GUELPHCelebrating 40Creative Years

Venture Guelph Publications Ltd. 2015

guelph.ca/culture

Congratulations GUELPH ARTS COUNCIL on your

Proudly working together to create lifelong opportunities for participation and belonging through creative experiences.

The City’s Culture, Tourism and Community Investment department offers a diverse range of services and programs to support community well-being and prosperity, and to foster a sense of place and pride in Guelph.

Guelph Farmers’ MarketGuelph MuseumsGuelph-Wellington Local Immigration PartnershipMarket Square

Public Art River Run CentreSleeman CentreVisit Guelph, Tourism ServicesCommunity Investments

ANN IVERSARY

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Arts Guelph is produced byVenture Guelph PublicationsLtd. in collaboration with theGuelph Arts Council (GAC).Entirely funded by advertisingsales, a portion of the proceedsare directed back to the GAC.

Arts Guelph is designed toentice you to further explorethe diverse arts and culture

opportunities in Guelphand neighbouring areas.This digest is also available

free of charge in digital format ventureguelph.ca.

Mike Baker, Owner andPublisher. Venture GuelphPublications Ltd.Guelph ON. 519-824-1595 email: venture@golden.net

GUELPHCelebrating Arts & Culture

2013

Celebrating 40Creative Years

On behalf of Guelph Arts Council’s(GAC) Board of Directors and staff, wewould like to thank Venture GuelphPublications Ltd. for supporting thisinitiative, which celebrates GAC’s 40thanniversary and our wonderfully richcreative community. This publicationoffers a unique platform toshowcase the talent and skills thatare located within our own commu-nity, and advances GAC’s commitmentto championing Guelph’s creativecommunity. It also looks back onthe achievements of that communityover the years, and recognizes otheranniversaries that are taking placethis year.In 1974 Guelph's City Council, rec-ognizing the transformative potentialof arts and culture and the creativityof Guelph citizens, had the foresightto pass a resolution directing theMayor to establish an arts council forthe community. One of Ontario’s firstcommunity arts councils, Guelph ArtsCouncil was established in 1975for the purpose of stimulating, en-couraging and coordinating the devel-opment of arts activities in Guelph.Over the years, GAC has been build-

ing the cultural heart of the city byassisting with the development ofnew organizations such as MacdonaldStewart Arts Centre (now Art Galleryof Guelph), Guelph Chamber Choir,

Guelph Civic Museum, Guelph YouthOrchestra, Royal City MusicalProductions, River Run Centre, andmany more.GAC enriches the lives of Guelph's

residents and visitors by connectingthem with artists and arts organiza-tions and creating opportunities forpersonal inspiration. We have alsoshared knowledge, space andadministrative services with arts andculture groups, while offering profes-sional development support throughawards and workshops.GAC has been a voice for the arts

in larger community endeavours,increasing awareness of the role thearts play in creating vibrant communi-ties where people want to work, liveand play. Together with its supportersand members, GAC will honour itslegacy by continuing to support andchampion the arts, making Guelphone of Canada's great creative cities.As a charity, we are supported by

the City of Guelph, the Ontario ArtsCouncil, The Guelph CommunityFoundation–Musagetes Fund,The ElevatorProject, and pro-gram sponsors,donors andmembers. If youbelieve in what

we do and would like to help us carryout our mission, please become amember or connect with us at anevent, via email, or stop by our officeat 147 Wyndham Street North,Suite 404. Donations are gratefullyaccepted online at guelpharts.ca, orby calling 519-836-3280.Once again we would like to thank

Venture Guelph Publications Ltd. fortheir support. We would also like tocongratulate all the creative peoplein Guelph that work so tirelesslyto contribute to the unique characterthat defines this city.

Sincerely,

Cynthia KinnunenPresident, Guelph Arts Council

Patti BroughtonExecutive Director, Guelph ArtsCouncil

2015

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Congratulations to the Guelph Arts Council(GAC) on 40 years of arts leadership!Over the past four decades, the GAC hasplayed an essential role in Guelph and thesurrounding region, launching many successfularts initiatives and events.From its beginnings, the GAC has supported

the development of dozens of arts organizationsand hundreds of artists in and around Guelph.It has been an advocate for the arts, helping toestablish the River Run Centre, and contributingto the City of Guelph’s Recreation, Parks andCulture Strategic Master Plan.The Ontario Arts Council has been pleased to

support the GAC from its earliest days. On behalfof our board and staff, please accept our best

wishes for your anniversaryyear and beyond.

Sincerely,

Rita DaviesChair, Ontario Arts Council

For more than 50 years, the Ontario Arts Councilhas played a vital role in promoting and assistingthe development of the arts for the enjoyment andbenefit of Ontarians. In 2014-15, OAC funded1,709 individual artists and 1,078 organizationsin 204 communities across Ontario for a totalof $52.1 million.

Advertising Sales & Project Management:Venture Guelph Publications Ltd. staff.

