Fall/Winter 2022

o
V l. 31 No. 3

What's Under the Umbrella?

o Juno nominated Miss Emily
o Remembering Brian Scott
o Glass artist Kathryn Moores

Visual I Performance I Literary I Heritage I Education


Janet Jarrell, Executive Director
janet@quinteartscouncil.org
Heather Christiansen, Program Director
heather@quinteartscouncil.org
Kodie Trahan-Guay, Communications
and Media Director
kodie@quinteartscouncil.org
Lin Parkin, Editorial and Content Director
lin@quinteartscouncil.org
Andrew Gray, Graphic Designer
drewgraymatters@gmail.com
Kim Lidstone, Bookkeeper
qac@quinteartscouncil.org
The Quinte Arts Council is a not-for-profit,
charitable organization, registration num-
ber 107869448 RR 0001. Publications
mail agreement number 40667523. Pub-
lished by: The Quinte Arts Council, P.O.
Box 22113 Belleville, Ont. K8N 2Z5.
Material may be reprinted only with
permission. Umbrella is mailed to mem-
bers and delivered to distribution points
throughout the Quinte region. The in-
formation contained within is believed
to be reliable, but accuracy cannot be
guaranteed. We do not assume respon-
sibility for any errors and/or omissions As the community leader in advancing,
related to submitted content. Photos sup- cultivating, promoting and advocating
plied by artists unless otherwise noted. for a vibrant and diverse arts region,
QAC programs are funded in part by:
John M. & Bernice
PARROTT
F O U N D AT I O N
MESSAGE FROM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Our community is growing! We are a
more culturally diverse population, with
newcomers from larger cities across the
province, the country and international-
ly. Artists, collectives, and arts organi-
zations have created new partnerships,
opportunities and experiences, keeping
us connected to each other and to our
communities.
The arts have social, economic, and
cultural impacts that are essential to
our community’s growth, well-being
and identity. This growth demands fur-
ther development of creative spaces
and services, from recreational to res-
idential buildings to parks and public
areas. This past September, at the 28th
annual Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts
hosted by the QAC, Mayor Mitch Pan-
ciuk announced support for the devel-
opment of a Performing Arts Centre in
Belleville. We applaud our municipal
and provincial governments for their
commitment to increasing their invest-
ments in our cultural infrastructure.
We must continue to work to meet the
needs of our growing community and
the growing demand for accessible cre-
ative spaces.
Cover: Miss Emily, PC: Jillian Lorraine Photography
Table of Contents
Rene Fisher
Message from the Chair + Welcome New Staff 2
Meet the QAC summer student team 3
the QAC needs your help to continue
this important work. Please consider Photography
joining our efforts by becoming a mem- Rene Fisher 4
ber, volunteering, or applying to use Fine Arts
our gallery for a show or workshop - Susan Wallis - mindfulness & the creative process 6
connect with us! Tim Nimigan - a lifetime of community 8
Kathryn Moores Cracked Glass Studio 10
Since 1991, readers have come to
rely on Umbrella for articles and news Theatre
Jocelyn LoSole - when the universe brings you a theatre 12
about emerging and established artists
Quinte Youth Theatre building confidence in kids 14
working in the performing, visual and
literary arts. We also highlight news Crafts
and information about arts education Melanie Gray - the story of Little Owl 16
and activities in the schools.
In Memoriam
Brian Scott - a legacy of dance 17
I would like to take this opportunity
to thank our contributors to Umbrella. Heritage
Their skill in the craft of writing allows Whiskey, log rolling, gold and war - we have history! 18
them to share with you artists' process- Past meets past meets present at Glanmore House 20
es, cultural experiences and the impor-
tance of heritage. Music
Miss Emily - It takes a village 22
Thank you – Jennifer Shea, Ardith Community choral groups return to live performance 24
Racey, Greg Ceci, Peter Paylor, Community
Scott Williams, Joy Goddard, Base31 - creative placemaking, building community 26
Scott Mills, Kiki Carr, Richard Firelight Lantern Festival celebrates milestone anniversary 28
Hughes, and QAC’s own Lin Parkin,
Kodie Trahan-Guay and Heather Literary
Christiansen. You are exceptional! Beth Milligan - finding creative inspiration 30
First Tuesday Muse speaks a community into being 32
Fred Leonard gets back to his roots in Tyendinaga 34
Arts Education
2023 QAC Bursary Recipients 36
Quinte Arts Council
Back: The Prom Date by Nicole Burley
Mayor’s Luncheon for the Arts & Arts Recognition Awards 38
Fall Scenes of Quinte Show 40
Artist to Watch: Justin Anderson 44
Sponsored by the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board
 MESSAGE FROM CHAIR OF THE BOARD

Welcome to the Umbrella! Whether you are returning or

reading for the first time, our hope is that you will get a
glimpse of the brilliance and value of arts and culture in
our community. We hope to connect you to the diverse
people and places that bring beauty and self-reflection
to our lives. This glimpse may invite you to honour and
celebrate the creativity of others or to make space for
your own creativity.

We know that Umbrella has already impacted our

community in these ways, and over many years. We are
committed to this work.
Andrea Kerr
If you are looking for more, the Quinte Arts Council is
spreading the good word about the arts and artists over
several other channels. Google "Quinte Arts Council," and our website will lead you to more
artists, features on our socials, What’s On Quinte events app, Belleville Intelligencer articles,
podcasts, partnerships, and more.
Belleville
Umbrella is a rather literal term in our view. We protect, embrace and amplify everything that is
arts and culture! If there are voices missing, we want to know. Connect with us, donate, and share Amber Davidson Mikaela Thomas Johanna Schaly
the good word. The cause is creativity, and its worth is immeasurable.

Meet the QAC summer student team

WELCOME NEW STAFF
Lin Parkin (she/her) has a varied skill set steeped in creativity coupled with digital media
management, content management, business and marketing administration, public relations,
and customer service management.
The Q AC o f f i c e
welcomed three students to the team
for the summer: Johanna Schaly, So-
Lin earned a Floral Arts certificate in 2002 through the continuing education program in cial Media Community Manager,
Vancouver, B.C. She also earned a Travel Associateship through an accelerated program Amber Davidson, Special Events Co-
offered by Travel Professionals International in Winnipeg, MB. She operated her own small ordinator and Mikaela Thomas, Com-
travel business for many years before pursuing her first love of writing and a growing interest munications Assistant.
in digital media.
Johanna has a Bachelor of Fine Arts and
Her writing career began in 2007 when she went to work for a tech-savvy startup in London, ON, is pursuing her Bachelor of Education at
where she maintained company blogs, news, and resource pages. In 2014, she branched out as Queen’s University. She has a passion
a freelance writer creating website content for companies for helping others and is dedicated to
from coast to coast. She also helped launch and grow a uplifting members of the arts community.
community-based business and lifestyle magazine, serving Johanna created “Spotlight Sunday,'' a
as its first writer and Associate Editor for four years. project for QAC to highlight community
members. As Social Media Community
Lin started as a volunteer at the Quinte Arts Council in Manager, she spent her summer han-
2018 upon moving back to her hometown of Belleville dling all the QAC’s social media plat-
with her husband and son. She began regularly forms and learning how to use social
contributing to Umbrella in 2019. media to engage with the community.
As a Quinte Arts Council team member, Lin brings un- Amber graduated high school in June
wavering enthusiasm and dedication to strengthening and is attending the University of Ottawa
arts and culture in our community. this fall to study Fine Arts. She is a visual
artist and her time at the QAC taught her
about working in a gallery and connect-
Contact Lin: lin@quinteartscouncil.org Lin Parkin ing with artists. Amber spent her summer
By Kodie Trahan-Guay
with the QAC creating member profiles
for the website, and she coordinated the
1000 Words Show, a student art show
in August. The student show had the
highest attendance for a QAC art show
post-pandemic.
Mikaela is a graduate of Nicholson
Catholic College. She attended the
University of Ottawa and was major-
ing in Visual Arts before changing her
focus. She plans on enrolling in the
winter semester at Loyalist College.
Mikaela is an innovative and imagi-
native person with a passion for art in
all disciplines. She spent her time at
the QAC working with the events app:
What's On Quinte. Mikaela connect-
ed with downtown businesses and or-
ganizations to learn what the Quinte
region has to offer and to learn about
the talented local artisans who sell
their pieces in Downtown Belleville.
Mikaela also helped organize some
of the QAC archives, not an easy
feat considering the council has been
around since 1967.
Funding for the student positions
was generously provided by the
Canada Summer Jobs program
and the Enrichment Centre for
Mental Health.
The staff at the QAC want to thank
the students for their hard work this
summer and wish them luck with
their future endeavours.
Janet Jarrell, QAC’s Executive Direc-
tor, says, “As part of our mandate,
we are here to support the new gener-
ation of artists by offering quality ar-
tistic experiences and opportunities.
We value our partnerships with the
Canada Summer Jobs Program and
the Enrichment Centre as their sup-
port allows the QAC, a not-for-profit
organization, to offer these valuable
job opportunities. The skills acquired
empowers art workers to achieve cre-
ative success with viable, sustainable
careers and builds a stronger arts
community.”

