It’s Thanksgiving weekend and what does that mean? The Images Thanksgiving Studio Tour is here of course…as well as turkey, stuffing and pie.
This venerable and well-curated studio tour is in its 36th year and has more than 30 artists in 18 different studios in 2019. Venues are in Orillia and throughout Oro-Medonte and the tour is a wonderful way to see different artists’ work in many different media while enjoying a drive though stunning autumnal scenery.
Artists involved include Pam and Paul Allen, Dave Beckett, Mike Bailey, Tony Bianco, Deb Brown, Marlene Bulas, Charles Pachter, Jimi McKee, and Kathryn Kaiser among many others with media include painting, pottery, woodworking, fibre arts and lots more as well.
The tour runs Friday to Monday inclusive, daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., so there is lots of opportunity to come check it out, regardless of when your relatives are coming for dinner. Maps and a full list of artists and venues can be found here.
Have you heard of Sustainable Orillia? This is a group supported by Mayor and Council who are looking for ways to make Orillia more sustainable. The group held a forum in the spring with lots of speakers and breakout talks in nine different sectors including transportation, goods and services, housing, and…arts and culture! So yes, this is where we come in.
November is going to be declared Sustainable Orillia month and there are several speakers and workshops planned by many of the sectors. The arts and culture sector is holding an art show, Art for Earth, thanks to the kindness of Molly Farquharson and Hibernation Arts.
Farquharson has put out the call for artists. Artists in all media are invited to bring one or two pieces that reflect their thoughts on climate change locally and globally. Pieces must be less than 20" tall or across.
Entry is free but if a piece sells, Hibernation Arts gets 25 per cent of the price. Please send a photo of your piece(s) to Hibernation Arts on Facebook messenger or to [email protected] by Oct. 24, with delivery by Oct. 31. The opening will be on Nov. 2 from 1 to 3 p.m.
So, please send your piece in and help the Sustainable Orillia Arts Sector Art Show a big success. And if you are not an artist, please come to the opening and enjoy the artists' work.
Thurs. Oct. 10 join Nicole Lisa Craig on the Dragon and Phoenix Tour at the Orillia Opera House, at 7:30 p.m. Nicole and her band bring great lyrics and music to the stage for only $25 a ticket. For tickets, click here.
Also on Oct. 10, nip over to Hibernation Arts for an intimate concert with local musician and artist Paul Court. The music and fun begin at 7 p.m. at 7 Peter St. S. and you can join in for only $20 which includes light refreshments.
The Geneva Event Centre at 16 West St. S. presents the comedy tour, We Own the North, on Saturday. Doors open at 8 p.m. This is a great group of young comedians who own the stage, too. Tickets $15 in advance here or $20 at the door.
A unique creative workshop is coming to town! Gshkoziwin is a day-long arts-based workshop which focuses on freeing your imagination and awakening your creativity through arts-based exercises and discussion as well as drawing inspiration from the Call 83 Truth and Reconciliation art exhibit at St. Paul’s Centre.
Facilitated by artists and arts educators, Gshkoziwin can be a life-changing way to channel your imagination and bring back your child-like feelings of awe and wonder. Gshkoziwin is being held at St. Paul’s Centre on Sat. Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Registration is $50 or pay what you can. To register, call St. Paul’s Centre at 705-326-7351 ext. 2. or 5 or email [email protected].
Don't forget: The deadline for nominations for the brand-new Orillia Regional Arts and Heritage Awards. This is a merger of the Orillia Museum of Art & History (OMAH) History Awards and the ODAC Arts Awards and we know it will be a good one!
There are five categories, including Education in Arts, Culture and Heritage; Emerging Artist; Heritage: Restoration, Renovation and Publication; Event in Arts, Culture and Heritage; and the Qennefer Browne Achievement Award.
Do not tell me you can’t think of anyone to nominate in this town full of talent! For more information on the categories and to download the nomination form, go here.
Deadline for nominations is Oct. 25 at 4 p.m. and they can be dropped off at OMAH or emailed to [email protected]. Please pass this information on. If you aren’t planning on nominating, find someone who will.
This is a wonderful opportunity to showcase a talented, hardworking individual or group in our region. This year’s awards are sponsored by Accutrac Capital Solutions and supported by the City of Orillia's Parks Recreation and Culture Department and OMAH.
Coming up next weekend is the Orillia Jazz Fest, and after that, some of our Orillia Performing Arts Forum members get going on some of their fall events and concerts. Speaking of that, Mariposa Arts Theatre’s film night is next week, with the film The Farewell next Wednesday at 4 and 7 p.m. Read all about it here. More on jazz and all the rest next week.
Music in the bars? Yes. At the Brownstone café, Friday Run Rabbit Run, Sunday Old Man Luedecke. At the Hog ‘n’ Penny, Friday Charlotte Unplugged. At Fionn MacCool’s, Friday Lovers and Lunatics. At the casino, Thursday The Austalian Pink Floyd Show, Friday Buddy Guy, Saturday Million Dollar Quartet. Tailwinds usually has live music evenings and Sunday afternoon.
Don’t forget to send me your arts events, by Tuesdays at noon, to [email protected]. Have a great Thanksgiving weekend!