Editor: Heather Grummett. Production Design: Linda Carey.

email: venture@golden.net

Cover Photos: Guelph Symphony Orchestra Gala,photo supplied; Happy making pianos, photo by Ian Findlay;Guelph Youth Singers with conductor Markus Howard,photo supplied by GYMC; Artist paints, photo byMelissa Gobeil.

On behalf of the City of Guelph, I am thrilled to offercongratulations and best wishes to the Guelph ArtsCouncil on the occasion of your 40th anniversary.Many visitors and new residents are surprised and

impressed with Guelph’s vibrant arts and culturescene. Whether it’s visual art or the performing artsand music, Guelph has exceptional offerings fora city our size. The Guelph Arts Council has played animportant role in this as a champion of local artsand culture for the past four decades.The Guelph Arts Council has helped shape our city

in significant and positive ways. Thank you for yourcontributions over the past 40 years, and here’s to the next 40!

Sincerely,

Cam GuthrieMayor, City of Guelph

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The Art Gallery of Guelph (AGG) is one ofCanada’s premier public art galleries. AGGfeatures art by Guelph’s leading visual artistsand brings national and international art toGuelph. Through an innovative program thatmakes contemporary visual culture accessible,AGG engages the broad and eclecticregional community and positions art in anever-changing cultural landscape.AGG (formerly Macdonald Stewart Art Centre)

was established in 1978 through a provincialact as a not-for-profit charitable organization.AGG operates today with the support of ourfounding partners: the University of Guelph, theCity of Guelph, and the Upper Grand DistrictSchool Board.With support from the OntarioTrillium Foundation and our sponsors, AGGachieved a major construction project in thesummer of 2015 that included the restorationof the gallery’s iconic front porch and thereconstruction of a barrier-free accessibilityramp at the north entrance to the building.The art collections at AGG have grown from

150 works in 1978, to more than 9,000 in2015. The gallery houses two collections: theAGG Collection of contemporary Canadian and

international art, and the University of GuelphCollection of Canadian and international artsince the 15th century. Keystone Group ofSeven paintings, The Drive (circa 1916) by TomThomson and Morning Light, Lake Superior(circa 1927) by Lawren Harris, each originallypurchased for the bargain basement price of$500, are among the most valuable andbeloved works in the historical collection. TheSculpture Park at AGG is the largest sculpturepark at a public gallery in Canada, featuring38 permanently sited sculptures by prominentGuelph, Canadian, and international artists.For 37 years, AGG has thrived due to the

support of countless individuals andorganizations, including our visionary sponsorsand deeply committed volunteers. AGG’sVolunteer Association operates The GalleryShop at AGG, featuring unique pottery, glass,and metalwork by regional artists, andsoapstone sculpture by Inuit artists. The ArtRental & Sales program offers over 150original works by Guelph artists.Located at 358 Gordon St (at College Ave),

AGG is open Tuesday to Sunday from noon to5pm. Admission is free. artgalleryofguelph.ca

Art Gallery of Guelph

TheArtGallery

of#Guelphietaken

attheopening

ofAGGon

September17.Photo

by:DeanPalm

er

During my first Guelph Studio Tour a gentlemanwho was purchasing my work told me that hehad recently tried to bid on a painting of mineat an auction and lost, describing the event likethe “fish that got away”.As we chatted we realized that his company

had recently purchased art from a close friendof mine. Days later, he called to say that mypainting looked great hanging in his diningroom. This one painting had formed newconnections beyond the first studio visit. Nowthere was a connection between me and theother artists in his collection, and between eachpiece hanging in his space.Myself and the other artists on the tour share

similar stories–which reveal the value of havingan art collection. The value goes beyond thedollar–it shows its worth in quietly telling theworld a little bit more about its owner, wherethey’ve been and what’s important to them.The Guelph Studio Tour started 30 years ago,

in 1986, with a close-knit group of 17 artistswho opened their studios to the public as a wayto show and sell their work. The tour startedas a walking tour in the downtown, bringingenergy to the shops and restaurants.Today, the Guelph Studio Tour involves 42 artists

representing a great diversity of disciplines.

With 30 years of building blocks in place, thething that remains a constant is that the GuelphStudio Tour stands for authenticity, connectionand community…history and art combinedhave a way of doing that.

Jessica Masters

Guelph Chamber Choirenters its 35th seasonThe Guelph Chamber Choir was founded in1980 to foster the development andappreciation of choral music in Guelph and thesurrounding area. Consisting of highly talented,but largely amateur singers from a wide rangeof occupations, the choir is in its 35th season.With four or five concerts in its regular series,the choir’s repertoire ranges from Renaissancemasters to newly commissioned works, fromclassical repertoire to Broadway arrangements,and from masterworks for choir and orchestrato choral gems for unaccompanied voices.Gerald Neufeld has conducted the choir for

33 years, accompanied at the piano for manyyears by Alison MacNeill.2015-16 season at guelphchamberchoir.ca

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Guelph StudioTour celebrates 30 years

