Critical Mass
A Centre for Contemporary Art
Welcome to Critical Mass! We have exciting news!!
NEW! Opportunity for upcoming Soundscapes Project: Call for Artists, Coders/App Developers, and a UX Consultant
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 to work with a user experience consultant and coders / 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.
Calls for Artist Submissions and RFPs from Coders/App Developers and UX Consultants are now Live. Apply by: September 17, 2020.
If you missed our info sessions, here’s a recording of the slideshow.
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.
What’s On
August 10 – August 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 – 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 moreJuly 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 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!
Call for submissions for the Port Hope Soundscapes pilot project are now closed. Thank you all for your incredible proposals! We look forward to reviewing them all! We appreciate the time, thought and creativity you have put into your proposals. We will notify all candidates of our decision by October 6th. ✨⭐️
Some very special folks at Critical Mass have been nominated for a 2019 Arts & Culture Civic Award! . The award recognizes the contributions of the esteemed #EdGreenwood and the volunteer organizing committee of the Critical Massive Adventure — D&D Festival last summer for their contributions to arts and culture in Port Hope . The virtual civic awards program will be broadcast on the local Cogeco station (channel 700) at 8:00 pm tonight, and will be available for online viewing tomorrow at www.porthope.ca/civic-awards. . Check out our stories for some special shoutouts!
Today is the day! Submissions due by midnight tonight! We’re so very excited to review all the applications for our upcoming Port Hope soundscapes project. Thank you to everyone applying!
Deadline for artist, coder and UX submissions for Port Hope Soundscapes project is tomorrow (September 17) by 11:59 p.m. Link in bio. Good luck everyone! We can’t wait to review your submissions.
We’re chatting with our upcoming artist-in-residence @schuylerdawson tonight at 6 PM (EST). Free to join in! Zoom registration link in bio!
Takeover Tuesday is back and we are delighted to ‘virtually’ introduce you to @schuylerdawson who will be taking over our social accounts from California, and will be doing his artist residency with us next fall! . Be sure to follow our Instagram and Facebook stories for some behind the scenes looks at Schuyler’s past work and to learn a bit about his process. Schuyler will also be giving an artist talk this Thursday at 6PM. Registration details to follow! . Schuyler Dawson was born and raised at the intersection of urban and rural in Marin County, California, on the outskirts of the San Francisco Bay Area. He received his BFA from San Diego State University and MFA from Alfred University in Alfred, NY. When he is not working as an educator or on his practice, Schuyler works as a labourer and carpenter, a cross-generationally occupied profession in his family. . His work explores the relationship to labor through our personal experiences and histories, as well as how we relate to the environments we inhabit as beings of agency. Through site specific installations and photography he creates moments of play, wonder, curiosity, and mystery to give viewers pause to contemplate the curious nature of our existence. His most recent series uses cast concrete hands to juxtaposes our impermanence with a durable material, highlighting the lasting effects we have on our cultural and natural environments. . . . #takeovertuesday #bts #artistinresidence #contemporaryart #sculpture #criticalmassart #porthope . Residency made possible with funding from @ontrillium
The latest news from Facebook The civic awards ceremony is now online! 🙂The virtual Civic Awards Ceremony is now available online. Congratulations to all our deserving recipients and thanks again to all the nominators who make this awards program possible. For a complete list of recipients and to watch the celebration visit: www.porthope.ca/civic-awards 13 hours ago 
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