02 03
 Sean Ferguson
Prince Edward County
Rene Fisher
Photography
Fisher grew up in a small town outside
of Austin, Texas. “As a kid, I was very
interested in digital art and drawing
and decided to go to Savannah Col-
lege of Art and Design in Georgia.
When I was accepted, my parents
bought me my first DSLR camera as
a graduation gift: a Pentax K-X. That
summer, I took it with me on a high
school sponsored trip to Italy, France,
and Spain, sparking a lifelong desire
to travel and share the beauty from
around the world.”
Fisher graduated from Savannah Col-
lege of Art and Design in 2015 and
embarked on the next chapter of her life
moving to Belleville, Ontario, to live with
her (now) husband. In 2017, after travel-
ling and rekindling her love for photogra-
phy, she upgraded to a Pentax K-3 II pur-
suing her love for photography again.
“Having a camera gave me an excuse
to go out on long drives and see beyond
travel photography and to fall in love
with where I live.”
04
Belleville
Photography
A few short years later, Fisher became
an official ambassador for Pentax and
had her images published in a special
Canadian Geographic edition for Best
Wildlife photography.
Fisher also works with OneLook Produc-
tions as a Real Estate Photographer: “I
have a camera in my hand more often
than not!"
IG: @renefisher_photography
05
 Pause in nature and bring mindfulness
into the creative process
Photography
Fine Arts
Prince Edward County
By Lin Parkin
Last summer, when
many artists were emerging from isolation
and showing their work in galleries again,
encaustic artist and entrepreneur Susan
Wallis took on a new artistic venture.
Choosing the old officers' barrack at
Base31 in Picton, Wallis opened the
doors to Melt Studio and Gallery in the
spring of 2021. The decision to open
her own space was also influenced by
funding she received from the Federal
Melt Tudio and Gallery
Economic Development Agency for
Southern Ontario to begin offering a
new art project.
“During the pandemic, my husband and
I started taking more walks. I noticed
that during and after these walks, I felt
both physically and mentally better.”
Wallis explains, “I was able to come
back into my studio more refreshed and
inspired. I pondered how I could share
these feelings of connectedness and re-
newal through nature with others.”
With 20 years experience, Wallis is
regularly called upon to teach encaustic
classes but has always shied away from
it. Inspired by the book Braiding Sweet-
grass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific
Knowledge, and The Teachings of Plants
by Robin Wall Kimmerer, she thought,
“What if it wasn't simply an art class, but
rather an art and nature experience?”
Wallis began exploring the idea of ex-
periential tourism, a.k.a immersion trav-
el, where people focus on experiencing
06
Base31
a particular place by actively and mean-
ingfully engaging with its history, people,
culture, food and environment. During
the pandemic, she took workshops
on experiential tourism and received
the seed money from the government.
And PAUSE was born.
“I think everyone should spend more
time in nature. But for an artist, I feel it
helps us to cleanse the eye and humble
Melt Tudio and Gallery
the hand so that when we return to the
studio, we are in some way renewed,”
she says. “I came across this anony-
mous quote that I feel best describes this
importance of immersing oneself in na-
ture: ‘And into the forest I go. To lose my
mind and find my soul’.”
Levi Weir
Fine Arts
Melt Studio and Gallery - PAUSE 7 Nurses
The PAUSE experience begins with a
mindful nature walk and then the creation
tic collage hanging on their wall, they
will recall their PAUSE experience and
of the artwork. Participants are taken on will hopefully remember to PAUSE in
a guided tour of Beaver Meadows Con- their daily life."
servation area or Honey Pie Hives and
susanwallis.com
Herbs. Wallis says, “A knowledgeable
meltstudiogallery.com
herbalist assists us in identifying plants
and discusses their medicinal value along
with some folklore of days gone by.”
Participants head back to Melt Studio to
be instructed by Wallis, where novice
and experienced artists alike create a
one-of-a-kind encaustic collage made up
of items gently harvested on their walk.
When asked of her most memorable mo-
ment, Wallis says, “It’s the ta-da! moment
at the end when we take their encaustic
collage and frame it before their eyes.
They are always so pleased with their out-
come, and I am always so impressed with
the individuality of each piece.”
“My goal is that when the participant
is back in their home engulfed in their
busy lives, as they pass by their encaus- Amanda Keenan
07
 A lifetime of community
Fine Arts
By Kiki Carr
Retired art teacher
and long-time member of the Greater
Napanee and Area Art Association
(GNAAA), Tim Nimigan, was the recip-
ient of a Lifetime Achievement Award
given by the Napanee Municipal Arts
and Culture Advisory Committee in June
The Original Community Mailboxes
Lennox Community theatre set, painted by Tim Nimigan
of 2022. Looking at his creative re-
sume, it doesn’t take long to see how
dedicated he is to his community.
When asked why community is such a
big part of his art through the years, he
explains that it is the heartbeat of his
love of creating.
08
Napanee
That pulse is seen in his signature comic
strip of almost 20 years, Our Town, for
the Napanee Beaver newspaper where
Nimigan uses kind humour, poking fun
at everyday happenings in a small Ca-
nadian town. The pulse is also in his
public art initiatives like the ‘Pallet’able
The Prodigal's Father, stoneware
Art Program - bright street art painted
on wooden pallets found all throughout
the community. That pulse continues as
he spearheads the Implemental Garden
Project with the GNAAA - this creative
project uses garden tools as a canvas
for the artists which are then displayed
in public gardens.
“No man is an island,” he states.
“As an artist, we can spend a lot of
time alone” but for him, it helps to
be with people. Nimigan is a social
being and surrounds himself with
people, places and things to be in-
spired by, and in turn he hopes to
inspire them back. He is wired with
community in mind.
Longevity has been a big part of his goals,
even early on. “I was particular about
wanting to remain a practicing artist while
teaching,” he notes. When it came to his
students, teaching by doing was how he
wanted to encourage them. He set that
example by participating in several art
Fine Arts
Tim Nimigan, PC: Dan Fleury
shows every year. Nimigan stayed con-
tinually active in local art initiatives over
the years because his driving force to his
students was to inspire them.
When asked if he will continue to cre-
ate, he said that ideas are in the back
of his head for future local art projects,
and he is not slowing down anytime
soon. He is painting, as always, and
getting ready for juried shows. He is a
Greater Napanee Area Art Association
member and has upcoming community
art lined up. Nimigan is as busy as ever
and states, “I don’t sit around.”
It seems that at the rate of how involved
he is with future plans already lined up,
Nimigan may need a second lifetime
achievement award very soon.
Hanging Around
09
 Finding purpose with glass design
Fine Arts