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Forty years ago when Guelph ArtsCouncil was formed by Guelph CityCouncil, one of the mandates was to“bring a performing arts centre” to ourcity. Twenty-two years later River RunCentre opened its doors. The manyhurdles and setbacks that wereencountered never deterred a resoluteCitizens Committee for the PerformingArts Centre, which, onrecommendation of the ArtsCouncil, had been established byCity Council. The Arts Councilthen managed the donations tothe fund-raising campaign andprovided administrative assistanceto the committee, which, withgreat help from the broadercommunity, worked diligently tobring about the splendid centre weenjoy today.In 1978 the city-owned Speed Skating

Rink, a rather grand limestonestructure on the banks of the SpeedRiver, was designated as the site for thenew facility. It was downtown, nearrestaurants, across the street fromparking and was very near the spotwhere John Galt erected Guelph’s firstbuilding, the Priory. The skating rinkhad been built in 1882 and, althoughdisused, was still standing. The originaldesign for River Run incorporated therink. However before Moriyama +Teshima, Architects could start work,that building was destroyed by fire. Itsstone façade was dismantled andreconstructed to form a near-byoutdoor amphitheatre.

Moriyama + Teshima, Architectsworked with ARTEC, acousticians andtheatre consultants, to design a mainperformance hall seating 800, a smallermulti-use hall for 250 and CanadaCompany Hall, which doubles as alobby as well as a handsome gatheringspace for receptions and conferences. Itwas felt that the main hall should have

been named “The Wow Hall”. Theaudience was so overwhelmed by thebeauty of the warm wood and gleamingbrass that they often just stopped andsaid “wow”! Since opening on October4, 1997, the building has hosted anaverage of 450 events a year.Construction cost for River Run was

$14 million with $5.5 million beingraised by the Citizens Committee. Thecity, provincial government and federalgovernment provided the remainder.River Run is owned and operated bythe City of Guelph.Find out what’s on at the River Run

Centre this season by visiting riverrun.ca.

Nancy Coates, Chair, Building Committee, CitizensCommittee for the Performing Arts; and foundingPresident, Guelph Arts Council

History of the River Run CentrePhoto

suppliedby:GAC

It’s a great pleasure, on behalf of the Cityof Guelph’s Culture, Tourism andCommunity Investment department, tocongratulate Guelph Arts Council (GAC)on the occasion of its 40th anniversary.The community of Guelph is proud of

its reputation as a pulsating, vibrantcultural hub. As we celebrate with GAC,we are reminded of its vital role infostering an animated and livelyenvironment that has made it possible forarts and culture to thrive. Over the pastfour decades, GAC has worn manydifferent hats to support the creativework of artists and arts organizations inour community: • Incubator • Partner• Communicator • Instigator• Collaborator • Educator• Supporter • Administrator• And the list goes on…All these different roles contribute

immeasurably to our community well-being. In addition, the Council’ssteadfast role as a go-to cultural resourcefor anyone in the community remains avital asset to Guelph. As part of ourpartnership with GAC, we look forwardto continuing our work together tomaximize our resources, shareinformation and facilitate new initiatives.Milestone celebrations–at their best–

serve as springboards for renewal andrevitalization. It is thrilling to workalongside GAC as it envisions whichhats it will wear to best serve thecommunity over the next 40 years.Onward…to the next 40!

Ella Pauls,Manager, Cultural Affairs and Tourism, City of Guelph

A celebration of Guelph Arts Council’s 40th

Anniversary

November 19, 2015River Run Centre – 7:00 pm

A retro evening of wine & art pairing

tickets$30 or $50 (with $20 tax receipt)

purchase tickets atriverrun.ca or guelpharts.caor call (519) 763-3000

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(519) 822-1271762 Woolwich St., Guelph

www.woodlawnmemorialpark.ca

From a celebration of life,

to a place in Guelph’s HistoryWith rich history spanning over 160 years,Woodlawn Memorial Park has become a

place to gather, to rest and remember, reflectand find comfort. Full of beautiful art work,landscape and scenery, Woodlawn’s tranquil

beauty offers an escape for the living–truly an outdoor museum.

To learn more about the historyof Woodlawn Memorial Park, visitwww.woodlawnmemorialpark.ca or

find us on Facebook.

40 successful years

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This has certainlybeen a year toremember inGuelph, as ourcommunity hasmarked severalsignificant

milestones.At Guelph Museums, we have spent

2015 commemorating the centenary ofthe writing of In Flanders Fields byGuelph-born doctor, soldier and poetJohn McCrae.The exhibition space at McCrae

House National Historic Site wascompletely transformed earlier thisyear, creating a gallery filled withimages, artifacts, stories, and interactiveexperiences that trace McCrae’s life–from his birth in the modest cottage onWater Street, through his formativeyears in Guelph, his studies andmedical work in Toronto and Montreal,his adventures on the Lord Earl Greyexpedition of 1910, and his militaryservice overseas.New museum experiences were

presented at McCrae House, includingthe introduction of backyard theatrewith a new, one-act, original play byDon Macrae, A Night in Flanders.The community embraced the

