It is back to school week in our area, and this year, that means different things to different families.
Whether you are homeschooling, online learning, heading to a private school or going back to public school, let’s make sure we have each other’s backs and support each other in these very difficult times. Kindness goes a long way and it is only by working together that we will keep each other safe.
The Orillia Public Library has been versatile and innovative during this whole pandemic, and continues to be so this fall. Doors are now open, so you can go in and check out your favourite books, or if you prefer curbside pick up, you can still do that on Tuesdays.
The library is still offering many online and virtual workshops and events, including a writing club, French conversation circle, trivia, and more. Next Wed. Sept. 16, Virtual Books on Tap, a book club for 20- and 30-somethings, gets started with a discussion of The Darwin Affair by Timothy Mason.
Later in the month, on Sept. 26, the library’s popular fall How-To Festival returns online, through the library’s Facebook page. The festival will consist of short how-to videos in lots of categories and interests. The library also has Hoopla, a subscription service for access to movies, music, audiobooks, ebooks and more. It’s free with your library card.
For more information about all the amazing activities and events the Orillia Public Library has to offer, go to the website here or check out the Facebook page here.
The Orillia Museum of Art and History is also starting to gear up with some potential fall programming and extended hours. You still need to call to make an appointment to come in, but hours are extended to Tuesday to Saturday from noon to 3 p.m.
Life drawing and Art 101 will be resuming later in September and possibly some other programming depending on interest and pandemic numbers. Current exhibitions are up until the end of September. To be put on an interested list for programming, reach out by calling 705-326-2159. For more information, check the website here.
Another sign of fall is the deadline for the Orillia Regional Art and Heritage Awards nominations. That deadline is coming up on Oct. 2, so it is definitely time to get your nominations together. All nominations are to be submitted online only, through a portal. You need a nomination letter, a supporting letter written by someone else, and then some supporting materials, which could be images, documents, media links, website, social media, etc.
There are five nomination categories: 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. Achievements aren’t necessarily tied to this specific year, so if you have an event that didn’t happen this year due to the pandemic, you can still submit that event. For lots more information and the nomination portal, click here.
The Orillia Terry Fox run is going virtual this year, and as an add-on, doing a virtual trivia night, on Tues. Sept. 15 at 7 p.m. You can have teams of four people, and the whole thing is via Zoom. For more information and to register, click here.
Pocket Skate and Vintage is having its grand opening on Sat. Sept. 12 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It is located at 121 Mississaga St. E. and will have great deals on clothing, accessories and more. Come check it out and welcome them to the downtown.
On Mon. Sept. 14 at 11 a.m. The Uptique Boutique is hosting a paint-your-own-piece workshop. You can paint your old, tired furniture with fusion mineral paint and achieve a whole new look. The cost of the workshop is $85, and you must bring your own piece. For more information and to register, click here.
If you have arts news, email [email protected] by Tuesday at noon to be in this column. Stay safe and please wear your mask.