Fine Arts
By Jennifer Shea
Quinte West

Glass artist Kathryn

(Kathy) Moores has a friendly, open
She’s more than willing to share her
knowledge, offering regular classes at her
Glen Miller Road studio, Cracked Glass
personality and an infectious laugh.
Design, which opened last November.
She doesn’t take herself too serious-
ly but has a strong passion for her
An aircraft engineer with the Canadian
craft as a professional glass artist.
Armed Forces for 25 years before an MS
diagnosis forced her medical release,
Moores has used her glass artistry as a
way to relax. “I can get lost in it. Even
when I know it’s going to take another
six hours (to complete a piece), part of
me – right down in the centre of me – is
mellow. I’m in a happy place.”
Upon her retirement, Moores created
her own glassworks but also offered
commission work – either new pieces
or repairs – and taught lessons. She
worked in the basement of her home,
in about half the space of her current
studio. She never advertised, but word
of mouth kept her busy.
The early post-retirement years were
challenging in terms of transition. “I was
lost for a little while, even though I had
my glass studio at home.” Moores felt
she needed more structure and focus in
her day, hence the idea of opening a
studio separate from her home.
Moores has spent a good amount of
time over the years learning about glass
art techniques. She has taken courses
from glass artists from around the world,
often one-week-long intensive versions.
Her interests have evolved from tra-
ditional stained-glass pieces to fused
glass. “With fused glass, you cut your
glass – the pieces you want for a spe-
cific design. There’s no soldering. The
heat (from a kiln) brings it all together.
Depending on the end effect that you
want, it may go through the kiln 2, 3, 4
or 5 times.”
“I love stained glass. I love leaded glass.
But my wheelhouse is really fused glass.
I just find that there’s so many different
things you can do with it. You can make
functional. You can make fun. You can
do sculpture in it.”
Moores offers classes in both fused
and stained glass at her studio. She
notes that the beginner’s course in
fused glass is three hours long, and
the artist will have a completed piece
within days (after it’s run through the
kiln). A stained-glass piece can take
much longer to create.
Moores has always been an artist at
heart. She has enjoyed sketching (in
pen and charcoal), painting and is in-
terested in sculpture. She was never en-
couraged to pursue art, but it has been
a hobby throughout her life, with glass
becoming her preferred medium.
“I do love working with glass. It’s
not considered a solid, liquid or gas
because it’s so malleable. It depends
on what you’re doing with it. I love
everything about it. I do believe, as
artists, the more enthusiastic we are
about our work, the more it draws
people in.”
crackedglassdesign.com

10 11
 When the universe
brings you a theatre
By Peter Paylor Belleville Sean Scally

Jocelyn
Theatre

LoSole was
twelve-years-old and living in Orillia
when she decided to take some work-
shops at the Second City Performing
Arts Centre in Toronto. Soon, she was
cast in a local youth production of Jesus
Christ Superstar.
“It was such an amazing experience
for me as a 13-year-old because, at the
time, I didn’t realize that I had such a
passion for performing. I remember one
specific point during rehearsal, we were
doing “Hosanna,” looking at the cast of
forty-five people; we were in a church,
the sunlight was coming in through the
stained-glass windows, and it was so
surreal for me, and something clicked…
from then on, I was just completely in
love with performing and acting…I
don’t think about anything else in the
day other than acting. It’s just my identi-
ty at this point.”
After five years of community theatre
in Simcoe County, LoSole decided it
was time for professional training. She
attended Randolph College for the Per-
forming Arts in Toronto from 2015 to
2017, studying musical theatre, and
then went overseas to Glasgow, where
she graduated with a Master's Degree
in Musical Theatre Performance from
the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
in October 2019. In January 2020,
she decided to return to Scotland for
a couple of years to build her resume.
She was getting a career going until
March came – and COVID.
LoSole flew back to Canada in October
2021. Her parents moved from Orillia
while she was gone, so she landed in
Belleville with the idea of starting up her
own company, Sole Theatre. “I decided
to just let the universe bring me a the-
atre,” she says. The next day, she saw
a Facebook post from Theatre in The
Wings. That was in April. She started
doing acting classes there in May, first
with adults, then teens, then another
round with adults.
After Frankenstein, LoSole wants to spend
more time behind the scenes before she em-
barks on a professional career in acting. “I
would rather just stand on my own two feet
and know that I have built a life for myself
that I am proud of and that I am in control
of, and nobody is able to tell me what to
do, what to think, what to believe.”
“I’ve built these resources for myself, so
when I move into an industry where a lot
Theatre
of people will probably try to tell me what
to do, I’ll be able to stand on my own two
feet, especially as a woman, and say I will
make my own choices because I made my
own choices when I was twenty-five.”
jocelynlosole.com | soletheatre.com

LoSole has thoroughly enjoyed her first

experience of teaching the craft. “It’s
been one of the most enlightening ex-
periences I’ve ever had in my life,” she
says. “I keep picturing my journey here
like a plant. It’s been growing so rap-
idly, but it’s so cool to see the growth.”

Next up for LoSole is her first foray into

directing. She is busy rehearsing Tim
Kelly’s stage adaptation of Frankenstein,
which Sole Theatre will be producing at
Theatre in The Wings in November with
Sean Scally an all-female cast.
12 13
 Building confidence and character in kids
with performance art
By Lin Parkin
Belleville
Theatre
Located north of the city,
just off Highway 62, is a dance studio where
big dreams are born. That dream for Crystal
Clark and Annastacia Smith, co-owners of On-
tario Dance Academy, is to make performance
art accessible to everyone.
“Our goal is to take our current commitment to
high-quality training and apply it to a commu-
nity-based, free youth theatre program,” says
Clark. “We are providing opportunities for young
performers in the region to have a high-quality
experience, with the same quality and standards
that they would receive in a large metropolitan
area.” With that intention, Clark and Smith cre-
ated Quinte Youth Theatre, a free-for-participants
performing arts youth group.
Performers of all experience levels participate
in a full musical theatre production with sing-
ing, dancing, and acting roles. Acknowledging
some youth want to be involved but not be on
stage, there are also roles in stagecraft, includ-
ing set design and building, visual arts, lighting,
programming and stage management.
Each discipline engages the brain, body, and
emotions, increasing self-awareness and build-
ing life-long skills. “The arts attract children look-
ing for a voice and a sense of belonging, and in
14
Theatre
a city such as Belleville, often many youth are not able to gain
these valuable experiences as cost is always a huge factor,”
explains Clark. “We are hoping to create a sustainable, cost-
free option for young people to gain this important piece of
shaping their future lives.”
Born as a passion project, Clark and Smith volunteer their time
and rehearsal space to the program. In 2022, Quinte Youth
Theatre’s inaugural production was Nickelodeon's “Sponge-
Bob -The Musical,” which included thirty local youth perform-
ers and artists and over four hundred hours of volunteer time.
Rebekah King, whose daughter performed in the musical, says
it was an extraordinary experience for them. “My daughter
is a talented girl but lost her spark during COVID. Playing the
role of Sandy in “SpongeBob-The Musical” reignited her love
of all things theatre and singing,” says King. “She is now part
of several productions and is interested in a career in both vo-
cal performance and musical theatre. The theatre experience
has been truly magical for her. It has taught her so much; be-
ing able to work collaboratively with peers and other theatre
professionals was an experience that she will never forget."
On what’s next for Quinte Youth Theatre, Clark says, “We are
currently working towards raising enough funds to support
our next production. In the interim, we’re offering a series of
free monthly workshops that are open to the community.”
IG: @ontariodanceacademy
15
 Little Owl
By Joy Goddard
Melanie Gray's sterling
silver cedar necklace catches the sun-
light as it dangles from her neck. The
piece is like a snowflake—one-of-a-
kind—cast from the cedar she collected
near her home. Embedded in her art is
a deep respect for nature, a reflection
of her Haudenosaunee roots.
Crafts
“When taking a plant to use for my art,
I give thanks to the Creator and sprinkle
tobacco (grown from her garden) at the
base of the plant, giving back to it," she
says. "I put good words to the art.”
She is especially reverent when creat-
ing art from a deceased animal or bird.
Encountering a dead porcupine on the
road, she expresses her gratitude to the
animal aloud before taking its quills
to make earrings. Similarly, she burns
sage and sweetgrass to give back to
Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
the bird that's lost its life before she
uses its feathers in her art. “In the Indig-
enous culture, nothing goes to waste.”
Indigenous traditional teachings inspire
her art, with the legend of the Three Sis-
ters (beans, corn, and squash) reflected
in some of her designs. She explains that
while art gives us a way to express our-
selves, historically, it served primarily as
a function. Taking clay from the Earth to
make adorned pottery, for instance. Gray
honours this by showcasing old Haude-
nosaunee pottery in her necklaces.
Beauty and power stem from Indige-
nous learning. “We can enjoy jewelry
because it is pretty, but it can speak to
you too," she says. Her blue lace agate
necklace is a case in point. “I'm always
grateful to work with such a peace-
ful stone. It reminds me of a breezy
day when the water is calm.” Gray's
moonstone jewelry reflects the legend
of Grandmother Moon, who watches
over everybody and embodies power,
strength, and beauty like the stone.
Art's hold over her began when she was
a small child. She remembers the excite-
ment of sitting at her cousin’s (Kathy
Loft) kitchen table making a daisy chain.
When Gray was twenty-one, art helped
her cope with the grief of her mother's
death. Now, she helps other people
struggling with mental health issues
through her various art therapy groups.
A graduate of the Toronto Art Therapy
Institute, she provides a safe space for
people to express themselves. “Some
16
times we don't have words, so art can
be a vessel to begin the conversation
about self. It is powerful,” she says. “A
single painting can topple empires.”
She's also a trained silversmith who
co-teaches a beginner's course at The
Kingston Lapidary and Mineral Club
(The Tett Centre).
Her brand is Little Owl. Both she and her
late mother (who called her Little Owl)
love owls. Indeed, the night her moth-
er died, Gray spotted an owlet on the
rain barrel at home as she pulled into
the driveway. Although she'll choose
a Kanyen'kéha name in the future, for
now, she calls herself Little Owl.
Find Melanie Gray’s jewelry at Rebec-
ca Maracle Mohawk Feathersmith Gift
& Gallery.
IG: @littleowljewelr y
A legacy of dance
By Lin Parkin
Born in Ceylon (Sri
Lanka), Brian Scott received his dance
training in Newcastle, England, and a
scholarship to study at the Internation-
al Ballet School in London.
He danced with Ballet Russe, the
Opera Ballet at Covent Garden, the
English National Ballet, and the Na-
tional Ballet of Canada. Early in his
career, Scott appeared in many Brit-
ish golden era films, including Invita-
tion to Dance, starring Tamara Touma-
nova and Gene Kelly, Let’s Be Happy,
starring Vera-Ellen and Tony Martin,
Wedding of Lilli Marlene, starring Lisa
Daniely and Hugh McDermott, Never
Let Me Go starring Clark Gable and
Gene Tierney, and A Christmas Carol
starring Alastair Sim.
Belleville
After a knee injury, his career piv-
oted from dancing to teaching. In
sometimes a bit harsh, but always full
of love and playfulness too,” said Eli
1972, he came to Belleville at the Klasner, a former student of Scott’s, in a
request of the Belleville Branch comment on Facebook. “His approach
of the National Ballet Guild. The helped make me who I am today, and
branch consisted of volunteers and will live out all of my days remember-
parents who wanted to establish lo- ing him with only love and admiration.”
cal, high-calibre dance instruction
In Memoriam
for their children. Scott taught the The Quinte Ballet School of Canada re-
Cecchetti method, and before long, members Mr. Scott fondly; “The Quinte
the school was welcoming interna- Ballet School [of Canada] owes an
tional dance students to study with enormous debt of gratitude to Brian
him and his group of teachers. Scott and to the Quinte Ballet Guild. We
wouldn’t have reached our 50th Anni-
As the school’s founding Artistic Direc- versary without them.”
tor, his contributions to its success were
vast. In 1992, the Quinte Dance Cen- Photos supplied by
tre became the Quinte Ballet School. Quinte Ballet School of Canada
By 1980, the school established itself
as one of Canada's only independent
quinteballetschool.com
professional ballet schools. In 2002,
in recognition of its contributions to
the arts on a national level, the school
was renamed the Quinte Ballet School
of Canada.
Scott received the Confederation Medal
for dedicated service to the community
and country and the Queen Elizabeth II
Diamond Jubilee Medal. He retired in
2000 as the Founder and Artistic Direc-
tor of the Quinte Ballet School of Can-
ada and Fellow of the Imperial Society
of Teachers in Dancing. Scott passed
away on Tuesday, July 12, 2022, in his
93rd year.
“Brian was a mentor, a father figure
and probably one of the biggest per-
sonal, cultural, educational influencers
in my life. He was tough, demanding,
17
 Whiskey, log rolling, gold and war
- we have history!
Heritage

