Author Archives: annie
Public Energy’s Emergency #20
Here’s the ever-bemused Bill Kimball in a jacket trimmed with curly fur and a red silk kerchief onstage at Market Hall like the ringmaster of a circus, which in many ways he is. Tonight he is introducing the first performance
Public Energy’s Emergency #20
Here’s the ever-bemused Bill Kimball in a jacket trimmed with curly fur and a red silk kerchief onstage at Market Hall like the ringmaster of a circus, which in many ways he is. Tonight he is introducing the first performance
Brian Nichols: artist as witness
Brian Nichols is one of those people whose creativity spills out of every particle of his being. He exudes passion and compassion in equal measure. I first saw his work on the lawn of his house in East City at
Brian Nichols: artist as witness
Brian Nichols is one of those people whose creativity spills out of every particle of his being. He exudes passion and compassion in equal measure. I first saw his work on the lawn of his house in East City at
The world is my canvas
As an artist, I’ve considered many things to be a canvas or blank page – a wall, a stage, an old house in need of renovation, a garden, a community, a philosophy, an ideology. One of my jobs as an
The world is my canvas
As an artist, I’ve considered many things to be a canvas or blank page – a wall, a stage, an old house in need of renovation, a garden, a community, a philosophy, an ideology. One of my jobs as an
Curtis Driedger’s Mandolin Society
Don’t let Curtis Driedger fool you. He comes across as modest, folksy and a little comical but the man is a musical genius. He started the Mandolin Society of Peterborough in 2003 and this week it celebrates its 10th anniversary
Curtis Driedger’s Mandolin Society
Don’t let Curtis Driedger fool you. He comes across as modest, folksy and a little comical but the man is a musical genius. He started the Mandolin Society of Peterborough in 2003 and this week it celebrates its 10th anniversary
Madmen on the Otonabee
Trent University business student Richard Love is curator of an exciting legacy project for his final year entitled Madmen on the Otonabee. Last year I wrote about Ron Thom’s contribution to Peterborough’s architectural landscape and for the first time, Love
Madmen on the Otonabee
Trent University business student Richard Love is curator of an exciting legacy project for his final year entitled Madmen on the Otonabee. Last year I wrote about Ron Thom’s contribution to Peterborough’s architectural landscape and for the first time, Love
Joe Davies, The Queen of Biafra and other tales
Joe Davies and I go back a way to the days of the BamBoo Club on Toronto’s Queen Street West. Restaurants are one of the few economies that tolerate the unconventional nature of artists, if meagerly, and I suspect if
Joe Davies, The Queen of Biafra and other tales
Joe Davies and I go back a way to the days of the BamBoo Club on Toronto’s Queen Street West. Restaurants are one of the few economies that tolerate the unconventional nature of artists, if meagerly, and I suspect if
Tuesday afternoon painting with John
There are times when I think you can learn everything about visual art from painting. They say you have to learn to draw before you can paint, but I’m not sure it’s true. It may in fact be the other
Tuesday afternoon painting with John
There are times when I think you can learn everything about visual art from painting. They say you have to learn to draw before you can paint, but I’m not sure it’s true. It may in fact be the other
Union Reunion
Once in a blue moon, a place becomes a magnet for artists and creative activity and galvanizes a community with remarkable spinoffs – think of Lapin Agile in Paris, The Riverboat Coffeehouse in Toronto, The Cedar Tavern in New York City.
Union Reunion
Once in a blue moon, a place becomes a magnet for artists and creative activity and galvanizes a community with remarkable spinoffs – think of Lapin Agile in Paris, The Riverboat Coffeehouse in Toronto, The Cedar Tavern in New York City.
