,” and help Guelph Arts Council honour property owners who have contributed to the historical flavour that has continued to make this city an attractive and interesting place to live, work and visit!
Beginning The Conversation,- The Ontario Arts Report
For the first time in Ontario history, a group from the arts community has conducted a broadly-based, province-wide consultation on issues of importance to the arts community. Such dialogue has, in the past, always been initiated by Ontario Arts Council (OAC) or the provincial government. Indeed, it was the very absence of such consultation over the past three years – especially in the face of major changes in arts policy – that galvanized the arts community into action during the summer of 1998. Early in 1999, meetings were held in seven different locations across Ontario, attracting more than 600 participants. In addition, a widely-distributed questionnaire elicited over 400 responses during the same time period.
The results of these soundings have been compiled into a report entitled Beginning the Conversation: The Ontario Arts Report. Released in mid-April, this document succinctly enumerates the concerns deeply felt by artists, arts groups, teachers, journalists, librarians, arts board members and supporters across the province. It also presents clearly-enunciated recommendations on each of the major issues.
The most far-reaching recommendation of the Report is a call for the “development and adoption of a provincial arts policy that will guide Ontario’s role in the arts in the new millennium.” In other words, this document is “just the beginning,” suggesting “a strong need for wider, deeper public participation.” In the process, Ontario Arts Report Co-ordinator Sandra Tulloch hopes that “respect for the arts and the democratic process will re-emerge in Ontario.”
To view a copy of the full report, call Guelph Arts Council (519) 836-3280.
The Preamble…
EDITOR’S NOTE: The following is an excerpt from the “Preamble” to Beginning the Conversation, and is reproduced here with permission.
The Ontario Arts Report … was an initiative of the arts community, by the arts community and for the arts community – taking stock and looking to the new century.
Arts consumers, audiences and donors, business and corporate supporters and investment by the federal government and municipal governments are key to securing a healthy ecology for the future of the arts in Ontario. However, the province’s leadership is vital for leveraging other investment and participation and it is essential for providing affordable, equitable access to the arts for all citizens of Ontario. Beginning the Conversation focuses on the role of the province of Ontario as advocate, investor and champion of the arts.
Beginning the Conversation is not about preserving the status quo. This is a report about the situation in Ontario today. It is not just about money, though money is an important element. It is about attitude, respect, and democratic access. It is about using public resources and public policy for the benefit of the full range of professional arts activities in Ontario – for individual artists as well as arts organizations, for small, new and innovative groups as well as major established institutions, and for arts activities in smaller cities and towns and in the North as well as in large metropolitan centres and the South.
This report is about recognizing and supporting the diversity of the arts in Ontario. It is about an holistic approach to the arts based on the continuum of artistic practice and needs, including support for creation, training and professional development, arts in education, arts production and presentation, and arts facilities. It is about renewing respect and support for the Ontario Arts Council as an organization with a long tradition of innovation and effectiveness.
Beginning the Conversation identifies issues of prime importance to our future and respectfully offers its recommendations to the Ministry of Citizenship, Culture, and Recreation, the Ontario Arts Council, and the arts community itself. Some recommendations are for immediate attention while others require long-range strategies and planning.
Beginning the Conversation
seeks a new dialogue with the province whereby all key stakeholders engage in a creative and dynamic renewal, re-vitalization and revisioning for Ontario’s extraordinary arts sector.
The Issues…
The Ontario Arts Report consultations identified a number of key issues, which have been well documented in Beginning the Conversation.- Arts in Education – While many applauded the new arts curriculum, 96 per cent of those consulted felt that the severe cuts in education funding will make it very difficult for untrained teachers and strapped school boards to implement it and to achieve the stated outcomes. Concern was also expressed about the lack of equitable access to artistic programs, especially the emerging phenomenon of “have” and “have not” schools.
- Re-Direction of Arts Funding – Participants acknowledged the new programs and dollars recently announced by the provincial government, but felt that these new initiatives did not address the real needs of the arts community, and did little to redress the impact of the cuts from programs and services of the OAC and the Ministry.
- Cultural Agency Boards – Some 94 per cent of those consulted had concerns about recent trends in filling vacancies on government-appointed arts boards, especially the OAC. There was a strong feeling that many new board members have become apologists for the government that appointed them, rather than “strong advocates for the well-being of the arts.”
- Training and Professional Development – There was a significant concern that the severe curtailment of support for training and professional development by OAC and the Ministry will have serious long-term impacts on the strength of the arts community.
- Sustaining and Upgrading Arts Facilities – Some 91 per cent of participants felt that the Ontario government is not protecting the significant investment that it has made in arts facilities. Without much in the way of current provincial investment, many aging facilities have lost the ability to leverage funds from other levels of government or the private sector in order to undertake needed upgrading programs.