100th anniversary of the writing of InFlanders Fields, planning their owncommemorative activities–the mostambitious of which was thecommissioning of a John McCraestatue by renowned Canadian sculptor

Ruth Abernethy, which now sits atthe top of the hill at the Guelph CivicMuseum.Guelph’s local visual arts community

reflected on the impact of In FlandersFields through their own paintings,photographs, textiles, stained glass,ceramics and jewelry. Remembering InFlanders Fields juried art show wastouching and inspiring, and is nowcaptured in a catalogue of the samename.As the commemoration of In Flanders

Fields coincides with Guelph ArtsCouncil’s 40th anniversary celebration,we are reminded of the power of art–inour community and in our world.John McCrae was an accomplishedphysician and a respected soldier. Yet,it is the 15 lines of poetry he wrote inthe midst of the Second Battle of Ypres,during the First World War, thatresonated with the world and that heis best remembered for.Through his words, he shared a

powerful and moving image ofthe battlefield; offered a glimpse of theanguish of war; and inspired amovement of remembrance. So simple,yet powerful, his poem, that onehundred years later, across Canadaand around the world, it is recited inremembrance, still evoking anemotional response.That is the power of art. And,

that is how one artist from Guelphmade a difference in the world.

TammyAdkin,Manager, Guelph Museums

Time to remember the power of art

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Since it opened in 2001, theGuelph Youth Music Centre(GYMC) has been the arts hub ofthe community. The uniquefacility is an exciting culturalfocal point for children of allages and backgrounds in theGuelph/Wellington area.As a non-profit organization,

the GYMC is dedicated toeducation, enrichment andfostering the development ofyouth through music and the arts. The GYMCbelieves every child should have theopportunity to engage in a recreational activityof his or her choice. It’s hard to visit the Centreand not be inspired by the sound of music orenchanted by visual arts, drama or danceflowing throughout its halls.Through a variety of programs, provision of

space to partner organizations and outreachinto the community, the GYMC enriches manylives every day. The Centre directly benefitsmore than 2,000 children from the communityweekly through various programs, and in 2014more than 12,000 Guelph and area residentswere engaged at the GYMC through variousprograms and events.Some of the programs the Centre offers are:• Do Ri Me - Professional artists visit theclassrooms of kindergarten to grade eightstudents to provide an interactive workshop.The program works to enrich the artscurriculum through a comprehensive musicprogram, allowing students to acquirefundamental music skills and stimulate theiractivity, while providing study guides forteachers.

• High Notes - As a choir for children withspecial needs, this program is designed to

help children, youth and young adults find theirvoice and experience community, friendshipand acceptance through song in a safeand nurturing environment.

• Guelph Youth Symphony Orchestra -Combines the energy of the GYMC and theGuelph Symphony Orchestra to bring ahigh quality of orchestra that aims to enrichthe youth of Guelph and the surroundingcommunities.Other programs include GYMC String

Orchestras, Kid’s Chorus, Medieval Madnessand more. The Centre is also host to manyresident groups for music, arts, dramaand dance.Volunteers are also a vital component of the

GYMC. They literally built the Centre, devotingmore than 20,000 hours of labour over sixyears. Today, volunteers continue to help repairthe building, paint walls, fix lights, assist withspecial events, and much more.We are proudto be an essential part of the Arts Communityin Guelph.”The Guelph Youth Music Centre is the

unequivocal musical heart of Guelph.” TraceyClarke-Rankine, Director, Guelph School of Music.For more information visit www.gymc.ca or

call 519-837-1119.

Making the arts a work of life at the GuelphYouth Music Centre

Photosupplied

by:GuelphYouth

Music

Centre.

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75 Cardigan St., Guelph 519.837.1119gymc.ca

Congratulationson 40 Years of serving

Guelph Arts organizations!

If you love to sing .......Guelph Youth Singers is

holding auditions.Hear us at our winter concert,Snowforms, Dec. 5, 2015,7 p.m., Harcourt Memorial

United Church.

To book an audition call519-821-8574

or visit the GYS website atwww.guelphyouthsingers.com

Over the decades, the Guelph ArtsCouncil (GAC) has been instrumental inthe birth and development of many localarts-related organizations and initiativesthat have enriched our beautiful city.Guelph Youth Singers (GYS–alsoinitially known as Guelph Children’sSingers) is one such organization. GYSwas formed in 1991 as a joint project ofGAC and the Guelph Chamber MusicSociety. Comprised of four mainauditioned choirs and several specializedchoral groups, GYS brings togetherchildren and youth ages six to 19+ for amusical adventure like no other. Nowcelebrating its 25th anniversary, GYSwill host an anniversary concert series toinclude the annual Winter and Springconcerts, with the addition of threeSunday afternoon bonus performances.Under the expert guidance of founder

and long-time artistic director, LindaBeaupre, and now Markus Howard, GYShas more than fulfilled its mandate ofchoral excellence. It has released threeCDs over the years. All GYS choirsperform annually in the Guelph KiwanisFestival, and have won the trophy for theBest Choral Programme every year since1996. They have also distinguishedthemselves at the provincial and nationallevels of the Canadian Federation ofMusic Festivals, winning several provincialand national first prize awards.GYS continues to provide our

community with a special place wherechildren can enjoy singing and grow intheir ability to sing. They can thrive asthey learn together more about music,the arts and culture.

