Michelle Hallam, Sara Hall, Melissa Boyes

SEPTEMBER 18, 2009
Melissa Boyes Wins the Silver Bridge Gallery Student Art Awards

Muskoka Arts & Crafts Inc. and the Silver Bridge Gallery are pleased to announce that Melissa Boyes of Bracebridge is the recipient of the 2009 Silver Bridge Gallery Student Art Award for 2D and 3D.  

 “I was thrilled to learn that I was selected for these two awards,” said Boyes who has taken art throughout her high school years at Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School. Her keen interest in the arts has been evident with her consistent grade A that she achieved during all four years of art classes.  

This fall, Boyes will be attending the Fundamentals of Art and Design at Georgian College in Barrie. This year long course will introduce Melissa to fine arts, photography, graphic design, interior design and web design.  

In 2004, Michelle Hallam, the owner of the Silver Bridge Gallery in Bracebridge, began the Silver Bridge Gallery Student Art Awards to recognize artistic potential and financially assist with a student’s post-secondary education. Each award is valued at $150 and is given annually to a graduating high school student in Muskoka who is pursuing a post-secondary education in the visual arts.  

“As a gallery owner, I wanted a tangible way to recognize and support the next generation of artists to pursue creative careers,” says Michelle Hallam. “These yearly awards are a good fit with the mandate of the Silver Bridge Gallery to display and promote the work of emerging side by side with the work created by established artists.”  

Muskoka Arts & Crafts, a non-profit visual arts organization adjudicates the Silver Bridge Awards. As a long-time member of Muskoka Arts & Crafts, Hallam wanted to work her local arts association to administrate the Silver Bridge Gallery Student Art Awards. “It just made sense to work with Muskoka Arts & Crafts and to complement and support their own student art award,” says Hallam. Since 1988, Muskoka Arts & Crafts has provided a yearly cash award to high school students from Muskoka who are continuing with a post-secondary education in the visual arts. The Jean E. MacDonald Memorial Award is valued at $1,200 and this year, Rachel Newton of Bracebridge was the recipient.  

“We are pleased that Melissa will benefit from the financial assistance of the Silver Bridge Gallery and the artistic encouragement of Muskoka Arts & Crafts,” states Sara Hall, the president for Muskoka Arts & Crafts. 

Rachel Newton & Sara Hall

SEPTEMBER 4, 2009
Rachel Newton Wins the Jean E. MacDonald Memorial Award

Muskoka Arts & Crafts Inc. is pleased to announce that Rachel Newton of Bracebridge is the recipient of the 2009 Jean E. MacDonald Memorial Award.  

This $1,200 award is given annually to a graduating high school student in Muskoka who is pursuing a post-secondary education in the visual arts.  

“I was so excited to learn that I had been selected to receive this award,” remarked Newton who has taken art throughout her high school years at Bracebridge and Muskoka Lakes Secondary School.   

This fall, Newton will be attending Western University in London, Ontario, were she will earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts as well as a Bachelor of Education. After graduating from university, it is Newton’s goal to return to Bracebridge to teach high school art. “It is through this career that I hope to make a positive impact on the cultural knowledge of future generations. The arts are very important and have a major influence on our social cultures,” says Newton.  

“We are so pleased that someone of Rachel’s artistic ability will benefit from the financial assistance and the artistic encouragement of Muskoka Arts & Crafts,” states Sara Hall, the president for the non-profit organization. “Rachel shows remarkable potential and promises to be successful in her chosen career. We wish Rachel all the best in her studies.”  

The Jean E. MacDonald Memorial Award was established by Muskoka Arts & Crafts Inc. in 1988 and since then, twenty-five students from Muskoka have been recognized for their artistic potential. 

SEPTEMBER 4, 2009
Chapel Gallery Voted the Best Gallery in Muskoka

For the second year running, the Chapel Gallery in Bracebridge has been voted Best Gallery in the Muskokan’s Best Awards.  