Thick Description
Books have a habit of leaping out at me when I visit the library and the most recent is Prairyerth by William Least Heat-Moon, first published in 1991, which prismatically explores Chase County in Kansas, the heartland of America. I
Thick Description
Books have a habit of leaping out at me when I visit the library and the most recent is Prairyerth by William Least Heat-Moon, first published in 1991, which prismatically explores Chase County in Kansas, the heartland of America. I
The Burgess Shale CD release
They played a fine, rollicking set at the 2012 Peterborough Folk Festival and it was standing room only at the Spill and the Garnet for their performances of Eight Days Lost – The Tom Thompson Multimedia Project last year during
The Burgess Shale CD release
They played a fine, rollicking set at the 2012 Peterborough Folk Festival and it was standing room only at the Spill and the Garnet for their performances of Eight Days Lost – The Tom Thompson Multimedia Project last year during
ReFrame / Still ReFrame
I can’t say enough about the annual ReFrame Film Festival’s unflinching programming and dedication to engaging voices that would otherwise go unheard. The 63 films of 2013′s fierce collection address issues that range from local to global, from intimate to universal,
ReFrame / Still ReFrame
I can’t say enough about the annual ReFrame Film Festival’s unflinching programming and dedication to engaging voices that would otherwise go unheard. The 63 films of 2013′s fierce collection address issues that range from local to global, from intimate to universal,
R. Murray Schafer
In 1983 I was lucky enough to be given tickets to a performance of RA by R. Murray Schafer. It was an all night affair that took place at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto from sundown to sunrise the following
R. Murray Schafer
In 1983 I was lucky enough to be given tickets to a performance of RA by R. Murray Schafer. It was an all night affair that took place at the Ontario Science Centre in Toronto from sundown to sunrise the following
On passion
My soundtrack for the season has been Khachaturian’s Waltz from the Masquerade Suite. I don’t know where I first became acquainted with this piece from the 20th century Soviet-Armenian composer – possibly in the womb. I’m one of those people
On passion
My soundtrack for the season has been Khachaturian’s Waltz from the Masquerade Suite. I don’t know where I first became acquainted with this piece from the 20th century Soviet-Armenian composer – possibly in the womb. I’m one of those people
The other faces of literacy
I remember the exact moment when I learned to read. It was in Mrs. Richardson’s grade 1 class and yes, the book was Dick and Jane. The penny dropped and my brain made the connection between the marks on the
The other faces of literacy
I remember the exact moment when I learned to read. It was in Mrs. Richardson’s grade 1 class and yes, the book was Dick and Jane. The penny dropped and my brain made the connection between the marks on the
Collective Vision —The Fine Art of Health
It’s not the most likely place you’d expect to find an exhibition. On the lower level of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre is an installation of artwork from local artists whose lives have been impacted by mental illness. Local artist Wendy
Collective Vision —The Fine Art of Health
It’s not the most likely place you’d expect to find an exhibition. On the lower level of the Peterborough Regional Health Centre is an installation of artwork from local artists whose lives have been impacted by mental illness. Local artist Wendy
The Kawartha Potters’ Guild
The Kawartha Potters’ Guild was kind enough to give me tour of their new space recently and I was mighty impressed. A beautiful 4000 sq. ft. area with enormous ceilings and tons of light, it once housed a swimming pool.
The Kawartha Potters’ Guild
The Kawartha Potters’ Guild was kind enough to give me tour of their new space recently and I was mighty impressed. A beautiful 4000 sq. ft. area with enormous ceilings and tons of light, it once housed a swimming pool.
