Critical Mass
A Centre for Contemporary Art
Welcome to Critical Mass! We have exciting news!!
We’re currently developing a Port Hope Soundscape APP and walking tour!
This 2020 soundscape project, made possible by funding from Ontario Trillium Foundation, is the first of its kind in Port Hope and has been created to provide professional sound artists with an opportunity to work with a user experience consultant and app developers to animate Port Hope cultural and heritage spaces with immersive sound art experiences delivered by mobile phones on a GPS-guided app. The goal of this project is to enrich how locals and visitors alike experience Port Hope’s identity, by using smartphone geolocation capabilities to explore the town’s landmarks and local stories.
Have Port Hope stories you would like to share? Please connect with us!
We’re launching an Artist-in-Residence Program!
In February, Critical Mass reviewed 113 submissions from artists across Canada and from 14 countries around the globe. We offered 4 socially-engaged contemporary artists a paid four-week residency, funded by an Ontario Trillium SEED Grant. We were so impressed by the submissions, that we selected 2 additional artists for 3-week residencies funded by a Community Grant from the Municipality of Port Hope!
The residencies were set in motion to take place this May through October in our little train station. However, in March, COVID-19 happened. As the world had to pause, and adapt, so did we. Our residencies have been rescheduled until next spring through fall, but we look forward to giving our Artists in Residence a hearty welcome to Port Hope in 2021. In the meantime we will introduce these amazing artists to you one-by-one through a mini series of ‘virtual’ residencies!!!
First up, Lucas Morneau. Then came, Susan Campbell, and now Jay Dart is our first artist in residence at the Little Station from August 10th to 22nd. Cécile Hug joins us virtually from Paris this October, during Culture Days.
What’s On
Starts Nov 27th
Colour Me, Port Hope – Candlelight Festival 2020
Come to Lent Lane this November & December to immerse yourself in the art! Pose in front of the Colour Me, Port Hope illustrated selfie panels or colour your own version of our postcard and send to a friend or loved one that you miss, this winter.
Read moreNov 1
2nd Annual Pumpkin Parade
Bring your pumpkins out to shine one last time at the 2nd Annual Pumpkin Parade on Sunday, November 1st – the day after Halloween!
Read moreJuly 1
#Frommyfrontporch Canada Day Art Challenge
Using items you have around your home, create a display on your front porch, lawn, balcony, or in your windows to showcase what you love most about Canada!
Read moreJune 11
Makers Night & Artist Talk with Lucas Morneau
All makers, artists, and Granny square aficionados welcome! We’re making Granny squares and chatting with interdisciplinary artist Lucas Morneau from Newfoundland and Labrador. To register…
Read moreDec 8
Critical Massive Adventure: Zine Reveal & Artist Talk
Zine Reveal & Artist Talk with Eli Gibson
Read moreApply by Nov 27th
We're Hiring!
We are hiring for 2 youth employment contract positions. We’re looking to add a Communications Specialist and a Research Archivist to our team! Click for job descriptions and to application details.
Read moreOct 3-10
Herbarium & Plant House Making Workshops
We’re making pages of a traditional Herbarium and wax dipped plant houses to showcase Port Hope’s local flora and pave the way for Parisian artist Cecile Hug’s 2021 residency with Critical Mass.
Read moreJuly 7-14
Port Hope Drift: Walking & Drawing Challenge
Show Critical Mass artist in residence, Susan Campbell, your favourite places to walk in Port Hope!
Read moreMar 18 – May 8
#Frommywindow Art Challenge
Critical Mass is calling on the artists, kids, families, and businesses of Port Hope to join the #frommywindow movement to spread hope and joy in our community during this challenging time of the global COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing.
Read moreNov 29, 2019
Port Hope Candlelight Festival
The second annual candlelight festival and Christmas night market. Including two shadow puppet workshops to prepare to light up the night!
Read moreNov-Dec 2020
We Are Here – Community Art Installation
Critical Mass invites you to be in good company this winter. We Are Here is a community art installation made up of the smiling faces of Port Hope and its visitors. Be part of the art. Send us your best selfie!