“We are absolutely delighted,” said Muskoka Arts and Crafts curator Elene Freer. “We have a beautiful venue and it is great that people are really noticing what we do.”  

The Chapel Gallery has been a haven for artists and art lovers since opening in September, 1989.  

Operated by Muskoka Arts and Crafts (MAC), Muskoka’s only non-profit gallery, offers new shows year round as well as housing an impressive permanent collection.  

The wooden, church-style building hosts between 10 and 12 exhibitions a year as well as a number of workshop, lectures and special events throughout the year that keeps the gallery lively all year for MAC members, visitors and residents.  

“It really is a lovely space in which to display art,” said Freer. “There is also the chance to meet the artist at the opening reception of an exhibition and talk to them in length about their work. We may just be up the hill from the busy down town core of Bracebridge but it really is a peaceful oasis up here and people appreciate that. Those who discover us really find something special.”  

The gallery prides itself on displaying the work from artists of all walks of life. From up-and-coming sculptors to established painters, the gallery hosts them all.  

“We have had complete unknowns right up to a national treasure in Doris McCarthy,” said Freer. “We showcase the talents of the artists we have here in Muskoka but also have exhibitions from artists across Ontario and Canada .  

The Gallery is headquarters for MAC and its 360 members, a group that includes supporters as well as artists. In April, 2008, an initiative by MAC culminated in District Council declaring Muskoka a Designated Arts Community. Freer says MAC is proud to have obtained the designation that will help promote Muskoka as a year-round destination.  

“We really have seen a lot of interest from the local community in promoting this initiative,” said Freer. “People understand how important the arts are to Muskoka and are really behind what we are doing.”  

Upcoming shows include The Working Hands, a photography exhibition by Tim DuVernet and Collaborations, curated by John Leonard.  

On November 17 to 21, the popular Who Art Thou Mystery Art Sale returns for the sixth time to let people to buy a painting they love for a very reasonable price without knowing the artist’s name.

“This is the one where people line up in the dark, in the winter, waiting to get in,” says Freer. “It’s really become a smash hit in our line-up.”  

The Chapel Gallery is located at 15 King St., and open Tuesday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. For more information about events and exhibitions, visit the website at www.muskokaartsandcrafts.com.

JUNE 18, 2009
Bracebridge to Celebrate all Summer Long

Over the past few weeks, a number of Bracebridge Festival and Event organizers have come together in an effort to share resources and expertise while at the same time creating a summer-long series of events to make Bracebridge the must-visit event destination. 

The first results of this collaboration include the development of a Festival website (www.bracebridgefestivals.com), the development of a rack card that features each one of the participating events and the no-cost swapping and reciprocal distribution of web links and brochures.  

Under the “Celebrate in Bracebridge all summer long” banner, the participating Festivals and Events include:

• Muskoka Pioneer Power: Farm and Forest, July 10-12, 2009

• Muskoka Summerfest, July 10-12, 2009

• Art in the Heart: Discover Emerging Artists, Weekends July 11, to August 16, 2009

• Muskoka Arts & Crafts, Summer Show, July 17-19, 2009

• Cottage Country Comedy Festival, July 31, 2009 and August 1, 2009

• Midnight Madness, Downtown BIA, July 31, 2009

• Bracebridge Highland Games, August 15, 2009

• The Muskoka Beer Festival, August 29, 2009

The Town of Bracebridge provided some seed funding to help with costs and staff from the Economic Development Department have coordinated the development of the initial marketing materials.

“By bringing all of these local experts to the table, we’ve not only created a festival-oriented promotional campaign, but also provided the opportunity to share best practices amongst the organizers”, stated Cheryl Kelley, Director of Economic Development. “It was a great experience watching the exchange of information on things such as suppliers, logistics, security and marketing. We expect that over time, the network membership will grow to include events/organizers from events happening in the other seasons.”