Blue Gum Design
I can’t say enough about the value of good design in our daily lives. And I’m not one of those who would draw a line in the sand between fine art and design. Good design guides us effortlessly through our
Blue Gum Design
I can’t say enough about the value of good design in our daily lives. And I’m not one of those who would draw a line in the sand between fine art and design. Good design guides us effortlessly through our
ARTSPACE | Media Lab
Technology has empowered regular folks like me to do extraordinary things. For those of us who actually remember what life was like B.C. that is, Before Computers, the ability to record and mix your own multi-track album, digitally shoot and
ARTSPACE | Media Lab
Technology has empowered regular folks like me to do extraordinary things. For those of us who actually remember what life was like B.C. that is, Before Computers, the ability to record and mix your own multi-track album, digitally shoot and
The Secrets of the Storytellers
When most people think of storytelling, they usually think of children. But storytelling is an art form as old as mankind. And we’re all storytellers, young and old. A story can be about anything – an event personal or worldly, real
The Secrets of the Storytellers
When most people think of storytelling, they usually think of children. But storytelling is an art form as old as mankind. And we’re all storytellers, young and old. A story can be about anything – an event personal or worldly, real
The dilemma
I read somewhere that artists are born with incredibly good taste and they spend their lives trying to realize the ideas in their head. Whenever I see, hear or experience some creative work that stands out for me, I feel
The dilemma
I read somewhere that artists are born with incredibly good taste and they spend their lives trying to realize the ideas in their head. Whenever I see, hear or experience some creative work that stands out for me, I feel
Gallery in the Attic
Elizabeth Fennell has a knack for turning nothing into something. She is a wizard at creating galleries in unusual spaces – in a house, in a truck, and now in an attic – the iconic Roy Studio on the 3rd
Gallery in the Attic
Elizabeth Fennell has a knack for turning nothing into something. She is a wizard at creating galleries in unusual spaces – in a house, in a truck, and now in an attic – the iconic Roy Studio on the 3rd
Mary Anne Barkhouse’s Reins of Chaos
State of the Arts blogger Victoria Ward interviews Mary Anne Barkhouse Reins of Chaos – The Final Frontier Agnes Jamieson Gallery - September 12-November 3, 2012 “When I first met Mary Anne Barkhouse I had a realization that I was meeting a bona
Mary Anne Barkhouse’s Reins of Chaos
State of the Arts blogger Victoria Ward interviews Mary Anne Barkhouse Reins of Chaos – The Final Frontier Agnes Jamieson Gallery - September 12-November 3, 2012 “When I first met Mary Anne Barkhouse I had a realization that I was meeting a bona
Triple Threat
I first met Colin MacAdam at a dinner party. He made an impression on me by singing acapella and from memory every verse of Stan Roger’s ballad Barrett’s Privateer, the chorus of which I will never forget:
Triple Threat
I first met Colin MacAdam at a dinner party. He made an impression on me by singing acapella and from memory every verse of Stan Roger’s ballad Barrett’s Privateer, the chorus of which I will never forget:
Ron Thom’s modernist vision for Trent University
Whenever I visit Trent University, the architecture takes me to another place and time. It was the 60′s, a time which, despite its conflicts, was brimming with a futuristic optimism. Drab, conservative Canada was suddenly heady with an explosion of
Ron Thom’s modernist vision for Trent University
Whenever I visit Trent University, the architecture takes me to another place and time. It was the 60′s, a time which, despite its conflicts, was brimming with a futuristic optimism. Drab, conservative Canada was suddenly heady with an explosion of
The Peterborough Folk Festival
It’s hard to believe that the folk festival genre hasn’t really been around all that long. Today you can enjoy a summer folk festival in every part of the world from Newport to Reykjavik. One of the longer running folk
The Peterborough Folk Festival
It’s hard to believe that the folk festival genre hasn’t really been around all that long. Today you can enjoy a summer folk festival in every part of the world from Newport to Reykjavik. One of the longer running folk
The Art of Education
Most of the artists I know suffered terribly in the public school system. In kindergarten I clearly remember being put in the corner for getting carried away with a participatory music exercise. Passion for the abstract and emotional power of
The Art of Education
Most of the artists I know suffered terribly in the public school system. In kindergarten I clearly remember being put in the corner for getting carried away with a participatory music exercise. Passion for the abstract and emotional power of
The Highlands Sustainable Word Festival