GuelphYouth Singerscelebrates 25 years

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The Downtown Guelph Business Association(DGBA) has a long and proud tradition ofworking with the Guelph Arts Council, and wecongratulate them on this auspiciousanniversary. They are great to work with, andit’s always a pleasure to do so.GAC is an organization with vision and

passion that has always been a strong andsteady voice for the place of Arts in our city.We know that a vibrant Arts community is goodfor Guelph. It’s good for our hearts and minds,and also good for our collective prosperity.Artists make a significant contribution tothe local economy, and many artists,musicians, dancers, and actors ply their tradein Downtown Guelph. So it is vital to theDGBA to do all we can to support the workof the Arts Council, their events and activities,as well as their individual members.Art on the Street, the annual juried art show,

has been the most tangible evidence of thispartnership.We use the strength of eachorganization to put on a first class eventthat thousands flock to each July. Artentrepreneurs, as well as brick-and-mortarshops of all kinds, find that having throngs ofpeople in front of you is the best sort ofmarketing opportunity there is. For someof our businesses it’s among their top salesdays of the year.Downtown property owners have also

partnered with the Arts Council on the HATCHproject–“pop-up” art installations in vacantstorefronts. I love the whimsy, the fun, and theengagement that these works bring to thestreet. They are small but important ways thatwe illustrate how, by working together,business and the arts build a sense of place.This is not new, nor is it unique: every

desirable place on earth has a strongcomponent of culture, and most peoplewant to live and do business in a place that

has strong support for the arts. DowntownGuelph shines in this respect–but we are notresting on our laurels.We are looking to up ourgame, and build our partnership with the ArtsCouncil to bring more soul to the heart ofour city.The first 40 years have been great; here’s to

the next 40 being even better.

MartyWilliams, Executive Director,Downtown Guelph Business Association

The Guelph CreativeArtsAssociationThe Guelph Creative Arts Association (GCAA)was formed in 1948 as an association ofexisting art and craft guilds, writers, potters,painters, weavers, and more.The GCAA mission is to promote all levels of

visual arts in Guelph; provide opportunities forartists to display their work; provide learningopportunities via workshops; participate indeveloping artistic environments; and toencourage amateur and professional artisansin developing their talents. The Guelph ArtsCouncil (GAC) has consistently been a greatresource to GCAA members and theAssociation in pursuing that mission.Longstanding GCAA shows include

“Expressions”, a juried show for memberswhich is held in the fall, and has run since1948. Held in the spring, "Painting on theGreen “ began in 1960 and is open to all levelsof artisans with prizes awarded by a Juror.Both these events have been held in a varietyof venues over the years.In 1970 the first “M’Art in the Mall” was held,

emphasizing crafts, which later became“Made for You”, and most recently has become“Holiday Market” held the - continued on pg 16

GuelphArts Council partners with Downtown Guelph

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Congratulations Guelph Arts Council!

Thank you for being such an integral partof our community for 40 years!

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ten days before Christmas, in Old Quebec St.Shoppes concourse.In 2015 a new show, “Inspired”, will be held

in November at Kloepfer Gallery and is open toall GCAA members.In 1992, The Eaton Centre approached GAC

to offer a storefront space to showcase thework of local artisans. GAC met with GCAAexecutive to take on this project. The result

was Guelph Artisans Store, which is nowlocated in Old Quebec Street Shoppes.Operated by GCAA members, GuelphArtisans continues to actively providelocal artisans an opportunity to displayand sell their works.GCAA has enjoyed a collegial

relationship with GAC for 40 years. GAChas been promoting our events to the

public and artists, providing a valuableresource for all things artisans need, want, ordream of having.We look forward to GAC thriving and

continuing their role as the catalyst for allaspects of Guelph’s cultural well-being foranother 40 years.

Kathy Lawrence, GCAA President 2015

In an era where arts and culture are deemedsecondary or even unnecessary; we arefortunate to live in a city that truly believes andknows differently.Every day, my partner and I are grateful thatGuelph Symphony Orchestra brought us tothis unique and remarkable city.Simon Irving founded the Guelph Symphony

Orchestra in 2001. Now in its 15th season, wehave grown from a chamber ensemble withone concert in its inaugural season, to a55-member orchestra with a wide variety ofprogramming–performing music from Bachto Stravinsky, Mozart to Philip Glass–without-reach activities and social events that takeplace throughout the year. This season, theGSO opens with a Ballet-Opera-SymphonyGala at the acoustically superb River RunCentre, featuring dancers Selene GuerreroTrujillo and Dylan Tedaldi from the NationalBallet of Canada, the up-and-coming operasuperstar Brittany Renee Robinson, and twoaward-winning choirs from University of

Guelph and Laurier University. The orchestracontinues the season with six more concerts,including an anticipated debut at Guelph’sBasilica of Our Lady Immaculate withMozart’s Requiem and a free performance ofSaint-Saën's Carnival of the Animals at theGuelph Civic Museum.The GSO has been able to sustain this rapid

growth and development not only becauseof the dedicated personnel and supporterswithin the organization, but more significantly,because of the desire, the need, and theencouragement from our community.Happy 40th Birthday, Guelph Arts Council–

we owe it to you for leading the way.On behalf of the Guelph Symphony

Orchestra, thank you for consistently playingthis most vital role in our community.We lookforward to celebrating the next milestonebirthday with you!