-Ontario Arts Endowment Fund – While agreeing that “endowments are a wonderful concept,” a majority of those consulted felt that they do not address the needs of individual artists and many smaller arts organizations, especially outside of Toronto. There was also the feeling that endowment funds should not be a substitute for OAC grants.
- Community Consultations – Although acknowledging the long history of OAC consultations with the community, many participants shared a sense almost of betrayal that OAC had recently made so many far-reaching changes without any community consultations.
- Volunteers on OAC Advisory Panels – Although there was some sense that non-professionals could play a useful role on advisory panels, there was a fairly strong feeling that the majority of panelists should still be professional artists/arts administrators.
- No Payment for OAC Advisory Panelists – There was a very real sense that OAC’s new policy of non-payment for advisory panelists will significantly reduce the quality and diversity of the panels themselves.
- The Province’s Leadership Role – Almost 100 per cent of participants felt that the policies of the current Ontario government had severely undermined the arts in Ontario. There was also a strong feeling that the government has very little interest in and understanding of what the arts contribute artistically, economically and socially to Ontario. There seems to be a survival of the fittest philosophy, and that truly does very little to nourish new, creative initiatives in so many areas of the arts.
Ed Video Launches- DON'T BANK ON IT
- by Anna Contini
- DON'T BANK ON IT
- Artists and activists from across Canada have been invited to take part in an exiting new video project being launched by Guelph’s Ed Video Media Arts Centre. DON’T BANK ON IT: Artists Respond to the Future of the Monetary System aims to bring together a series of short videos and video installations that explore the theme of banking and monetary issues.
DON’T BANK ON IT has sprung out of Ed Video’s highly successful BIG BOX KNOCKOUT production/screening project, whereby local and national artists created a series of short films, videos and computer animation on the topic of “community vs. commercialism.” For DON’T BANK ON IT, Ed Video is once again seeking to provide “a challenging artistic event to the community as well as an opportunity for artists to create thematically-related work with a socio/political focus.”
DON’T BANK ON IT is indeed a timely event with the coming millennium, trends toward a cashless society and the multitude of other changes in our monetary system. Having received a grant from the Canada Council for the Arts, Ed Video will assist ten artists from across Canada with the production of new works. The local centre is collaborating with other artist-run centres across Canada, so that people can participate regardless of where they live. Participants in this region will be using Ed Video’s equipment and facilities.
Possible subjects for DON’T BANK ON IT include globalization, electronic cash systems, bank mergers, student debt, smart-cards, mobility of capital, ethical investing, alternative trade/barter systems, the responsibilities of banks as community members, and the ethics of bank profits in an age of social inequity. Proposed video projects should be a maximum length of five minutes and received at Ed Video by June 25, 1999.
The production period for selected videos is July to September. Individuals whose proposals are selected will receive equipment rental, editing time and tape stock. A gala screening of the finished videos will take place in November 1999. In addition to short videos, the DON’T BANK ON IT project will include site-specific video installations in downtown Guelph. An installation involves placing a monitor, or multiple monitors, cameras or projecting videos in unique and surprising locations.
Hats off to Ed Video for once again enhancing and stimulating the creativity of this artistic community!
For more information contact Ed Video at (519) 836-9811 or email edvideo@albedo.net.
BACK TO CONTENTSGuelph: “The Best Blooming City”
Three years ago, Guelph entered its first "Communities in Bloom" competition, going up against several other Ontario communities of the same size (50 000 to 100 000 population) and coming out with the provincial title. This honour entitled the community to compete in the national competition, which it did, receiving special mention for environmental efforts in 1997 and for heritage conservation in 1998. Now, in 1999, Guelph is setting its sights for the top national prize.
Judging for the competition takes places in August each year, and covers several areas of municipal beautification -- quality of green space, diversity and originality of landscaping, general tidiness, environmental awareness, heritage and culture, and most importantly, community involvement. In other words, Communities in Bloom is more than just flowers. It's about the "flowering" of a community, or community betterment, and a sense of community pride that comes when citizens work together to beautify and improve their community.
To get involved in Communities in Bloom, groups -- and that includes arts and heritage groups -- are encouraged to register any program, activity or event that they are planning for 1999. Concerts, dance recitals, art shows, theatre productions, workshops, awards programs are but a few examples of suggested activities.
All registered events will then be listed in the Communities in Bloom community calendar, helping to promote both the events themselves and Guelph as a community seeking the national Championship. In turn, groups registering their events will be able to use the Communities in Bloom logo in their promotional materials, and will be encouraged to submit stories and photos that can be included in the final document that is prepared for the judges.
So, let's ensure that Guelph's vibrant cultural comminuty is well represented in this year's communities in Bloom calendar. Let's help make Guelph "the best blooming city in Canada!"