Heritage
By Richard Hughes The Armouries

Stop by Meyers Pier

to enjoy the gentle waves on the Bay
History is so much more than streets and
buildings and a river and a bay. Know-
ing the past brings an appreciation of
as lovely sailboats glide by, one foot
the achievements, beauty and amazing
resting on the great steel cleats by the
stories the community has experienced.
dock. Imagine the rumrunners a hun-
It brings a whole new dimension, add-
dred years ago, in their sharp suits
ing energy to everyday locations, new
and dark fedoras, supervising the
understanding and a sense of identity or
loading of hundreds of cases of Cor-
personal connection to the community.
by’s whiskey onto their boats, head-
ing for the likes of Al Capone and the
On your stroll along the Moira River,
bootlegging gangs in the U.S.
imagine springtime in the late 1800s;
Sir Mackenzie Bowell
18
violent waters rushing down from the
north, with 100,000 logs crashing and
tumbling on their way to the Bay listen-
ing to hundreds of French-speaking log-
gers moving them along - a wild scene.
On Pinnacle Street, note the grand Armouries
fortress. Imagine hundreds of bright-faced
young men in their new uniforms, ready for
war, lined up in ranks and then marching to
the train station past cheering crowds, wives
and mothers tearfully waving good-bye.
Walk through the quiet village of Ma-
doc and imagine the main street in
1866 jammed with thousands of pros-
pectors burning with gold fever, arriving
by horseback or the daily stagecoach
from Belleville, confident that endless
wealth awaits them.
History helps us understand society, cul-
ture and how all past activities shaped
today’s community. It teaches us that
Gerry Boyce
change and progress are normal and
should be encouraged.
In October, the community lost its greatest
contributor to the development and appre-
ciation of Belleville’s rich local heritage.
There are economic benefits too. Histor- Mr. History, Gerry Boyce (pictured below),
ical sites and natural features are valu- passed away, but his legacy will live on for-
able assets, giving a location its unique ever. Mr. Boyce researched and authored
charm or appeal that people want to the region's definitive histories and brought
see and experience. these stories to the public. He inspired
teams of volunteer researchers for six de-
The grand homes in Old East Hill, Glan- cades in gathering priceless historical doc-
uments, thousands of photographs, maps
more House, Prince Edward County mu-
and memorabilia, leading to the creation
seums, and the Central and North Hast-
of the Community Archives. Gerry Boyce
ings mining centres fascinate visitors.
was the source and inspiration for under-
Family history researchers come from
standing and appreciating local heritage,
far and wide to experience the sites of
and for this, we are eternally grateful.
their ancestors and visit their cemeteries.
Photos supplied by
Our history includes Sir Mackenzie Bow- Hastings County Historical Society
ell, who rose from junior clerk to owner hastingshistory.ca
of the Belleville Intelligencer and then to
Prime Minister of Canada. Dr. Bert Col-
lip, co-discoverer of insulin which has
saved millions of lives. Susanna Mood-
ie, pioneer author, whose books remain
in print after 175 years. And Hastings
and Prince Edward Regiment, the most
decorated regiment of World War II.
19
 Past meets past
meets present
By Ardith Racey Belleville

Art installations are

typically designed to change our per-
She says, “the museum world is collec-
tively trying to shift its interpretation of
Chambers describes the piece as “be-
ing kind of like the porch because
history to address decolonization and it’s looking into the window into the
ception of space or place, but the sum-
reconciliation because there’s so much house from an Indigenous lens.” The
mer installation at the Glanmore Na-
history that’s invisible; so much history window as a lens perspective allows
tional Historic Site was an attempt to
that’s before the house.” viewers to see inside the house, which
reconcile the precolonial past with the
celebrates an opulent Victorian past,
Victorian past and with the present.
In June, Chambers created the instal- to ‘look’ through an Indigenous lens
lation on the veranda at Glanmore and into the natural world.
Metis artist Tracey-Mae Chambers’ yarn-
during National Indigenous History
Heritage