“As one of the newer events in Bracebridge, being able to make new connections through the Festival Network has been a valuable experience. I believe that in future years, working together will benefit all of our events and the community as a whole”, said Beth Wilson of Muskoka Summerfest.

Holly Goldthorp of the Bracebridge Highland Games added, “Our event is relatively new and operates on a limited budget with a reliance on our dedicated volunteers. By becoming involved with the Festival Network, we are able to grow our marketing reach while at the same time offering reciprocal distribution of Festival Network promotional materials at the various Scottish Games that we attend throughout Ontario”.

The Festival Network’s web address is www.bracebridgefestivals.com and provides links to each organization’s website that provide specific details about each event. In addition to the website, the group has launched its marketing campaign under the banner of “Celebrate in Bracebridge all summer long”.

The Bracebridge Festival Network was formed in May 2009 and is an initiative in support of the Town’s Festival and Event Strategy and supports the goals of the Community-based Strategic Plan adopted by Council in 2008. For information about each event, follow the links from www.bracebridgefestivals.com.

For more information about the Bracebridge Festival Network, contact the Economic Development Department, Town of Bracebridge, 705-645-5264.

Media Release
Brochure

MAY 25, 2009
Art in the Heart Jury Impressed With Applications

The jury is back! The Town of Bracebridge, along with partners Muskoka Arts &and Crafts, Inc., and Muskoka Small Business Centre is pleased to announce that 19 artists have been accepted into the Art in the Heart program. This initiative, designed to assist new and emerging artists by providing an opportunity to showcase and sell their work, will take place in public spaces and alleyways along Manitoba Street in Bracebridge this summer.

Elene Freer, Curator/Coordinator for Muskoka Arts and Crafts indicated that, "Once again, the jury was extremely pleased with the calibre of artwork submitted. We’ve had submissions from many different mediums from painters to photographers, wood workers to beaders, and a sketch artist/cartoonist". Freer went on to say, "It’s not surprising to us that Muskoka has a multitude of exciting new artists just waiting for an opportunity like Art in the Heart."

According to Deena Brock, the Managing Consultant of the Muskoka Small Business Centre, "A number things need to happen between now and the first weekend of the show. We have organized two workshops designed to help the artists hone their exhibit and sales skills to ready them to sell to the public. Art in the Heart participants are able to attend for free but the workshops themselves are open to the general public for a fee." The next workshop will be held on Saturday May 30, 2009.

Art in the Heart organizers are continuing to accept applications for the program. Cheryl Kelley, the Town’s Director of Economic Development said, "This is only our second year of this program and we are thrilled with the level of interest so far. We’ve come to realize that that this sector of the arts community needs a lot of support and guidance when applying for their first show. So we want them to know that applications are still being accepted as long as space is available."

This is the second season for Art In The Heart. Launched as a two-week pilot in 2008, the program has now been expanded to encompass 7 weekends beginning July 11 and running Saturdays and Sundays until August 23. Art in the Heart happens in the alleys and public spaces along Manitoba Street. The public is encouraged to come out and meet the artists and view their artwork.

More information on the program is available at www.theheartofmuskoka.com and follow the links from the home page.

JANUARY 15, 2009
Muskoka Arts & Crafts to Produce a Guidebook

Muskoka Arts & Crafts has announced plans that the organization is producing the Muskoka Arts Guide 2009. The Muskoka Arts Guide is a beautiful, high quality and full colour publication that’s sure to be the definitive guide to the visual arts in Muskoka and a much sought after resource to be used year round by tourists, cottagers and local residents alike.

Approximately 50,000 copies if this 9½" x 8½ " publication will be distributed throughout Muskoka and along the Highway 11 and 400 corridor. A Muskoka Arts Guide web site will enable people to view the guide online as well as to download a PDF version.

In addition to featuring many of Muskoka’s artists, the guide will also be chock full of information about Muskoka Arts & Crafts and its many exciting events and programs. 

Muskoka Arts & Crafts' Guidebook