For more information or to secure a registration form, contact Guelph Recreation and Parks Department (519) 837-5618, or call Guelph Arts Council at (519) 836-3280GAC 1999 Guided Walking Tours
Tour I: Where Guelph Began – May 2, June 6, August 15, September 19
Departs from: Guelph Civic Museum, 6 Dublin Street South (corner of Waterloo)
Tour II: Downtown Walkabout – May 9, June 13, August 22, September 26
Departs from: Guelph Civic Museum, 6 Dublin Street South (corner of Waterloo)
Tour III: The Slopes of the Speed – May 16, June 20, August 29, October 3
Departs from: Guelph Public Library, 100 Norfolk Street (corner of Paisley)
Tour IV: Altar and Hearth – May 23, June 27, September 5, October 10
Departs from: Guelph Civic Museum, 6 Dublin Street South (corner of Waterloo)
Tour V: Brooklyn and the College Hill – May 30, July 4, September 12, October 17
Departs from: McCrae House, 108 Water Street
Each tour begins at 2 pm and costs $2 person. Walking tour booklets are available at $5 each for all tours, either from the tour guides or from the Guelph Arts Council office, 147 Wyndham St. N., Suite 404 (519) 836-3280.
For the historical walking tour program, Guelph Arts Council gratefully acknowledges the support of the Downtown Board of Management, Jeffery & Spence Ltd. Insurance and Mediaworks.- DISCOVER GUELPH:
- Be a Tourist In Your Own Town
On Saturday, May 15, 1999, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Guelph residents and visitors alike will have a unique opportunity to discover this City’s many treasures. By purchasing a passport for a nominal fee of $5 (children free), individuals can tailor their day by choosing their routes and destinations. Throughout the day passport holders will be able to ride Guelph Transit free of charge to each of the venues, and the Bookshelf Cinema will be offering free screenings.
The second annual DISCOVER GUELPH promises to be bigger and better than ever. Twelve venues have planned an exciting line-up of activities, demonstrations and performances that will take place at the top of each hour and appeal to a wide variety of tastes:
The Arboretum – University of Guelph Campus 824-4120 x2113
Discover nature, gardens and much more! This year the Arboretum will feature hay rides from the main gate to the Arboretum Centre where audiences will be entertained by singer Lucy Alwey. Youngsters will want to catch a special performance by Doug Barr from 1 to 2 p.m. Other features include tours of the various gardens, tea and scones and a crafts and plant sale.
Macdonald Stewart Art Centre – 358 Gordon St. 837-0010
Guided tours of both the indoor exhibitions and the outdoor Sculpture Park will be offered throughout the day. Complimentary refreshments will be provided. The Gallery Shop will showcase local artist, Maria Pezzano and her bright whimsical paintings, ceramics and tile work.
The Boathouse – 116 Gordon St. (just south of Wellington Street) 822-5692
This multi-use facility (restaurant, ice-cream parlour and river interpretive centre) located on the Speed River will be the site for several outdoor leisure and recreational activities. Rockwood Outfitters will have canoes and kayaks available for those who want to try their hand at paddling, and fishing and casting demonstrations and instruction will be offered by Hook, Line and Sinker Fishing Tackle. For those wanting to discover local wildlife, Paul Grant of Wild Birds Unlimited will be leading birdwatching hikes from the Boathouse at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.
McCrae House – 108 Water St. 836-1221
The picturesque outdoor grounds of McCrae House will feature displays, demonstrations, crafts and drumming by a local Aboriginal Community Group. Refreshments will be available. Participants are also invited inside for a tour of the historic McCrae House Museum.
Guelph Civic Museum – 6 Dublin St. S. 836-1221
Come and discover the exciting changes that have taken place at Guelph Civic Museum. A new gallery space and exhibit will be featured in addition to family and children’s activities.
Downtown Guelph – St. George’s Square 836-6144
The Downtown Board of Management will be offering hourly performances in the Activity Court. Featured talent includes Guelph Contemporary Dance Festival, Royal City Saxophone Quartet, a Hillside Festival Preview and other local performers. In addition, historical horse-drawn trolley rides led by Guelph Arts Council tour guides will be offered.
Guelph Arts Council – 147 Wyndham St. N. #404 836-3280
Discover Guelph artists by visiting artists’ studios and local galleries that will be open specially for the day. In the Eaton Centre, Guelph artisans and craftspeople will showcase what they do. (Lists of participating artists, galleries and organizations available at each venue.) Also, as last year, Guelph Arts Council will be offering guided historical tours for the horse-drawn trolley rides sponsored by the Downtown Board of Management.
River Run Centre – 35 Woolwich St. 837-5662
Discover performance at the park grounds just outside of the River Run Centre. Featured talent includes the Royal City Ambassadors and a preview of the summer musical Jump, Jive and Swing by Theatre Alive. Swing dance instruction also provided.
