Critical Mass
A Centre for Contemporary Art
Welcome to Critical Mass! We have exciting news!
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, and because we were so impressed by the submissions, we selected 2 additional artists for 3-week residencies funded by a Community Grant from the Municipality of Port Hope! These residencies were set in motion to take place this May through October in our little train station, in Port Hope, Ontario. However, in March, COVID-19 happened. The world had to pause, and adapt.
We had to push back our residencies 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. Next up, Susan Campbell!
What’s On
July 7 – July 14
Port Hope Drift: Walking & Drawing Challenge
Show Critical Mass artist in residence, Susan Campbell, your favourite places to walk in Port Hope!
Read moreJune – July 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 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 moreDec 8
Critical Massive Adventure: Zine Reveal & Artist Talk
Zine Reveal & Artist Talk with Eli Gibson
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 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
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 more Find us on Instagram!
Takeover Tuesday is back and we have a new artist-in-residence for you to meet (Susan Campbell) and a new challenge to take on! . Be sure to check in on our Instagram and Facebook stories for some peaks at Susan’s past work and process. You can also follow Susan at her instagram handle @susancampbell922. . Susan Campbell is an interdisciplinary artist working at the intersection of lens-based media, sculpture installation and intervention. She obtained an MFA in Art, Media and Design from OCADU after extensive studies in design and digital media in Ireland. . Campbell investigates signs and patterns of urban intensification as played out on development sites, parking lots and public sidewalks. Her work frequently explores physical mapping practices as a means to interpret and reflect on the design dynamics found within the urban landscape, confronting issues brought about by the intensification of urban development. Her work prompts people to think about and question the economic frameworks that underpin their built environment, particularly how such frameworks engender a visual culture that is predominantly techno-graphic in nature. . Campbell currently teaches art and design at OCAD University and Durham College in Ontario, Canada. . This July, Susan joins us virtually, until she can join us physically next Spring for her residency in Port Hope. Help Susan get to know Port Hope in the meantime, by sharing some of your favourite places around town with her! . Details for the Walking & Drawing Challenge are in the Youtube video link in our bio. Map available for download at criticalmassart.com. . #takeovertuesday #bts #mapping #drawing #contemporaryart #canadianartists #susancampbell #criticalmassart #porthope Residency made possible by @ontrillium
Critical Mass and the @municipalityofporthope are proud to announce the winners of the #frommyfrontporch Canada Day Art Challenge!!! Thank you to everyone that participated. Congratulations to: Samantha Clark @samantha.clark.775 Canadian Pastime category winner @alex.may.mccracken Canadian Dish category winner Sarah Isabel Wickman @faeyriiheartcosplay Canadian Animal category winner And... although there were no entries for Canadian artist or artwork, we were smitten with the entry (indigenous totem flag designs, and hockey stick teepee!) from Nicole DeMille! @nicoledemillecakedesign Congratulations everyone! We will private message you to arrange drop off of your prizes! Thanks again!
Sharing this great reading list for time well spent in the hammock this Canada Day!
Well folks, that's all for today. The pie is done and I can't wait to try it, pie is a breakfast food, right? Thanks for spending time with me today, it's been a slice!
My husband, Ed, adding lights to our front porch display just before it started to rain. The giant paper mache veggies were made by me a few years ago and are displayed yearly around harvest time on our porch. With everyone spending time close to home (and going for many, many walks to break up the monotony) we decided to pull them out of storage early to give our neighbours something fun to look at while they stroll around the neighbourhood. . Sidenote: If you've been to a Critical Mass event over the past couple of years then you may recognize Ed, he tirelessly puts up tents, hangs lights, and generally fixes whatever needs to be fixed. Thanks for being awesome @etothed101 #papermache #papermacheart
Oh look! A giant budgie in its natural habitat. I love making homemade costumes for the kids and over the years they've been everything from the Stay Puft Marshmallow Man to the Demogorgan for Halloween. Francis, my youngest, loves getting dressed up for any occasion and thinks it's hilarious to surprise the neighbours while in costume. #lookoutforthatbird #bigbudgie #budgiemask
The latest news from Facebook As an artist and newcomer to Port Hope, Critical Mass artist-in-residence Susan Campbell wants to enlist your help to create a sensory map of the area. 5 days ago
You will be provided with a map and asked to plot out your favourite places in Port Hope.
Maps can be picked up at The Little Station on Lent Lane, or downloaded at criticalmassart.com/project/porthopedrift/.
You are encouraged to write notes (a memory, a recollection, etc.) or draw directly onto the map. Feel free to use your own map, or scrap of paper, if you wish! Please submit your maps to us by next Tuesday, July 14th.
Based on your suggestions, Susan will then walk from one place to another, mapping and drawing what she sees, learns, and understands about these special places, and then share those results with us.
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