Judith Yan,Artistic Director,Guelph Symphony Orchestra

15th season for the Guelph Symphony Orchestra

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uelphCreativeArtsAssoc.

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In the fall of 1991, when Otto, Marg andChris Ahlers were contemplating a newcreative business venture, namely an artsupply store, the question of locationnaturally became a big one. While Ottoand Marg were living in Burlington, andChris in Toronto, it was Guelph thatsoon became a serious contender.There was a family connection with

Guelph, as Marg's father, Victor Langton,had graduated from Ontario AgriculturalCollege in 1930, and her sisters from theUniversity of Guelph many years later.Chris had a close friend who transferredfrom Ontario College of Art in Toronto toGuelph to complete his fine art degree.So the trio decided to visit Guelph to geta sense of the vibe of the city, and moreimportantly, its arts scene.After doing some research and conducting

focus groups, it became clear that Guelphwas indeed the place to establishWyndhamArt Supplies. While the fine art program atthe University of Guelph was a vital element,it was a combination of factors that wonthem over. A short list would include: animpressive inventory of heritage architecture,a thriving downtown, wonderful natural

amenities, and a rate of engagement in'creative industries' that is significantlyhigher than the national average.The number of arts groups in the city was

then, and still is, impressive–from informalartists' clubs, to long-standing guilds andassociations, to the many festivals and studiotours that call Guelph home.Enter the Guelph Arts Council (GAC).

Wyndham Art Supplies was fortunateenough to be located right across the streetfrom the GAC office on Upper Wyndhamback in 1992, and now, at their 'new'location, just half a block down. Fromthe beginning, Otto, Marg and Chris hadregular contact with Council folk.For our part we have been pleased tosponsor GAC programs, including, mostrecently, Art on the Street and HistoricalWalking Tour booklets. Both WyndhamArt Supplies and GAC have been, andwill continue to be, dedicated toserving Guelph’s creative community.We congratulate GAC on their 40thanniversary and look forward to workingtogether for many years to come.

-supplied byWyndhamArt Supplies

WyndhamArt Supplies–serving Guelph’s creative community

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We are delighted and proud that theJane Graham Memorial Awardremains alive and well a decade afterJane’s death. Too often such awardsbecome dormant after some years asenthusiasm wanes even though fundsmay still exist. The ongoing success ofJane’s award is predominantly due tothe leadership we have received fromthe Guelph Arts Council, the excellentselection committee, and theenthusiasm of the arts community.Each year one member of our familyhas participated in the selectioncommittee, and meeting the recipients hasbeen a wonderful, rewarding experience-inseveral cases leading to long-term friendships.We realize that the amount of the award issomewhat modest, but each of the recipientshas pointed out that the most importantaspect is that it is a recognition of their abilityand their desire to explore new aspects oftheir artistry.When the award was instituted, we were

somewhat naïve regarding the scope of whatfine art entailed.We have been impressed thatthe applicants have included potters,blacksmiths, bead workers, and mixed-mediaartists, alongside painters; it appears thedefinition of fine art is infinite. It has been apleasure to interact with the artists, observethe wide uses they have made of the award,and subsequently to follow their careers asthey continue to strive to take their work to thenext level. In every case, the artists have beenthe type of person that Jane would haverespected and appreciated; she would havebeen pleased to see these individualsrecognized and would have been delightedwith their successes.We want to thank all of those whose

donations contributed to establishing the trust

fund for the award.We are indebted to theGuelph Arts Council and The GuelphCommunity Foundation for their enthusiasticand professional management of the awardand to those who have served on the selectioncommittee.We look forward to continuing tosee the Jane Graham Memorial Award prosperfor years to come.

"Even just applyingfor an Award helpsartists to definetheir ideas. They askthemselves, whatwould I do if therewere a bit moreflexibility here, more time and resources?Receiving this Award sent me manymessages: this will happen, there is acommunity here encouraging you, anidea path is worth following. It’s a greatprocess and you can’t possibly predict itsdomino effect."

Meredith Blackmore, Jane GrahamMemorial Arts Award Recipient, 2009

The Jane GrahamMemorial Award: family reflections“AprilWindow”by

Jane

Graham

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“LikeSisters”

byMeredith

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ore.