Minden Hills Cultural Centre, August 6, 2012 Review by contributor Victoria Ward, Hotspur Studio Thankfully the suffocating heat had broken by the Monday of the long weekend making the Sustainable Word Fest which took place outdoors very comfortable. The Cultural
The Highlands Sustainable Word Festival
Minden Hills Cultural Centre, August 6, 2012 Review by contributor Victoria Ward, Hotspur Studio Thankfully the suffocating heat had broken by the Monday of the long weekend making the Sustainable Word Fest which took place outdoors very comfortable. The Cultural
Forever Playful: Rod Prouse
State of the Arts blogger Victoria Ward reviews Rod Prouse Pro Tempore Agnes Jamieson Gallery, July 19 – September 1, 2012 “Rod is one of those kinetic artists who moves easily back and forth between painting, sketching, drawing, assembled sculpture
Forever Playful: Rod Prouse
State of the Arts blogger Victoria Ward reviews Rod Prouse Pro Tempore Agnes Jamieson Gallery, July 19 – September 1, 2012 “Rod is one of those kinetic artists who moves easily back and forth between painting, sketching, drawing, assembled sculpture
The Waterway Project
I first truly understood the power of glass as a sculptural medium when I saw a picture of Bancroft artist and Governor General Award winner Kevin Lockau’s sand cast glass work, Behavioural Studies of Tolerance. Glass is a physically challenging medium to
The Waterway Project
I first truly understood the power of glass as a sculptural medium when I saw a picture of Bancroft artist and Governor General Award winner Kevin Lockau’s sand cast glass work, Behavioural Studies of Tolerance. Glass is a physically challenging medium to
Lakefield Literary Festival
Canadian author Margaret Laurence lived in Lakefield for 13 years in a yellow brick house at 8 Regent Street across from St. John the Baptist Anglican Church. Since 1995, the Lakefield Literary Festival has celebrated the work of Margaret Laurence
Lakefield Literary Festival
Canadian author Margaret Laurence lived in Lakefield for 13 years in a yellow brick house at 8 Regent Street across from St. John the Baptist Anglican Church. Since 1995, the Lakefield Literary Festival has celebrated the work of Margaret Laurence
Lakefield Station Bookshop
The sign on the building simply says Books and Fine Prints. Don’t let the dilapidated exterior fool you – Lakefield Station Bookshop is not merely a store, it is an experience not to be missed. Both the restoration of the
Lakefield Station Bookshop
The sign on the building simply says Books and Fine Prints. Don’t let the dilapidated exterior fool you – Lakefield Station Bookshop is not merely a store, it is an experience not to be missed. Both the restoration of the
4th Line Theatre’s 20th Season
It’s an idyllic summer evening as we drive up to the Winslow farm with its weathered barns, rolling hills and clusters of day lilies. The wind ruffles fields of grass, horses graze in the upper pasture, swooping barn swallows and
4th Line Theatre’s 20th Season
It’s an idyllic summer evening as we drive up to the Winslow farm with its weathered barns, rolling hills and clusters of day lilies. The wind ruffles fields of grass, horses graze in the upper pasture, swooping barn swallows and
Fuel – Gary Blundell at Visual Arts Centre of Clarington
I was expecting a show by an accomplished painter, but I wasn’t expecting a meditation on the history of chalk and coal mining in England. Gary Blundell’s striking relief paintings are on exhibition at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington
Fuel – Gary Blundell at Visual Arts Centre of Clarington
I was expecting a show by an accomplished painter, but I wasn’t expecting a meditation on the history of chalk and coal mining in England. Gary Blundell’s striking relief paintings are on exhibition at the Visual Arts Centre of Clarington
jiigbiing: at the edge where the water and the earth meet
I have always identified with native culture. As a kid, when other girls wanted to dress like Barbie, I wanted a jingle dress. So I feel privileged to live here in Nogojiwanong on the banks of a river used for centuries
jiigbiing: at the edge where the water and the earth meet
I have always identified with native culture. As a kid, when other girls wanted to dress like Barbie, I wanted a jingle dress. So I feel privileged to live here in Nogojiwanong on the banks of a river used for centuries
Wayaman with Glenna Matoush
I don’t think I can be the only person in Peterborough who starts to hyperventilate when I see a printing press. There’s one at Artspace from June 15th-24th for a project called Wayaman (from the southern James Bay Cree dialect
Wayaman with Glenna Matoush
I don’t think I can be the only person in Peterborough who starts to hyperventilate when I see a printing press. There’s one at Artspace from June 15th-24th for a project called Wayaman (from the southern James Bay Cree dialect
The PyroFlys – Magic is Alive
How many small towns in Canada can claim to have their very own fire-breathing circus? The PyroFlys have been spinning balls, hoops, staves and fire for about a year now and bringing their skill and magic to events all over
