Meander through museums, thrill to theatre,partake in poetry, meet your Manitoulin Muse
EDITOR’S NOTE: This year’s series of stories is geared to giving tourist visitors insights into activities Manitoulin has to offer and will focus on unique experiences available to everyone.
by Isobel Harry
The sheer width and breadth of Manitoulin, often met with incredulity by visitors, is matched by its diverse and exhilarating artistic and cultural scene, from the time-honoured singing and dancing in the powwows of this Island’s First Nations to classical and current manifestations of every conceivable art form.
Starting with this weekend’s three-day Manitoulin Art Tour (see the ad and the article in this newspaper for all the details), it is possible here to be immersed in imaginative expression for days and weeks without end, year-round. The Island of the Great Spirit seems to infuse artists with an elemental inspiration that is distilled into an undeniable creative force. All of Manitoulin’s art galleries are part of this tour so this is a useful reference to them and their location for this weekend and as a useful general reference.
From the distinct representations of First Nations’ creators captured in a wide range of media from traditional to contemporary, to the museums, studios, stages, galleries and community creative spaces that fill the Island, there is an energy, a momentum that can only be called unstoppable.
The evidence of this vigour was brought home at LAMBAC’s Cultural Symposium in Little Current last fall: the arts and culture sector on the Island is more concentrated and growing faster than in the rest of Ontario.
From palettes, looms, cameras, pens, carving knives, needles, pottery wheels and kilns, from computers that generate digital images, sounds, and the words that fill memoirs, histories and books of poetry and prose, emerge the artworks that convey meaning and impart beauty to our everyday interactions with the world.
Throughout the summer, slake your thirst for culture, art and history by visiting Manitoulin’s several museums and cultural institutions, attending readings and thrilling to musical concerts, film, dance and theatre. Learn new skills or hone your practice in the many creative workshops and classes. Meet Manitoulin’s artists, craftspersons and historical interpreters and be inspired by their countless inventive contributions to this Island’s astonishing creative scene. Then, you too may begin to inhabit that dynamic space of the imagination that Island artists call home.
Museums, Libraries, Institutions
These listings highlight artistic and cultural happenings. Most of the museums are in historical buildings of architectural importance, worthy of note in themselves; some have early pioneer structures on their grounds, with original furnishings intact. In others, fossil and early tool collections give a thought-provoking glimpse into prehistory. In still others, baskets intricately woven by the Island’s first inhabitants stand as testimonials to a vital, resilient culture of immense significance.
Little Schoolhouse and Museum: History of Tehkummah Township and a pioneer schoolroom. In South Baymouth, 10 am to 4 pm daily, call to confirm: Tel: 705-859-3663; www.manitoulin-island.com/museums/little_schoolhouse.htm.
Centennial Museum of Sheguiandah: The gallery hosts the Bonnie Blink land use history project until July 23; Heritage Alive, exhibition of Island artists, July 31-August 30. Open 9 am to 4:30 pm daily, until 8 pm on Thursdays. Tel: 705-368-2367; www.manitoulin-island.com/museums/centennial_museum.html
Assiginack Museum, Manitowaning: Manitoulin’s oldest museum, in a former jail built in 1870. Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. Community Heritage Market, crafts, music, produce, Fridays, 10 am to 1 pm, in association with Debajehmujig Storytellers. Tel: 705-859-3905; www.manitoulin-island.com/museums/assiginack_complex.htm
Assiginack Public Library: 75th Anniversary Celebration, Tuesday, July 22, 7 pm with cake and refreshments, in Manitowaning.
Debajehmujig Creation Centre, 43 Queen St., Manitowaning. Multi-purpose facility for performance and art, open daily 10 am to 4 pm Gallery: exhibition by LauraLee K. Harris, “earthrebirth, the Seven Fires Prophecy” until August 21. Holy Cross Mission Ruins, Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve: Digging Roots, blues, hip-hop, reggae, August 2. Upcoming: Compaigni V’ni Dansi’s Louis Riel Métis Dancers perform ‘Métis Kitchen Party’ in Manitowaning and Wikwemikong. New: tours of facilities and gallery. More information: Tel: (705) 859-1820; www.debaj.ca.
Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands (NEMI) Public Library, 50 Meredith Street West, Little Current. Gallery: Summer Art Show and Sale, July and August, featuring Madonna Aeschlimann, James Simon Mishibinijima, Kathy Dolan, Detlef Heiser, Gail Meehan, Lamar Hyatt. Art for Seniors classes, free. For classes and library hours: Tel: 705-368-2444; email: nemilib@vianet.on.ca; www.townofnemi.on.ca/library-0.
Central Manitoulin Pioneer Museum: Treasure Van Treasures, about Ethel Mulvaney, a former Manitoulin teacher who wrote the Prisoner of War Cookbook, on sale at the museum. On Hwy 542 in Mindemoya, open daily from 1 to 4 pm Tel: 705-377-4383; www.centralmanitoulin.ca/tourism-manitoulin/pioneer-museum-manitoulin.
Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, corner of Highways 551 & 540, M’Chigeeng: Dedicated to the expression of Anishinaabe culture in all forms. Exhibitions: Steven John, until July 22; Josh Peltier and Summer Garcia, July 23-August 20; Chris Bebonang and Mike Cywink, August 1-29. Open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 4:30 pm Tel: 705-377-4902; email: info@ojibweculture.ca; www.ojibweculture.ca.
Lillian’s Crafts and Museum: Permanent collection of rare woven baskets and quill boxes. Featured artists: Leland Bell and Stanley Panamick. On Hwy 540 at the crossroads of Hwy 542 in M’Chigeeng. Tel: 705-377-4987; email: sunshine@amtelecom.net
Old Mill Heritage Centre Museum, Kagawong: Multi-media resource centre that explores life in Billings Township, open 10 am to 4 pm daily in July & August. Tel: 705-282-1442; www.kagawongmuseum.ca. The second storey houses Edwards Studios & Fine Art Gallery, original works of art in many media. Tel: 705-282-1919; www.edwardsartstudios.com.
Gore Bay Museum, 12 Dawson Street: Historical artifacts in the former ‘lock-up’. Tuesday to Saturday 10 am to 4 pm, Sunday 2-4 p.m. Gallery exhibition: Christy Best-Pearson and Ursula Hettmann, until end September. Concert: The Silver Birch Quartet (strings), Saturday, August 23, 7 pm $20. Tel: 705-282-2040; www.gorebay.ca.
Gore Bay Harbour Centre, 40 Water Street: Three floors of art studios, gift shops and the William Purvis Marine Museum. Tuesday to Sunday 11 am to 5 pm. Some studios by appointment.
Exhibition: Jack Whyte, Acrylic, and Lynda Noe, Fibre, July 18 until September 22. Tuesday to Sunday 12 pm to 5 pm.
Special event: The New Moon Festival: 1) Jazz Evening, Saturday, July 26 from 8 pm to midnight. Listen to music from chairs throughout the Harbour Centre and visit studios and the Marine Museum, $20. 2) Poetry Reading, Sunday, July 27 from 1 pm to 4 pm presented by the Manitoulin Writers’ Circle and the Gore Bay Museum, $5. Featuring Roger Nash, inaugural poet laureate of Sudbury, Thomas Leduc, Sudbury’s current poet laureate, and Manitoulin writers Ron Berti, Fay Becks and Margo Little. Delicious food at both events. For tickets, tel: 705-282-2040; www.facebook.com/harbourcentre.
Net Shed Museum, Meldrum Bay: Historical building formerly used by fishermen to repair nets; boating and fishing history of the area; many settler artifacts. Open daily except Mondays, 12-4 pm and 7-9 pm meldrumbaymarina.ca/netshed/index.html. The Artisans’ Loft in the Meldrum Bay Country Store exhibits photos by Peter Baumgarten, pottery by Antje and watercolours by Stephen Binkowski. Open daily. Tel: 705-283-9999; www.facebook.com/pages/Meldrum-Bay-Country-Store.