Looking back over the 40 years that encompassthe history of Guelph Arts Council (GAC), I hope itgoes without saying that Guelph’s cultural life hasblossomed and indeed grown exponentiallyduring this time period.From my perspective as one who has been

involved in GAC for most of its history, whatstands out is the number of organizations andprojects that GAC has helped get off theground.When I tried to come up with a list, I lostcount but figure that there was an average of atleast one a year for each of the 40 years.I won’t even try to list all of the organizations

and projects that GAC helped seed in one way oranother. I can say that they cover a broad cross-section of the local arts and cultural scene.Perhaps mention of a few will remind Guelphitesof just how involved GAC has been over the past40 years. GAC’s role was to assist in getting anorganization or project started, but to then stepback and let community members take overfor the longer term.As a result, GAC’s catalyticrole has often got lost in the mists of time!How many people today know that River Run

Centre started as GAC’s Civic Centre Committee?In fact, that was one of GAC’s founding objectives,and later included administrative support forthe citizens’ committee which, among othertasks, co-ordinated the fundraising campaignhat eventually led to the opening of River Runin 1997.Or who remembers that Guelph Youth Singers

was a joint project of GAC and Guelph ChamberChoir, starting back in the early 1990s, leading towhat is now a nationally-acclaimed youth choir?And, earlier still, that GAC assisted in theestablishment of Guelph Chamber Choir andRoyal City Musical Productions?There is also Guelph Tourism Services, which

has been part of the City of Guelph since 1996,but got its start in the late 1980s as GuelphTourism Connection.

GAC similarly took the lead for the City’sMillennium project in 1999-2000. The resultwas the installation of John McEwen’sMillennium Time Sculpture on the banks ofthe Speed River adjacent to River Run Centre.In 2007, GAC partnered with the City and the

University in the Shakespeare–Made in CanadaFestival. Other key partnerships have resultedin such varied community ventures as GuelphStudio Tour, Guelph Artisans, GuelphContemporary Dance Festival (now GuelphDance), Doors Open Guelph, Spark ofBrilliance, Art on the Street, Focus on Natureand many, many others.What better tribute to 40th-year celebrations

than to recognize the wide-ranging culturaldevelopment role–largely unsung–that GAChas played, and to acknowledge that.

SallyWismer

19

Guelph Arts Council’s role in cultural development

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In the 1960s, downtown Guelph was falling to thedemands for modernism and “progress”, as theimpressive grandeur of St. George’s Square’slimestone buildings fell into rubble and werereplaced by ugly concrete boxes. A local real estateagent summed up the mood, “let’s face up to harshrealities. Old buildings stand in the way of progress.”The demolition of beloved buildings like the

Customs House, Central School and the oldGuelph Collegiate shocked the city. Suchwidespread destruction seemed to awaken a newattitude that recognized that the precious treasuresof the past were disappearing. When the dome ofthe Carnegie Library crashed under the wreckingball in 1966, Guelph citizens raged and wept.They found a voice for their concerns in the work

of Gordon Couling, an artist and professor of FineArts at the newly formed University of Guelph. Amural painter and stained glass designer, he becamepassionate about capturing Guelph’s fine stonebuildings in art and photography. He gaveillustrated lectures about Guelph’s heritage to manycity groups both in the city and across Ontario. Heled bus and walking tours to raise awareness of theimportance of the old stone architecture. In 1977,to celebrate Guelph’s 150th birthday, the GuelphArts Council commissioned him to research andconduct walking tours of historic Guelph.In honour of Gordon Couling (who died in

1984), those first two tours, Where Guelph Beganand Downtown Walkabout were revived in 1985to 1987 and led by Terry Crowley. Over theintervening years, four more tours have beendeveloped:• Slopes of the Speed, 1990, written by Florence

Partridge, illustrated by Ida Seto• Altar and Hearth in Victorian Guelph, 1994,

written by Florence Partridge, illustrated byIda Seto (now divided into upper and lowersections)

• Brooklyn and the College Hill, 1998, written byFlorence Partridge, illustrated by AndyMcLennan

• Ward OneGuelph,2010,written byTerryCrowley,illustrated by Robin Baird Lewis.Every Sunday from April to October devoted

tour guides offer the tours, attracting an averageof 400 to 500 people per year, both visitors toGuelph and new and long-time residents.Some tour guides love pointing out the details

of architecture and the facts of the city’s history;some love to tell the romantic, comic and tragicstories of our buildings, people and heritage. Fortwo hours, participants learn about our beautifulcity–awareness that helps advocacy when ourheritage is threatened by ignorance or greed.For the past thirty-eight years, passionate guides

have shared the stories that matter to Guelph’sunique sense of place and help to save ourbuildings and landscapes from becoming only aplaque on a pile of stones.

Susan Ratcliffe,Historical Tour Guide, Guelph Arts Council

Kazoo! FestKazoo! is a Guelph-based artist-run organizationmade up of musicians, visual artists, andcommunity organizers with a strong interest inshowcasing innovative newmusic and art as a way tostrengthen communities and bring people together.Since 2006 the Kazoo! music series has hosted

over two hundred shows and has been influential indebuting some of the best new independent musicin Canada as well as showcasing local musicians.Kazoo! Fest takes place April 6 to10 2016.