Read moreAug 10-22
Meet Critical Mass Artist-in-Residence, Jay Dart
Drop by the Little Station on Lent Lane during studio drop-in hours between 2pm to 4pm (Mon-Fri), to see Jay’s work in progress, and chat about your experiences living in Port Hope/Northumberland.
Read moreJune 18
Crocheted Beer Cozies 'virtual' Workshop
Learn to crochet beer cozies that will keep your hands warm, your beer cold, and your wallet full! Hosted by fibre artist and Critical Mass Artist-in-Residence Lucas Morneau! To register…
Read moreMay 12 – June 15
#Homebodies Art Challenge
Critical Mass has a fun new challenge for all the artists, families, and roommates sheltering at home right now. We invite you to participate in the #homebodies art challenge while we all continue to spend more time at home during this COVID-19 pandemic.
Read more Find us on Instagram!
I spy some familiar faces! Be part of We Are Here - a community art project connecting the people of Port Hope. Get your face included by DMing us your best selfie this weekend! We’re putting our first round of bunting together this week. . . . . #criticalmass #criticalmassart #contemporaryart #WeAreHere #installation #community #porthope #communityart #bunting #covidart #localssupportlocal #supportlocal #local #downtown #publicart #urbanart #openairgallery #artunites #artinisolation #artconnects
Forest View is today’s image from my CMS_Art_Projects exhibition Other echoes (at home) on artsy.net. The light on the snow this morning reminded me of this image. The exhibition runs until December 2 when the work will be added to my artsy.net portfolio. Forest View, 5.5”x12”, 24cm x 30.5cm, litho and relief on rag paper, 2020. $75.00 #naturalcollector #yaelbrotman #libby_hague #dougguildford #kellymccray7590 #jenn_rose_law #stewartpenelope #aprilhickox #freudsbride101 catherine heard #smokestack.studio #printmaking #linocut #mezzotint #screenprint #intaglio #lithography #relief #painting #botanical #landscape #stilllife #openstudio_toronto #the_jpp #ceramics #iloveporthope #criticalmassartporthope #criticalmassart #canadianartists #artistsoninstagram
We’re hiring for 2 youth contract positions — Communications Specialist and Research Archivist! Job descriptions and application details on our website. Link in bio.
We have an exciting new project in the works for Lent Lane, this winter! Send us a copy of your best selfie to info@criticalmassart.com or post on instagram and tag us (@criticalmassart) to be part of the most community-centric bunting you have ever seen! . . #WeAreHere #PortHope #CriticalMassArt
We had some special visitors this weekend! Our soundscape artists new friends (Jean-Francois Primeau, and @hamilton_perambulatory_unitartists @donnaakrey and @taien.ngchan came for a walk around town this weekend and took some initial field recordings! Thank you Port Hope United Church and St.John’s for playing those organ pipes for us! And thanks @capitoltheatreporthope for the tour! #porthopesoundscapes #criticalmassart
This weekend was wonderful for so many reasons! (We’ll post more about that in our stories!) But when you get the call from the @capitoltheatreporthope to enter a #capitolchristmastree over the weekend, you call on the Kirkham sisters! Thank you @plaidraspberries and @kellykirkham for bringing a #criticalmass of handmade Holiday magic to our 2020 tree. . We hope you take the opportunity to visit the Capitol for the 24th annual festival of trees, bid on some trees, and support this annual fundraiser. . . . #criticalmassart #capitolchristmas #porthope
The latest news from Facebook Hey Port Hope! One of our soundwalk artists is looking for some willing participants to Take them for a Walk (virtually, that is, via phone or video chat). 11 hours ago I'm interested!
Donna Akrey of Hamilton Perambulatory Unit is looking to work with Port Hope residents (kids, teenagers, adults and seniors in particular) to talk about Port Hope places that hold meaning for them.
The artists will then go on walks of those places to produce some sound art for their walking tour sound experience.
Let us know if you would like to participate! 🙂
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