Classes and Workshops
Landscape painting and drawing with Richard Edwards A.O.C.A. La Cloche Country Art School, Whitefish Falls, July 21-25. $40/day, $175/wk. Contact Ellen Lewis, tel: 519-376-8606 or 705-859-3104; email: g.lewis@bmts.com
Craft Workshops at the Ojibwe Cultural Foundation, M’Chigeeng: Flute Making with Julian Nahwegahbow, July 15-19; Drum Making with G’Mewin Migwans and Craig Fox, July 22-25; Murals with Mike Cywink, July 29-August 2; Art Transfer with Anong Beam, August 1. For information on cost and times: Tel: 705-377-4902; www.ojibweculture.ca
Three-day Summer Art Workshops open to all levels at the Spring Bay Community Centre, 9:30 am to 3:30 pm July 18-20, Cathy Boyd, oil and acrylic painting; July 25-27, Guinevere Joy, photography and digital darkroom; August 22-24, Christie Best-Pearson, painting composition and design; September 5-7, Barry Bowerman, landscapes; September 12-14, Linda Finn, mixed media. Cost $160 +HST. Contact Shannon, Perivale Gallery, tel: 705-377-4847 or 705-377-4874; www.perivalegallery.com/news-and-events/
Watercolour Monoprint Workshop with visiting artist Joyce Young, AOCAD: wander the Kagawong River and beach for found objects to print with watercolours (no solvents). 4elements Studio, 91 Main St., Kagawong, Monday, July 28 to Wednesday, July 30, 9 am to 12 pm. Workshop $80, materials $25. Tel: 705-282-0444; email: info@4elementslivingarts.org; www.4elementslivingarts.org
Theatre, film, music and more
Gore Bay Theatre presents two evenings of theatre at 7:30 pm (each evening has four one-act plays): “Love and Laughter” (July 19, 24, 25, Aug 1) and “Dreams and Duets” (July 17, 18, 26, 31, Aug 2) at the Gore Bay Community Hall, Meredith Street. Tickets at the Town Office behind the Community Hall, open 8:30 am to 4:30 pm Monday to Friday. $15 advance, $18 at the door. Tel: 705-282-2420 ext 3.
Blue Jay Creek Art Farm screens ‘The Wisdom Tree’. Film and Q & A with writer/director Sunil Shah, Tuesday July 29, 7:30 pm, rain or shine. 379 Hwy 542, across from the Garden’s Gate Restaurant in Tehkummah. Pay What You Can ($5-$15 suggested). Bring your own chairs, some available. Tickets: Boo Watson, tel: 705-859-3234; boowatson@amtelecom.net; www.thewisdomtreefilm.com
Cafe In The Woods: music by the Short Films, “a grand musical adventure”, 8 pm Saturday, July 19. On Hwy 540 just west of Little Current. Tickets $20. Kerrene Tilson, tel: 705-368-2193 or 705-368-2744. www.theshortfilms.com
Maja’s Gourmet Garden Gigs, Mindemoya: Supper and live entertainment in beautiful garden setting. Amanda Davids, July 16; Jamie Dupuis, July 23; Tanya Lipscomb, July 30. 6 pm. Information and tickets: Tel: 705-377-4471; www.majas.ca
Kagawong Summer Fest, Saturday, July 19, free:
Word in the Park, storytelling by local authors: Paula Mallea, Linda Willson, Pam McLaughlin, Chuc Willson, Vincente Belenson, Bonnie Kogos, Ann Elizabeth Carson, Kate Thompson, Jan McQuay and Marion Seabrook. 9 am to 4 pm.
Boardwalk Art Walk, set up a table to showcase your art work at no cost. 10 am to 2 pm.
Face-painting for kids at Art Supply World, all day. 169 Main St. Kagawong
For information: www.facebook.com/kagawong1
This list is far from exhaustive. Check these websites for more information and ongoing updates:
2014 powwow schedule and other listings: thisismanitoulin.ca/pow-wow-schedule.
Manitoulin’s cultural website: manitoulinculture.ca.
Pick up your summer guides, This is Manitoulin and Manitoulin’s Magazine 2014, everywhere, and the weekly Manitoulin Expositor and Manitoulin West Recorder for news and latest events. The Expositor’s bookstore in Little Current specializes in Manitoulin Island authors and topics. Tel: 705-368-2744; www.manitoulin.ca