art installation, part of a national project
month to create conversations and re-
titled Hope and Healing Canada was
spond to the discoveries of the remains
“an effort to recalibrate our collective
of Indigenous children buried at Resi-
histories and stories,” says Danielle Mc-
dential Schools.
Mahon-Jones, Exhibit Developer Coordi-
nator at Glanmore House. She viewed
To date, she has completed 104 similar
the project as a “perfect way for a na-
installations at various ‘museums, gal-
tional historic site to be part of a cultural
leries, universities, public spaces and
shift that asks us to think about what hap-
former Residential Schools’ all across
pened before Glanmore was built.”
Canada. When McMahon-Jones was
contacted by Chambers, she and Jen-
nifer Lyons, Manager of Museum Ser-
vices, were delighted to house the ex-
hibit because they “loved the message
she was bringing.” Reactions from
the public have been “overwhelm-
ingly positive” because it has “an
impact on so many levels,” says Mc-
Mahon-Jones.
No doubt this is because the piece, as
art, works on so many levels. Togeth-
er with the blood and teardrop sym-
bolism, the dreamcatcher motif further
emphasizes Indigenous history, and
the webbing mimics the natural world
of spiders. “Everything is intersected,”
says McMahon-Jones, “so the piece is
symbolic of what Chambers is trying
to say about how we can heal through
art, and the need to shift our interpreta-
tion of our collective histories.”
20 21
Heritage
This idea is echoed by McMa-
hon-Jones’ thoughtful observation that
it became home to spiders, dandelion
fluff, and leaves. “It weathered several
severe storms. The nature of museums
is to start with the house, with settler
stories, but there’s a larger story that
reverberates–that’s invisible because
there aren’t objects in the house to tell
that story, which is the story of decolo-
nization,” says McMahon-Jones.
McMahon-Jones would love to have
Chambers do another installation and
is also open to other artists, travelling
exhibits, local artists, and partnerships
with the community. “Hope and Healing
Canada was just such a great message
and a priority for Glanmore,” she states
enthusiastically.
The installation, leaves an enduring
message that resonates on many lev-
els, marrying peoples, past traditions,
and the environment through a power-
ful collaboration that addresses a big-
ger picture about our collective past
and present.
Photos by Christopher Gentile
glanmore.ca
 It takes a village
By Greg Ceci

Prince Edward County

PC: Suzy Lamont Photography PC: Jillian Lorraine Photography
Music

Music
The music industr y
has a longstanding reputation of being
Today, Miss Emily parks her boots in
Kingston but maintains roots in Prince
everyone else, create a village and treat
them like gold, be ready to be treated
for The Tragically Hip, Sam Roberts and
The Trews at Big Music Fest in front of
Her fourth album Defined By Love was
released in September 2022. With
Edward County and Belleville. She unfairly and, even in 2022, you'll still twenty-eight thousand people and per- eighteen years under her belt, Miss
an old boy's club and a rather shady
gratefully remarks, “I feel like I’m a have to work harder than men.” forming at the Harvest Jazz and Blues Emily feels her career is just starting to
one at that. So how does a gifted
product of a supportive collective Festival in Fredericton. roll with plans to tour across Canada,
young woman breakthrough? With
community, and it’s a great feeling.” Her songwriting reflects her experienc- the USA, and overseas. When asked
tons of talent, an iron will, dogged
es, feelings and the stories that move
determination, lots of luck and a big
As an attractive but naive seven- her. Those songs have led to opening "With eighteen about her greatest achievements, Miss
old-fashioned heap of help from family Emily says, “I am very proud of the
and friends. Miss Emily has waded
teen-year-old gigging in bars, Miss Emily
experienced many obstacles, barriers
years under her belt, albums I’ve made. I’ve collaborated
through the mud, muck and mire of with exceptionally talented and
a male-dominated industry - not just
and hardships and describes her expe-
riences as funny, sad, cringe-worthy and
Miss Emily feels her decorated artists. It is an honour to
surviving but thriving.
sometimes scary but she's relied on her career is just starting make music with people who I have
hard work, abilities and sense of humour so much to learn from.”
Miss Emily (born Emily Fennell) was
raised in Prince Edward County by a
to endure and flourish. Regarding busi- to roll with plans to
ness and production, Emily minds the Change comes slowly, but Miss
gospel-singing father and piano-playing
shop but also has the humility to surround tour across Canada, Emily and her village are leading
mama. Music was a staple, and Miss
Emily fondly remembers listening to old
herself with a strong support circle. Miss
Emily says, “My followers and support-
the USA, and the charge.
soul and gospel records, but her father's
voice remains her favourite.
ers are part of my village, and my career
only works with them in my corner.”
overseas.” themissemily.com

Her first public performance came Miss Emily has received four Maple Blues
Success bears responsibility, and Awards; Female Vocalist of the Year (2020
at four-years-old and piano lessons
Emily knows that young songwriters and 2022), New Artist of the Year (2020),
followed with a local teacher, Heather
now look up to her – most of them and a Sapphire Blues Video Award in
Ross, who proved to be another
young women. She offers these words 2020 for Hold Back the River. In 2022,
monumental influence. At seven years
of wisdom, “Put in a lot of hours honing Miss Emily’s album LIVE at the Isabel
old, a family friend, Susan Paster- Miss Emily & daughter Piper attend
your craft and educating yourself, received a Juno nomination for Blues
nak, inspired her to become a pro- the Juno's, PC: George Pimente Miss Emily LIVE Album Press Photo
assume you have to work harder than Album of the Year.
fessional musician.
22 23

Community choral groups
By Scott Mills
"I love to hear a choir.
Music
-one should be looking to, as we have
a rich tradition of choral music here,
I love the humanity... to see the faces
including choir groups active for more
of real people devoting themselves to
than half a century and Belleville’s
a piece of music. I like the teamwork.
own Griffin Opera House that opened
It makes me feel optimistic about the
in 1884. Our music has survived,
human race when I see them cooperating
and will continue to bloom, after the
like that.”- Sir Paul McCartney.
COVID-19 pandemic.
Suppose Sir Paul McCartney is correct
Deemed a super spreader due to the pro-
that we can be optimistic about humanity
duction of respiratory droplets and aero-
when listening to a choir. In that case,
sols, a number of reports linked COVID-19
the Quinte region is a place that every
outbreaks to singing, devastating
24
Shout Sister Choir
choirs around the globe. Considered the
hardest hit sector, choirs were ordered
to seize all live group operations.
Strict protocols and procedures were
enforced by public health authorities -
choir practices ground to a halt.
Choirs were quiet. Performances
were cancelled, including Command
Performance Choirs' long-awaited
performing trip to Europe. Despite
this, choir director Moira Nikander-
Forrester said, "When this all
A Cappella Quinte
happened, what became clear to
me was how essential getting to
sing together was.”
Umbrella organizations such as
Choirs Ontario and Choral Canada
began to gather resources to support
community organizations. Although
some groups decided to take a
hiatus for a few seasons; our local
choirs did find ways to continue
practicing as they waited to return
to live music making.
Belleville Choral Society, Randy Coker & Larry Taylor
Technology was the saving grace.
Groups like the Shout Sister Choir, Hap-
py Harmony Choir, and A Cappella
Quinte used Zoom rehearsals and pre-re-
corded tracks to keep the choirs con-
nected and moving forward. Command
Performance Choir even started outdoor
rehearsals when regulations permitted.
Weathering the COVID storm, choirs
are planning and preparing for new
performances. Groups are growing into
the next phase with new, experienced
25
Happy Harmony Choir
Music
music directors. Heather Christiansen
has taken over the reins of the Belleville
Choral Society (BCS), and Patrick
Headley is the new director with A
Cappella Quinte.
Nyssa Fry, the main administrator
for Shout Sister Choir, said, “We are
energized to rebuild with a stronger
foundation and be able to reach more
people than ever before.” Laura Hare,
President of the BCS, stated, “It’s
been inspiring to see the reaction of
the members of the community to the
potential of restarting the BCS.”
New members are always welcome and
the choirs are keen to bring their love of
live music to even bigger audiences. Visit
their social media pages or websites for
information on how to join or when to
see them perform.
Like Sir Paul McCartney, perhaps you
will experience what it is like “to see the
faces of real people devoting themselves
to a piece of music.”
This article is dedicated to the memory
of Stephen Forrester (14-Aug-1945 - 22-
Jul-2022).
 Revitalizing the barracks
- creative placemaking,
building community Prince Edward County
BIRD WOMAN, A Sculptural Work DAVID R. MARACLE & FRIENDS play in the Drill Hall,
By Heather Christiansen in the Drill Hall, PC: Ophelia Spinosa Closest to the Camera is Dancer Youngblood, PC: Ophelia
Community