Evergreen Seniors Centre – 683 Woolwich St. 823-1291
Discover a rich array of seniors’ activities including badminton, line dancing, tai chi, quilting, snooker and visual arts. Featured performers include pianist Jeannette Montgomery and the Twilites. The dining room will be open for light refreshments and the front desk will be selling crafts.
Riverside Park – Woolwich St. (north of Speedvale Avenue) 837-5618
There’s plenty to see and do at Riverside this year for participants of all ages. The Multicultural Festival will showcase a variety of performances throughout the day, and there will also be skateboarding and BMX cycling demonstrations. For gardening enthusiasts, there will be the Blossom Express and tips from Master Gardeners. Once again free carousel and train rides will be offered throughout the day.
Cox Creek Cellars – Wellington Co. Rd. 22 (just off Highway 6) 767-3253
Discover the area’s first estate winery at Cox Creek Cellars just eight minutes north of the city. Tours of the picturesque vineyards and facilities, followed by wine and cheese tasting, will be offered each hour beginning at noon. To add to the ambience, Los Jovenas, a young quartet from the Suzuki String School of Guelph, will be performing from 2 to 4 p.m.
Guelph Ale Trail Breweries (Open 1 to 4:30 on May 15 & 16 and other Ale Trail weekends)
Discover the craft of brewing in the heart of Ontario’s traditional brewing country. This year the DISCOVER GUELPH event nicely coincides with an ALE TRAIL weekend. Check out the three Guelph breweries: Sleeman’s (551 Clair Rd. W.), Wellington County Brewery (950 Woodlawn Rd. W.) and F & M Brewery (355 Elmira Rd) – free of charge.
Passports for DISCOVER GUELPH can be purchased at any of the participating venues (breweries excluded). They will also be available at the Guelph Farmers’ Market May 1 and 8, and at Stone Road Mall May 1. When purchasing passports, be sure to fill out the attached ballot for a chance to win a $1000 travel voucher and other great prizes. On the day itself, participants can get their passports stamped at each of the attractions they visit, and for the month of May they can take advantage of several freebees and coupons from local businesses. All excellent value for only $5!!
DISCOVER GUELPH was initiated in 1998 by Guelph Arts Council and Guelph Visitor and Convention Services. This year the project has been supported by Guelph Visitor and Convention Services and Guelph Recreation and Parks in addition to local businesses and organizations. Sponsors this year include Royal City Realty; Robinson & Company; Royal City American Express Travel; Greenmor Printing Co. Ltd.; Robinson, Lott & Brohman; and Rotary Club of Guelph.
For more information about DISCOVER GUELPH, please contact Guelph Visitor Information Centre, Eaton Centre (2nd floor), 55 Wyndham Street North (519) 837-1335.- Millennium Countdown
- It’s hard to believe but there are only a few short months left now until we’ll be face to face with a brand new millennium! In order that Guelphites can give this momentous occasion its due, a City Millennium Committee is hard at work on a number of exciting ideas which will be unveiled at a public open house to be held in mid-June at the River Run Centre. At that time, the Committee will also be looking to get members of the community thinking about and planning for special millennium projects, events and activities.
First, though, the Committee is inviting creative input from the community in order to help develop a slogan that will take Guelph into the new millennium in style. In keeping with the federal government’s nationwide slogan of “sharing the memory, shaping the dream,” Guelph’s Millennium Committee is searching for a “made in Guelph” slogan that will reflect a celebration of this City’s past and future.
The deadline for submissions in May 31, 1999. The Committee will select finalists from among the submissions received, and the winning entry will be chosen at the June open house.
The slogan chosen will be used on all promotional materials utilized by the Millennium Committee. As well, a special millennium logo will be designed to complement the slogan.
So, start thinking about what Guelph means to you, and about how you might share these ideas with the entire community in celebration of the millennium.
For more information, contact the City’s Marketing and Events Co-ordinator (519) 822-1260 ext 289 or Fax 837-5648.
- Multicultural Festival ’99
Promising to be bigger and better than ever, the 1999 Guelph Multicultural Festival is scheduled for June 18 to 20 at the Concert Shell at Riverside Park. Festivities will begin with a parade leaving Guelph City Hall at 6:30 p.m. on June 18, proceeding to the Park via Woolwich Street. Opening ceremonies will follow at 7:30 p.m. at the Concert Shell.
In the course of the festival, more than 20 ethnocultural groups will be participating, offering a community celebration that includes dance, music, song, international cuisine, crafts, games
and a children’s play area. There will also be a soccer tournament featuring teams of ethnocultural orientation from across Ontario.
For the latest news and information, call the Festival Info-line at (519) 836-1803. Anyone wanting to volunteer or groups interested in participating in either the festivities or the soccer tournament should call the Guelph and District Multicultural Centre at (519) 836-2222.
- A GUIDE TO PUBLIC ART IN GUELPH