What’s On Now
Artists: Chrissy Poitras, Kyle Topping, Jennie Suddick (Spark Box Studio) | Photo supplied by: Chrissy Poitras
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For the most up-to-date news and communications regarding our events and programming, visit our Facebook page here.
Our latest post:
📣GOT QUESTIONS re: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS?📣
Critical Mass invites artists from across Canada to submit work for Post-It Port Hope Exhibition + Sale! Submissions have been coming in and so have a few questions. Have a look at our FAQs on this post as you get your submissions ready for us by August 4th.
All artistic mediums are welcome (e.g. painting, printmaking, drawing, collage, cyanotype, etc.) All work must be created on a post-it note that is 3 x 3 inches. Artists are invited to submit as many post-it notes as they would like.
Exhibition Dates: August 8- August 22, 2025
Opening Reception: August 8, 2025
Fill out the submission form to participate
→ link in bio!
Deadline to submit: August 4, 2025
#calltoartists #criticalmassart #porthopeontario #postitnoteart
2 days ago
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📣GOT QUESTIONS re: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS?📣
Critical Mass invites artists from across Canada to submit work for Post-It Port Hope Exhibition + Sale! Submissions have been coming in and so have a few questions. Have a look at our FAQs on this post as you get your submissions ready for us by August 4th.
All artistic mediums are welcome (e.g. painting, printmaking, drawing, collage, cyanotype, etc.) All work must be created on a post-it note that is 3 x 3 inches. Artists are invited to submit as many post-it notes as they would like.
Exhibition Dates: August 8- August 22, 2025
Opening Reception: August 8, 2025
Fill out the submission form to participate
→ link in bio!
Deadline to submit: August 4, 2025
#calltoartists #criticalmassart #porthopeontario #postitnoteart
0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Upcoming &
Recent Events
Post-It Port Hope Exhibition & Sale
Call for Submissions is OPEN until AUG 4! Post-It Port Hope Exhibition + Sale invites Canadian artists to ditch the expensive canvas and paper and instead create a unique piece of artwork on a post-it note! Exhibition Dates: Aug 8th – 22nd. Read more for eligibility and submission details.
Mid-Week Pick Me Ups – Jul & Aug
Mid-Week Pick Me Up is a free coffee morning initiative in support of our downtown community, providing a welcome mid-week break from the construction with complimentary coffee, treats, and positive affirmations. Every Wednesday in Jul & Aug, 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. | Lent Lane.
Live Drawing Photo Booth - Jul & Aug
Drop by our Live Drawing ‘faux-to’ booth EVERY Saturday, this July & August! This summer initiative is in support of downtown residents and visitors to Port Hope during the final Walton Street reconstructin phase. This weekly smile is supported by Dr. Anna Tucka.
Walton Street Construction - Support Local
Port Hope’s downtown core is currently under reconstruction! It’s crucial that now more than ever, we shop, dine, and support LOCAL. Even amidst the construction, local businesses are eager to engage with the community.
Ways you can support local:
- Volunteer at a local organization
- Consider all your local dining options
- Visit a local shop
- Purchase a shop, dine, show bundle special from Cameco Capitol Arts Centre
Follow porthopedigswalton on Instagram or view the Walton Street Construction Website for updates and more information.
Youth Artist-in-Residence - McKenna Kroeger
Meet McKenna, Critical Mass’s new Youth Artist-in-Residence throughout the summer. Learn more about McKenna’s projects and residency here.
Saturday Lent Lane Art Activations
Looking for some fun summer activities? We are bringing free, accessible contemporary art activitities to the downtown core on Saturdays!
Our Saturday installations are:
- Designed for ALL ages, interests, and experience levels on a drop-in basis
- A different craft/activity each week with all supplies provided
- Crafts to be taken home
- Light rain and sun protected by tent sails provided in Lent Lane
Please note that programming will not run during inclement weather and Critical Mass reserves. theright to cancel or postpone any event. All of our event details and updates are provided on our social media pages.
Walton Street Port Hope Love Ribbon Installation
Have you walked down Walton Street and noticed all of the beautiful, colourful ribbons hanging from the construction fence? Yes – this was started by us!
Our goal this summer has been to increase people’s engagement in the downtown core and to help ensure the vibrancy of the Port Hope community remains even amidst the Walton Street reconstruction project.
Have a brief love message you’d like to dedicate to Port Hope? Please add your ribbon!
We want you to participate! It’s simple:
1) Take a ribbon
2) Write your message
3) Loop it on the fence
Please take photos of the installation as more ribbons are added, and send them to us as a direct message on our Instagram page.
Frog & Toad Live Right Here
Artists Katie Flindall and Meghan Sheffield led over 120 students from grades 4 through 12 to reimagine a natural world inspired by Arnold Lobell’s Frog & Toad books. In partnership with the Capitol Theatre, the collaborative art exhibition is on display until June 2nd at the Capitol Theatre during thier Spring production of A Year with Frog & Toad.
GOOSE BALL (May, 11)
New York has the Met Gala. Port Hope has the Goose Ball!