Community
T im Jones, CEO of
Base31, was raised in a family of artists
“I truly came to understand the power
of art to heal, to create a sense of pride
Jones uses the phrase ‘Creative
Placemaking’ engaging arts and
Jones and his partner, Assaf Weisz and
two Ontario-based companies purchased
In the spring, Base31 announced part-
nerships with the Municipality of Prince Ed-
farms, Maison Depoivre and Melt art
galleries and ten shipping container mural
and identity to advance social change culture to catalyze the transforma- 700 acres in Prince Edward County in ward County, All Welcome Here, PEC Arts paintings projects are in the works.
and originally embarked on a career in
to open minds and hearts.” tion of places. December 2021. Historically, a World Council, History Lives Here, Department
live theatre. With twenty-two years at
Artscape in Toronto and a decade of War II Royal Canadian Air Force base, it of Illumination, The County Foundation, “We have been lucky that there is such an
Of his time at Buddies in Bad Times Respectful of the past, while engaging is emerging as a cultural destination. There Chamber of Commerce and Jacqui Burley, amazing openness in the County to this
experience with the Canada Council
Theatre, Jones says, “It gave me a much creative minds and cultural resources are 75 tenants on 70 acres, and the team, the original property manager whom Jones way of working, to wanting to collaborate,
for the Arts, he knows that Base31 is a
more acute sense of what art is and its to co-create a new future, and that (a local staff of 20) creating more space for credits with saving the place. to make something new,” says Jones.
canvas for storytelling and community
role in advancing culture.” is what Base31 is all about. creatives, innovators, musicians and artists. “I know that there’s not going to be one
development.
Jones says, “arts can breathe life into a author of a site like this; it’s going to be
The first season kicked off loud - Sarah place.” Evidence of this can be seen many different people whose ideas come
Harmer, David Wilcox, Sloan, Bedouin all over Base31, with public art and together, that adds up to a bigger story
Soundclash, the Big Lake Arts Chamber placemaking programs commissioning here…you need a process that is open
Orchestra, We’re Funny That Way - artists to reimagine the site and revitalize and welcoming to other people and
Queer Comedy and Music Festival, and the barracks. Installations of archival ideas.” Jones states, “We need to think of
David R. Maracle and Friends, Digging photographs from local residents, [artists] as value creators and put them at
Roots: a benefit for Tsi Tyónnheht sculpture, Alchemy Artists Residency the centre of city building.”
Onkwawén:na Mohawk Language and pairing artists with local wineries and
@base31pec | base31.ca
Culture Centre.

“We are looking to engage the public,

audiences of all kinds, young and old,”
explains Jones. “It is partly going to be
about the experiences we create here,
but it’s partly about how we record those
stories, not just of the military history,
but there is the loyalist history and
the ten thousand years of Indigenous
Tim Jones, PC: Eliot Kim Ophelia Spinosa ownership and stewardship.” Annelise Noronha. PC: Ophelia Spinosa

26 27
 Picton’s lantern festival celebrates
milestone anniversary
By Lin Parkin Prince Edward County Krista Dalby and Susanne Larner FLF 2019,
PC: Ramesh Pooran PC: Ramesh Pooran
Community

In November 2022,
The Department of Illumination celebrated
County, I produced community arts
events with Clay & Paper Theatre,” says
Dalby. “When I lived in Toronto, I was
their 10th anniversary of the Firelight Lan-
a part of the Kensington Market Winter
tern Festival at Crystal Palace in Picton.
Solstice Festival for a number of years,
where I learned to make lanterns.”
Festival co-founder Susanne Larne first
approached Artistic Director Krista Dal-
While Larne grew up in Picton, she spent
by about starting a Lantern Festival in
some time in Vancouver and was inspired
2013. “We didn’t know each other,
by a lantern festival she’d seen there. Dalby
but she heard that before moving to the
PC: Ramesh Pooran
says, “So when Susanne asked me, ‘Do
you want to start a lantern festival with
me?’ I immediately said yes!”
Its first year was an overwhelming suc-
cess, and the festival continued to grow
and expand over the years. Dalby ex-
plains, “The Firelight Lantern Festival is
a means to bring the community togeth-
er at a time of year when the days get
FLF 2014 Lemon Bucket Orkestra,
PC: Michael Lindon
shorter and the nights get longer, using
light as a symbol to sustain us through
the winter ahead.”
Despite the challenges presented in the
last two years, the festival has main-
tained its resilience. “In the first year of
the pandemic, we created an at-home
festival with an online program, a lan-
tern scavenger hunt in downtown Pic-
ton, and provided lantern kits for folks
to make their lanterns at home, which
we displayed in the window of Books
& Company,” Dalby explains. “Last
year, we were able to go ahead with
an in-person festival, but it had to be all
outdoors with timed ticketing, and we
couldn’t have a parade or workshops.
Despite it all, we really did make the
magic happen!”
This year things are getting back to
normal. The festival typically kicks off
with a series of lantern-making work-
shops. “This is where the real commu-
nity-building happens. We spend time
together being creative while getting
to know each other,” Dalby explains.
“Many newcomers to the community
Community
find their way to our workshops, and
it’s a great place to meet people.”
times of my life, when I look around,
and I think, this is it, this is what makes
Participants range from little kids to life worth living,” reflects Dalby. “Art,
seniors, from absolute beginners to music, and human connection… this is
professional artists. what I’m here for, and this is my super-
power, to be able to create the opportu-
“The night of the festival is absolute- nity to share this with others.”
ly thrilling. We try to knock people’s
socks off with joy and beauty, and
wonder! We encourage folks to wear deptofillumination.org
costumes and bring their sense of
fun,” she says. “Ultimately, we want
to foster a sense of togetherness while
showing how much beauty we can
create when we work together to-
wards a common goal.”
As a milestone year, the Firelight Lantern
Festival is expanding to two nights with
live music, circus performers, extrava-
gant costumes, and a parade of lights.
Dalby hints, “In our studio, we’re build-
ing a new giant lantern puppet, plus
there will be illuminated art installations
and other surprises!”
“Over the last ten years of the Firelight
FLF 2021 Floatie Wedding Chapel
Lantern Festival, there have been mo-
by Nella Casson.
ments that have been some of the best PC: Lindsey Van De Keer

28 29
 Overcoming
adversity,
finding creative
inspiration
By Peter Paylor
Belleville
PC: QAC
Literary

Beth Milligan can trace
her roots as a playwright back to her
After graduating from CSS, Milligan
studied Fine Arts, first at Bishop’s Uni-
versity in Lennoxville, Quebec, then at
years in the Arts Program at Centennial
Mount Allison in Sackville, New Bruns-
Secondary School (CSS) in Belleville.
wick. After graduating, she opened her
own graphic arts business.
She remembers one semester in particu-
lar. “I had two visual art classes, a script
In 2011, Milligan started losing her vi-
writing class, Director’s Craft, drama class,
and vocal music. It was awesome,” she
sion. By 2013, she became legally blind
says. Milligan wrote Fragile Minds that se-
and was diagnosed with retinitis pig-
mentosa and cataracts. She has been
mester with four of her classmates, a play
about the history of Sir James Whitney
progressively losing sight ever since.
School for the Deaf. She enjoyed writing,
but visual art was her passion.
“I had to come up with a direction to go
with my life that fit my circumstances. It
forced me (but in a good way) to go back
to script writing. All those fundamental
drama, directing, and script writing skills
that I honed in high school, that all pivoted
towards me choosing to be a playwright.”
In 2016, Milligan became one of the
founding members of the Quinte Play-
wrights’ Collective. “I started writing
five-minute pieces, then ten-minute pieces,
then twenty-minute pieces… it all kind of
happened organically.”
at the Old Church Theatre near Trenton.
Beatrice, based on the life of Beatrice Lil-
lie, was one of the three winning plays in
the City of Belleville Play Writing Compe-
tition. In the spring, Beatrice had a read-
ing at Theatre in The Wings in Belleville.
“I find it very free-
ing,” she says. “I’m
able to concentrate
solely on the cre-
ative process as
opposed to listen-
ing to technology
With support from the Canadian Insti-
tute for the Blind, Milligan took training
on JAWS (Job Access With Speech), a
program designed to make the writing
process easier for people with sight loss,
but the new technology was frustrating.
Literary
on writing. So, she went old school: she found a
scribe. Meeting weekly, Milligan has since written
a dozen short plays. “I find it very freeing,” she
says. “I’m able to concentrate solely on the creative
process as opposed to listening to technology talk
back to me.”
Her latest project is a series of radio plays titled The
Jackson Nash Mysteries. The first episode “The Mystery
of the Dropbox” will debut as a podcast in November.
Milligan put the weekly writing sessions on hold
briefly to travel to the Guide Dog Foundation in
New York to meet and train with Mesa (pictured
right), her new guide dog. “It’s been a life-changer,”
she says.
She is currently working on Episode Seven of The
Jackson Nash Mysteries. “I feel like I’ve taken some
side steps in my life that have been very helpful in
terms of having creative depth and things to write
about,” Milligan says, “but I actually feel like I’m on
the right path, and I’m doing what I’m supposed to
be doing.”
riverandmain.ca | guidedog.org