The PyroFlys – Magic is Alive
How many small towns in Canada can claim to have their very own fire-breathing circus? The PyroFlys have been spinning balls, hoops, staves and fire for about a year now and bringing their skill and magic to events all over
A Tale of Two Painters
Recently I came across a painting of some drinking buddies at the Only Cafe posted on Facebook. My hopeless curiosity led me to the blogs of Bill Batten and Rocky Green, two local writers and painters with a profound friendship
A Tale of Two Painters
Recently I came across a painting of some drinking buddies at the Only Cafe posted on Facebook. My hopeless curiosity led me to the blogs of Bill Batten and Rocky Green, two local writers and painters with a profound friendship
Good Art Ruins Everything
Whenever someone tells me that they don’t have any artistic abilities I want to scream. From childhood we draw pictures that make our mothers turn the refrigerator into an ad hoc gallery. We make up original songs in the back
Good Art Ruins Everything
Whenever someone tells me that they don’t have any artistic abilities I want to scream. From childhood we draw pictures that make our mothers turn the refrigerator into an ad hoc gallery. We make up original songs in the back
The Art of Downtown – Part 1
I left a rural home to live in the big city of Toronto when I was just 17. In those days, downtown was the stretch of Bloor St. between Yonge and University. The Colonnade had just been built and it
The Art of Downtown – Part 1
I left a rural home to live in the big city of Toronto when I was just 17. In those days, downtown was the stretch of Bloor St. between Yonge and University. The Colonnade had just been built and it
Review: Mysterious Entity’s Production of Beside Herself
Last night’s final performance of Beside Herself at Market Hall was an experimental, intimate production from Mysterious Entity that makes me glad to live in this small town with so much local talent, because I likely wouldn’t see it anywhere
Review: Mysterious Entity’s Production of Beside Herself
Last night’s final performance of Beside Herself at Market Hall was an experimental, intimate production from Mysterious Entity that makes me glad to live in this small town with so much local talent, because I likely wouldn’t see it anywhere
Bigger and Better – Artspace 50/50
What I love about the Artspace 50/50 annual fundraiser is the chance to see contemporary artwork by Peterborough artists I didn’t know about. Some of these artists show infrequently or out of town, and some are new to the community.
Bigger and Better – Artspace 50/50
What I love about the Artspace 50/50 annual fundraiser is the chance to see contemporary artwork by Peterborough artists I didn’t know about. Some of these artists show infrequently or out of town, and some are new to the community.
Spring rights | The Highlander
Painter and playwright Victoria Ward writes a thoughtful column for the Haliburton Highlander appropriately called State of the Arts. I like some of her thoughts in her recent response to the federal and provincial budget, that “artists have to continue
Spring rights | The Highlander
Painter and playwright Victoria Ward writes a thoughtful column for the Haliburton Highlander appropriately called State of the Arts. I like some of her thoughts in her recent response to the federal and provincial budget, that “artists have to continue
Emergency #19
For information on Public Energy’s 2013 Emergency #20 go here » Public Energy’s showcase of new dance and performance art takes place this weekend at Market Hall March 30th-April 1st and I want to see it all! The spirit of
Emergency #19
For information on Public Energy’s 2013 Emergency #20 go here » Public Energy’s showcase of new dance and performance art takes place this weekend at Market Hall March 30th-April 1st and I want to see it all! The spirit of
The Transitory Art of Street Posters
You walk by them every day and hardly see them, masking tape peeling off, half obscured by next week’s gig and covered with staples – the ubiquitous street poster. Street posters are an art form that is chronically undervalued. The
The Transitory Art of Street Posters
You walk by them every day and hardly see them, masking tape peeling off, half obscured by next week’s gig and covered with staples – the ubiquitous street poster. Street posters are an art form that is chronically undervalued. The
Grotesquerie at the Blue Tomato
“ludicrous or incongruous unnaturalness or distortion” This coming Friday, March 23rd from 8 to 11 pm, The Blue Tomato and Lester Alfonso will be presenting an Architectural Video Mapping event both inside the blue tomato gallery and outside on Hunter
Grotesquerie at the Blue Tomato
“ludicrous or incongruous unnaturalness or distortion” This coming Friday, March 23rd from 8 to 11 pm, The Blue Tomato and Lester Alfonso will be presenting an Architectural Video Mapping event both inside the blue tomato gallery and outside on Hunter
