MANITOULIN—In a taste of what’s to come, the Manitoulin Tourism Association (MTA) is launching its Festival of a Thousand Skills through a festival development weekend this Friday through Sunday.
A change from the Taste of Manitoulin festival, also an initiative of the MTA, the Festival of a Thousand Skills—short, skill-based workshops of all descriptions—was born.
This weekend, there are a number of public sites to go and explore, beginning this Friday, September 26 at the Debajehmujig Creation Centre in Manitowaning where eco industrial skills will be taught; skills that require the use of tools/equipment, welding power supply etc, from 11 am to 2 pm. Also this Friday at Debaj, and just in time for Hallowe’en, check out the ‘Art of Human Abrasion’ workshop from 10 am to 4 pm. “Get gooey with special effects makeup and help prepare wounds, gashes and punctures for use in wilderness emergency first aid training, or for Hallowe’en, from latex to airbrushing!” the blurb states. This program is free, but created wounds are available for purchase.
On Saturday, learn the skills relating to processes for artistic expression at the Harbour Centre in Gore Bay from noon until 4 pm or learn all about the art of making chainmail from Dylon White from noon to 4 pm, an interactive event, also at the Harbour Centre.
On Sunday from 11 am to 1:30 pm at Maja’s Place in Mindemoya, learn how to prepare and plant garlic, store and use herbs or make a clay oven pizza.
All weekend long at Fish Point Studio in Gore Bay also at the Harbour Centre there will be a Weekend Paint-Out so bring your easel, chair and favourite medium and paint the beautiful view overlooking Rotary Beach.
Also during the course of the weekend, one residence in Honora Bay will be the host to a program of learning practical and survival skills such as bow drill fire making, hide preparation and much more. This workshop has limited space so those interested much RSVP by emailing mta@manitoulin.net.
The MTA is asking people to share their own skills for future Festival of a Thousand Skills workshops. They can do so by visiting any of the public sites this weekend or by emailing mta@manitoulin.net.
And while you’re out and about, help to contribute to the archive of promotional materials by snapping photos of picturesque Manitoulin.
For more information, contact the MTA at mta@manitoulin.net or by calling 705-368-3021.