Several of Milligan’s plays had readings at Milligan found it stifled her creativity to
the Belleville Club. Another was produced the point that she was ready to give up PC: QAC

30 31
 Speaking a community into being
By Scott Williams
Literary
May 3, 2016, just before
seven in the evening, in a typical – ste-
First Tuesday Muse (FTM) was the
brainchild of Billy Piton and Peter
Snell, who had already collaborated
reotypical – small-town watering hole.
on the optimistically named Tweed
The room is dim, a few candles on tables
National Theatre. In their own words,
contrasting with the fluorescent light illu-
Piton was the “let’s” guy (as in: “let’s
minating a small stage. A patron walks
do it”), and Snell was the “goto guy
in, followed soon by several more. The
whenever Billy had crazy ideas.”
space fills, and organizers breathe a
sigh of relief. Welcome to the very first
“Billy and I just wanted to keep on
First Tuesday Muse, a poetry open mic,
doing creative things,” says Snell. “Bil-
then held at the fabled Tweedsmuir Tav-
ly had seen poetry readings in other
ern in Tweed, Ontario.
places – Kingston, Toronto – so why not
Tweed?” A moment’s skeptical thought
would have suggested some answers,
but Snell adds, "Billy was always will-
ing to leap into the abyss without much
thought.” Thus FTM was born, a coun-
terpoint to the musical open mics Piton
was already organizing.
The pair had no idea if anyone would
show on that first evening – whether it
would “take off or die a quick death”
– but take off it did. “We found all
the clandestine poets that came out of
the forest – literally came out of the
woods with their sheaf of papers.”
Darren Moore
32
Tweed/Madoc
Peter Snell, Bill Piton Sheila Stanley
Literary
The meeting format has stayed consistent
since that first night. Participants sign in
Providing a safe space for those risks has
been a hallmark of FTM since its incep-
A recent participant commented that “do-
ing poetry made me a poet,” and in a
on arrival and are given a slot in which to tion. “It didn’t take long for people within similar vein, doing community has made
read. After each reading, the host provides the community we had created to start re- this a community. By sharing and par-
commentary. “We’re not workshopping ferring to us as family,” says Snell. “Peo- ticipating in each others’ work, this is a
poems here; it’s not a critique,” says current ple felt an obligation to it and felt sup- friendly and supportive community – a
host Tamara Best. “It’s an observation, or a port from it.” Best agrees and describes family – that has quite literally spoken it-
feeling, or a connection – something that this summer’s first post-Covid meeting, self into existence.
resonated.” That commentary – a tradition now held at the craft brewery in Madoc
begun by original host Snell – contributes (the Tweedsmuir Hotel and Tavern was Photos by Billy Piton
to the sense of engagement one gets at destroyed by fire in March 2021), as a
an FTM event. Best, herself an active poet, reunion “a gathering of friends.” FB: First Tuesday Muse Lacey Koch
describes getting to a point in her own
work where she needs the interactions you
get when reading in public. “It’s an essen-
tial part of the editing process,” she says.
Exposing your work to others – and open-
ing it up to commentary – can be terrify-
ing. In a 2016 newspaper article penned
by Ardith Racey, an early FTM participant,
she said, “it takes courage – or complete
stupidity – to read out private, emotional
stuff to anonymous adults.” Making your-
self vulnerable carries risks, but poet Char-
lotte Dafoe says the risks are worth it. Da-
foe uses the meetings as a tool to fine-tune
her work and says, “I’ve been rewarded
so much by taking the risks I’ve taken.” John Paul Ana Lasage, Peter Snell, Mark Lesage
33
 skeptical about these kinds of things, but I met her. She
was telling me things about my family she couldn’t possi-
bly have known.”

During his session with South, the spirit of his great-grand-

mother came through. “She said, ‘I have led you here.
Over these years, I have led you to each book (you’ve
read), and I want you to write a book about my life.’ I
said, ‘I’ve never written a book before’. She said, ‘It is in
you to do this’.”

“Your ancestors are a bridge

to the past. Don’t forget us,
because our stories matter.
We are breathing life back
into our stories.”
Leonard Jr. was in his mid-40s, and he wasn’t sure where to
begin. South offered that some of his great-grandmother’s
messages would come through her, but most would come
directly to him. He would sit at the computer or with pen
and paper and be guided about what to write.

As a result, Leonard Jr. lists himself as co-author of the

book with his great-grandmother, Yontheraha:wi (“she
Literary

Literary
carries the basket”). The first half of the book is the
story of Yontheraha:wi in her own words.

It’s her account of life growing up on Tyendinaga Mo-

Tyendinaga Mohawk Territory
hawk Territory in the late 1800s through to her passing
in 1943. She discusses home and family life, schooling,
cultural traditions and the many hardships and challeng-
es faced. She stresses the importance of family and tra-
ditions. “Your ancestors are a bridge to the past. Don’t

Grandma’s Spirit Calling Us Home to

forget us, because our stories matter. We are breathing
life back into our stories.”

Tyendinaga, co-authored by Fred Leonard The book also features a section in the words of Sha-
ko’nikonhra rátyes (“he is along minding”), one of the
twins born to Yontheraha:wi in 1903. He and his sister
By Jennifer Shea Ruby were abducted by an Indian agent as babies and
never reunited with their mother while alive.

Growing up in Toronto
Fred Leonard Jr. had no exposure to
When Leonard Jr. was looking to
purchase his first home, he was
guided to the Bay of Quinte area.
his Indigenous Mohawk roots. He was
He wasn’t aware of the Tyendinaga
not an avid reader nor writer. That
Mohawk Territory at that time, but a
changed in his 20s, when Leonard
visit to the Territory’s Aboriginal Re-
Jr. discovered the Indigenous history
source Centre provided the direction
book, Bury My Heart at Wounded
he needed for a genealogy search.
Knee. “In two weeks, I read it three
He has since travelled across North
times. I couldn’t even sleep.” That ex-
America to meet Indigenous elders
perience led to wanting to learn more
and learn traditional knowledge,
about Indigenous culture and finding
spirituality, and history.
out about his roots.
34
Leonard Jr. writes the second half of the book in his own
Leonard Jr. was hired on Tyendinaga
Mohawk Territory to work on an envi-
words, summarizing much of the historical research he
conducted and chronicling the challenges his people
ronmental contaminants research proj- faced, including epidemics, wars, poverty, deprivation,
environmental hardships, and suppression through colo-
ect. While working there, he was often
nization. “I want readers to remember about our culture
approached by residents who said, ‘You
through the book.”
look like my husband’ or ‘You look like
my cousin’, fueling his desire to learn
Since the book was launched in 2021, it has been
more about his family’s history.
well-received. Author Doug George-Kanentiio says,
“There is nothing like Grandma’s Spirit anywhere else in
It was recommended that Leonard Jr.
Iroquois-Indigenous literature, but there should be.”
visit a seer, Doreen South, to try and
connect with his ancestors. “I was very FB: Fred Leonard
35