On the Saturday after the Met Gala (Saturday, May 11th), hundreds are invited to gather in the Fall Fair Centre at Port Hope’s Town Park Recreation Centre to celebrate art, culture and community at the 2nd Annual Goose Ball.
Annual Candlelight Festival, Friday, Nov 24, 6PM-9PM
Join the carol walk down Walton Street to the annual park lighting up ceremony, then join us at the Little Station for some festive animations and a holiday classic projected on the building. Shop the community artisans and vendors at the night market in Lent Lane, take some pics in the holiday photobooth, and listen to vintage holiday tunes from DJ Del. Plus, take in late night shopping, free gift wrapping, and carriage rides throughout downtown Port Hope.
We're off to see the Wizard – Costume & Puppet Parade! Friday, October 20 – 6PM
The Wizard of Oz was first seen at The Capitol Theatre in 1939. Follow the yellow brick road with us on October 20, 2023 to experience it in the very same place! Join us for an illuminated Wizard of Oz themed costume and puppet parade to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Vintage Film Festival, and the return of Wizard of Oz on the BIG screen. Click for parade and workshop registration details!
Letting Go – Collaborative Art Show & Sale (Oct 4-13)
This June & July 10 artists (2 groups of 5) participated in a residency project resulting in 10 collaborative artworks. See all 10 artworks at Ganaraska Art & Framing from October 4th to 14th, with a closing Artist Reception on Friday, October 13th!
Snapshot of What's On in 2023
We kicked off 2023 (our 10th year) with a membership drive and event (Vinyl Night) and a new Spring gala event – The Goose Ball – the first Saturday of May! This year is full of artist collaborations, new community partnerships, art socials, and of course, community engagement. Together we can harness the power of contemporary art to build a vibrant, connected and more inclusive community.
5th Annual Pumpkin Parade, Nov 1
You’re invited to the 5th Annual Pumpkin Parade! This free event takes place on the night after Halloween and gives the community an opportunity to show off their creative designs and display their jack-o-lanterns for all to see one last time!
Artist Talk & All Aboard Exhibit September 25 @ 5PM
Come see the miniature cardboard version of Port Hope that our artists in residence have been creating this September! Sunday, September 25th @ 5PM. The show will be on until November 1st and you will have an opportunity to bid on your fave cardboard creations in a Silent Auction from November 1st to November 4th.
Boxtopia! Saturday, Sep 3rd
Join us Saturday, September 3rd in Memorial Park (from 10 to 3) to help our artists in residence kick off their residency with a BIG cardboard community build! What does your idyllic town look like? Let’s build it together!
September Artists in Residence
During their September residency, Krista Dalby and Nella Casson of the Department of Illumination hope to spark our imaginations through the theme of train travel and will engage the community to help them build an idyllic model scale cardboard version of Port Hope.
Art Bingo & BBQ
Join us Saturday, August 13th at dusk for a visual Art Bingo and a BBQ.
August Artist in Residence
During his August residency, Oli Goldsmith hopes to spark viewers’ imaginations to rediscover their surroundings through ‘new eyes’ – through his own re-discovery and artistic representation of Port Hope.
Meet our June Artists in Residence!
NEL2R’s residency project will explore the coalesence of posthumanism, digital intimacy, and contemporary environmental-social discourse. Machine-learning and AI meets installation & performance art, created with Port Hope archival data, community anecdotes, folklore, and more!
Raising Big Questions – West Beach
Where do we go from here? Let’s raise some questions together collectively to find out.
Port Hope Borderlines
Multi-media artist Jessica Thompson uses sound to create new meanings of place. On May 28th, she led a soundwalk in downtown Port Hope. She will return on June 26th for a Borderlines workshop.
Jenn Goodwin – Procession of Hope
Jenn Goodwin, developed a procession to lead the community into spring and encouraging us to reconnect with each other, ourselves, and our bodies.
Tracey-Mae Chambers: Hope and Healing Canada
Rain date – Wednesday, December 15th – Hamilton-based Métis artist, Tracey-Mae Chambers spreads her message of Hope and Healing with red yarn installation on the front lawn at Port Hope Town Hall. Residents are invited to watch and to engage with Chambers as she works on her art installation throughout the day.
2021 Candlelight Festival
We will host a nocturnal spectacle outside the Little Station in Lent Lane on November 26th. Join us for a projected and live-typed textravaganza An Eye For An Ear featuring local writers, poets and artists. PLUS, drop in to the Little Sation toget a behind the scenes glimpse at a whimsical winter artist workshop. Artist and puppet-maker, Kelly Kirkham will be working on creating a lot of puppets for her upcoming show Sightseer at the AGN, Jan 8 to Feb 26, 2022.
Port Hope Arts Impact Survey
We’re considering some big ideas for making contemporary art more prominent in Port Hope, and we really want to hear what sort of arts activities and programming you would like to see, do, and experience!
Become a Member!
This Giving Tuesday and throughout December, join us to form a critical mass of support for the arts! Become a member, today!
#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.
#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.