Programming includes music, visual art, literaryevents, multimedia performances, and more.kazookazoo.ca

Footsteps through history–raising awareness of ourcommunity stories

If you are looking to experience a wide variety of artists, all at one event, Guelphhas a great selection of festivals and shows running throughout the year.

Jane’sWalkinGu

elph.Photoby

AnnieO’Do

noghue,suppliedbytheGu

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CivicLeague.

Art on the StreetArt on the Street is an annual art sale andexhibition that takes place in Downtown Guelph.Organized jointly by Downtown Guelph BusinessAssociation and Guelph Arts Council, this eventtakes place annually on the second weekend of Julyand features more than 100 artists fromGuelphand the surrounding area.As a juried show, artists from across Ontario

submit applications to be reviewed by an expertpanel of practicing artists. Artists working in avariety of media are selected and are invited topresent their work as part of the day.With over 5,000 attendees coming to Guelph to

connect with Art on the Street, it is a great eventthat really speaks to Guelph’s love and support forthe arts. downtownguelph.com

The Potters’MarketThe only outdoor market of its kind in Ontario,the Potters’ Market features the work of pottersfrom across Ontario. This two-day weekend event isheld in late May and is located at the limestoneruins of the historic Goldie Mill, on the SpeedRiver in Downtown Guelph.Visitors have a great choice of unique,

handcrafted pieces in a wide range of styles,materials and techniques. thepottersmarket.ca

Guelph Jazz FestivalThe Guelph Jazz Festival was founded in 1994 by asmall group of friends who shared a love of jazz anda commitment to the community of Guelph.The festival is held every September at various

locations throughout the city, with a mainstage tentdowntown. The Festival has consistently garneredhigh praise from international jazz critics forpresenting the most compelling and innovativeaccomplishments in jazz. guelphjazzfestival.com

HillsideThe Hillside Festival is a three-day, five-stage eventwith a broad artistic vision that emphasizes diversity 21

Build YourAudience

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posteringHundreds of prime locations

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www.PosterPosters.ca519-654-0410

of culture, musical heritage and style, age,geography and influence. Hillside takes place everyJuly on Guelph Lake Island. Performers range fromwell-seasoned professionals to passionatenewcomers. Previous line-ups have embracedstyles and influences such as indie,rock, folk, hip hop, blues, jazz, world, electronic,and reggae.

Every year the island comes alive withmusic,workshops, artisans, food vendors, and spoken wordand hand drumming performers. hillsidefestival.ca

Guelph MusicfestWith a series of concerts running over severalweeks in May and June, Musicfest showcaseshigh quality chamber music performers, manyof whom have graced stages around the world.Performances are held at the Guelph Youth

Music Centre in Recital Hall, which offers someof the finest acoustics in the region. Built of stoneand wood, it was designed to especially showcasechamber music. guelphmusicfest.ca

Guelph Film FestivalThe Guelph Film Festival screens outstandingdocumentaries addressing local and internationalissues. The programming focuses on social justice,the environment and our community.The festival includes global documentaries, short

videos, visiting directors, panel discussions andprogramming for children. guelphfilmfestival.ca

Guelph Fringe FestivalWith a long history of theatre and performanceart, Guelph welcomed the first Guelph FringeFestival in the fall of 2015.This cutting edge performance festival is a

celebration of arts, performance and connectingartists with their audience. guelphfringe.weebly.com

Eden Mills Writers’FestivalThe tiny village of EdenMills is the story-booksetting for devoted readers to experience the joy ofbeing read to by new and familiar authors, and tobe inspired by new ideas and perspectives. Foundedin 1989, thousands attend the EdenMills Writers’Festival, which has become a nationally acclaimedand widely respected literary event.Readings are heard from adult authors, young

adult, and children’s authors. The Festival alsofeatures Publishers’ Way, where publishers, book-sellers, magazine producers, and non-profit groupsshowcase their wares. Live music entertains betweenreading sets and refreshments can be enjoyed in thetented food court. edenmillswritersfestival.ca

With fond childhood memories of visitinga blacksmith shop at a local pioneermuseum, Graeme Sheffield decided toteach himself blacksmithing as a creativeway to relieve stress from his job. Twoyears later, as a new member of theGuelph Studio Tour, he applied forthe Jane Graham Award.“I’m very glad to have been awarded the

Jane Graham Award when I did. It gaveme the boost I needed to launch me inthe direction I wanted to go as an artist.Ten years later, I run a successful artisanblacksmithingbusiness full time.My passion forthe art remainsstrong. It definesme.”

Graeme Sheffield,Blacksmith

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Celticscrolls

byGraemeSheffield.

Creating Unique and Inspiring Restaurants

Downtown Guelphmiijidaa.ca |

let’s Eat!

Downtown Guelphwoolwicharrow.ca