Supporting new generation artists
By Kodie Trahan-Guay
Arts Education
The arts foster creativity, passion
and drive and an arts-based education is a foundation
on which a lifetime of success can be built. Each year,
the Quinte Arts Council (QAC) awards six bursaries to
students graduating from secondary schools in the Quinte
region who are going on to study the arts at a university
or college in Canada.
Arts education is a core part of the QAC mandate. The
QAC Artists in Schools program helps introduce students
Gabrielle Edwards
36
Arts Education Program
t o p ra c ticin g ar tist s w hil e f illin g gaps l ef t by f und -
in g sho r t f alls.
“The students who received the 2022 Graduating Bur-
saries spent half their high school careers in some form
of lockdown. They are a resilient group of students who
pursued their passions despite extreme adversity,” says
QAC Executive Director Janet Jarrell. “Supporting arts
education for students is critical because it supports art
as a viable career.”
Daniel Fobert and Patrick
Ryan McPhee
Gray
Neon Revell
2022 Graduating Student Bursaries:
The Elaine A. Small Bursary
Neon Revell graduated from Bayside Secondary School and
is attending Concordia in the fall to study Studio Art. Art is
incredibly important to Revell. “Making art gives me a way
to process events, feelings, and to express what's in my head
when I can't convey it with words,” he says. “Experiencing
other people's art is an amazing way to connect, to get a
glimpse of what's in their heart and their lives.”
The Hugh P. O’Neil Bursary
Payton Denyes graduated from Centennial Secondary School
and is attending Toronto Metropolitan University to study Me-
dia Production. “Next year, I would love to combine my pas-
sion for the arts with my dream of working with people in a
career that supports the creative growth of others while creat-
ing films and events that inspire on a global scale,” she says.
“I want to work in a diverse industry such as the entertainment
and film industry where I can help others share their stories.”
Holli Finch graduated from St. Paul Catholic Secondary
School and is attending the University of Ottawa to study
Payton Denyes
37
Anissa Nielsen
Fine Arts. “Rather than dreading going to work every day,
which makes up most of one's life, I want to do something that
excites me,” she says. “I want to create something I am proud
of. This is what art is for me; it is my expression, my means of
exercising my creativity and hopefully, I can live off this.”
Susan Richardson Bursary
Arts Education
Anissa Nielsen graduated from Centennial Secondary
School and is attending Queen’s University with a Major
in Biochemistry and a Minor in Music. “After graduating, I
would like to continue performing, as I cannot imagine my
life without music. I wish to remain involved with the arts -
particularly classical music - in the community and would love
to eventually direct a youth choir,” she says.
Quinte Arts Council Bursary
Gabrielle Edwards graduated from Trenton High School and
is attending Seneca College to take Acting for Camera and
Voice. “I am pursuing a career in the Arts because of the positive
influence I can create as an actress and producer. As I continue
to grow in my school community, I am extremely grateful for the
opportunities I have had to make a positive difference and cannot
wait to make even more change in the arts community,” she says.
“I look forward to creating diversity with my artistic creations and
creating more opportunities in the film industry for people who
aren't given opportunities that they should.”
Ryan Gray graduated from Centennial Secondary School
and is attending Toronto Metropolitan University to take
Media Production. “It may sound cliché, but through my love
of music, passion for visual arts and relating to movies, I
have processed key moments of my life through this creative
outlet,” he says. “Media is an integral part of society and has
immense power to effect change, and it is my hope to be able
to have a career in this field, changing our world.”
quinteartscouncil.org/arts-education/
Quinte Arts Council

Quinte Arts Council

(l to r) Anna Fraiberg, Jen Achilles, Dug Stevenson, Janet Jarrell, Victor (l to r) Tweed Mayor Don Degenova, Emily Mewett,
Cooper, Sue Smith, Mayor Mitch Panciuk, QW Mayor Jim Harrison Tim Porter, Janet Jarrell, Vicki McCulloch

Celebrating artistic excellence in Quinte Eighty Twenty Studio: Nominator Dug

Stevenson, of the Bay of Quinte Re-
By Kodie Trahan-Guay gional Marketing Team, says, “Victor
Cooper and Kelly McKinney are repeat-
Howard Rees is a jazz musician passion-
ate about mentoring and developing a
munity. This region is so much stronger
for having Anne in our creative midst.”
love of music in children. Nominated by
Andrea Kerr, former Curriculum Coordi- Thank you to the event sponsors Mc-

It is the most anticipated

event of the year: the prestigious
Quinte Arts Council Arts Recognition
Awards presented at the Mayor’s Lun-
cheon for the Arts.
“For nearly 30 years, the QAC has
hosted this celebration of local artists
and arts organization for their artistic
Dan Atkinson
excellence, cultural leadership and
contribution to the arts,” says Janet
Jarrell, Executive Director. “Our 2022
Champions are working behind the
scenes, giving children the gift of mu-
sic, in video production or making the
northern edge of Quinte the place to
be for theatre - these winners are truly
arts champions.”
38 Anne Cunningham
Tweed & Company: creates and pro-
duces original Canadian musical the-
atre and presents other professional
Canadian theatre productions. Nomina-
tor Victoria McCulloch says “This sea-
son, more than 50 contract performers,
technicians and creative team members
will be hired from home and across the
country, as well as local theatre camp
counsellors. Patrons support local busi-
nesses, hotels and restaurants.”
Dan Atkinson served on the QAC board
for 13 years and joined the board of
the Quinte Ballet School of Canada in
2014 after retiring from Welch LLP.
“Dan has exhibited an understanding
of the Quinte Ballet School of Canada.
He was able to convey in layman's lan-
guage the importance of being fiscally
responsible in order to ensure that the
artistic vision can be realized,” says
Nominator Catherine Taylor.
edly creating high-quality products for
their clients in a way that is raising the
bar for video quality in our region and
across southeastern Ontario. Their se-
ries Stoney Lonesome not only tells sto-
ries about our home, but they also shot
it in our home, cast many local actors,
and they're helping to put our home on
the map by successfully pitching it to
Bell for their Fibe streaming channel.”
Howard Rees
nator for the Arts at the HPEDSB. “How- Dougall Insurance and Financial, Ralph
ard had an immense impact on 130 stu- Johnston, The John M. & Bernice Parrott
dents from four schools in the center of Foundation and The City of Belleville,
Belleville. Students studied his original and to host Paul Dinkel of Paulo’s/Din-
choral jazz music, improvisation, and kel’s Restaurants and local artist Mark
lyric writing… expanding their pride in Armstrong for designing the awards.
themselves, their creativity, self-esteem, Photos by Marilyn Warren
concentration, a sense of belonging,
and music skills, as well as an apprecia-
tion for the performing arts.”
Anne Cunningham: An arts educator, vi-
sual artist and arts advocate Anne Cun-
ningham is a pillar of the arts community
in Quinte. In the 1970s, she joined the
Quinte Arts Council board, where she
served for over four decades as a Di-
rector, Vice-Chair, Chair and Past Chair.
“Anne’s significant contributions and im-
pact to the arts demonstrates why these
awards were created many years ago,”
says nominator Marilyn Lawrie, former
Executive Director of the Quinte Arts
Council. “She deserves to be recognized
for all she has done for the focus upon
and nourishment of the arts in our com-
39 Mayor Mitch Panciuk
 Fall Scenes of Quinte
Quinte Arts Council

Quinte Arts Council

By QAC Team
Sandra Lee Randle, Autumn Mood Helen van Poorten, Who Are You?

Autumn is an inspirational season

for artists, and the season's beauty was at the forefront of
Fall Scenes of Quinte, the Quinte Arts Council (QAC) Gallery
Show and Art Sale this October. The show featured the works
of David Alexander, Tom Ashbourne, Peter Bates, Judy Clark,
Kelli Dossi, Daniel Fobert, Sabrina Jovic, Lorraine Mackie,
Helen Van Poorten, Sandra Lee Randle, Lola Reid Allin, Jo-
anne Rich, and William Richards. Fall Scenes of Quinte ran
from October 3rd-31st and was the third collaborative show
at the QAC gallery this year.

Peter Bates, Algae On The Bay Daniel Fobert, Spring Brook William Murdock Richards, Birch Stand Kelli Diosi, Frankford Trees

40 41
Quinte Arts Council

Quinte Arts Council

Judy Clark, Last Light

David Alexander, West Zwick’s Pavilion

Lorraine Mackie, County Road 49 Lola Reid Allin, Soccer Pitch

42 43
Justin Anderson took up landscape and wildlife photography as
a hobby while hiking nature trails in Quinte West and across Ontario. Now an
award-winning local photographer, Anderson stepped up his game by becoming
a licensed drone pilot.
While Anderson is well-known locally as the afternoon drive host for Mix 97, his
drone photography and films are quickly becoming his signature stamp.
His stunning aerial shots showcase the region's finest locations. Audiences can see
familiar places like Meyers Pier, Bay of Quinte, Vanderwater Park, Belleville City
Hall, streetscapes, and more like never before.
Find Anderson on Youtube, Facebook, Instagram.

Content created in collaboration with the

Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board