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:
Our hearts are with our friends at Beyond the Blue Box this morning. Woke up to news that the main building has been destryoed by a fire.
Yesterday we tallied our sales from our Thinking Beyond the Blue Box art show & sale. After paying artists 50% of proceeds, CM and BBB split the remaining proceeds of approx $1500 each. I suspect BBB will need many more donations in the coming days to recover.
If you visit their website there is a link to their Canada Helps page to donate and e-transfers can be sent directly to them as well at bluebox@eagle.ca.
beyondthebluebox.com
3 days ago Time for another show! I love Beyond the Blue Box and all their staff and I am devastated for them today.
Oh noooo!! Devastating news for so many folks I know and care about!!
Dont fear everyone! We have been working hard today looking for a new "temprorary" location. Stay tuned!!!
Terrible News.
Terrible news, what a blow to a beloved institution in our community!
Oh no, so terrible 😞. One thing I know, this community will rally around them. ❤️
Im so sad about this.
Load more
Our hearts are with our friends at Beyond the Blue Box this morning. Woke up to news that the main building has been destryoed by a fire.
Yesterday we tallied our sales from our Thinking Beyond the Blue Box art show & sale. After paying artists 50% of proceeds, CM and BBB split the remaining proceeds of approx $1500 each. I suspect BBB will need many more donations in the coming days to recover.
If you visit their website there is a link to their Canada Helps page to donate and e-transfers can be sent directly to them as well at bluebox@eagle.ca.
beyondthebluebox.com
Time for another show! I love Beyond the Blue Box and all their staff and I am devastated for them today.
Oh noooo!! Devastating news for so many folks I know and care about!!
Dont fear everyone! We have been working hard today looking for a new "temprorary" location. Stay tuned!!!
Terrible News.
Terrible news, what a blow to a beloved institution in our community!
Oh no, so terrible 😞. One thing I know, this community will rally around them. ❤️
Im so sad about this.
Upcoming &
Recent Events
We're off to see the Wizard – Costume & Puppet Parade! (Oct 20)
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 12th!
Thinking Beyond the Blue Box – Art Show & Sale (Aug 12-26)
Critical Mass and Beyond The Blue Box have collaborated to present an ART SHOW & SALE this August. This art show reimagines and revamps thrift store finds into new art pieces, and further diverts waste from the landfill. ALL artists and aspiring artists are welcome to participate in this show. Registration is on now until July 28th. All artwork must be submitted by August 3rd.
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.
The Goose Ball: Saturday, May 6
Get your tickets today!
Snapshot of What's On this Spring
Spring is right around the corner, and we’re kicking off the season with a Vinyl Night and Membership Drive. We’ll be at Float Your Fanny with our hacked Knitting Machine, and cotton candy on Easter weekend; and we’re launching a new event – The Goose Ball – the first Saturday of May!
Vinyl Night – Vol 2: Thursday, Mar 23
We’re kicking off Spring with a Vinyl Night and Membership Drive on March 23rd. Come hang out and cut loose with us! Bring your fave vinyl.
ILLUMINIGHTS: Nov 25, Dec 2, Dec 16
A winter series of Outdoor Art Illuminations will be displayed in 3 locations in downtown Port Hope for 3 nights, during the Candlelight Festival. Critical Mass collaborated with Ottawa-based new media specialists and artist-run centre, Artengine, to curate this pilot projection art series, made possible with funding from RTO8.
The works presented – Fluid Light – aim to offer a reflection on the fluid relationship between ourselves, change, and the technology we live with. The hope is that these artworks will help illuminate the winter nights of Port Hope, offering a playful and unique perspective on who we are when we live with so much technology.
Dates: Friday, Nov 25th, Friday, Dec 2nd, and Friday, Dec 16th
Times: 6:00 p.m – 8:00 p.m.
Featured artists include:
Baron Lanteigne, Laura Taler, and Mercedes Ventura
Illumination Site Locations include: Port Hope Public Library (Mary J Benson branch), The Little Station and Port Hope Knights of Columbus Hall.
4th Annual Pumpkin Parade, Nov 1
You’re invited to the 4th 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!
Free Film Screening, Nov 1
At sundown, enjoy a free screening of Colin Carvey’s Long Halloween, a funny, black & white silent slasher film by Two Blue Shirts Productions! Projected on the Little Station, at the Pumpkin Parade.
Silent Auction Nov 1 to 4
The ‘All Aboard’ Exhibition kicks off a Silent Auction during the Pumpkin Parade in the Little Station. Come see the whimsical small world — a cardboard version of Port Hope, created by The Department of Illumination, and then bid on your faves! Proceeds to be split between Critical Mass and DOI.
Snapshot of What's On in October
October has kicked off our 10th year as an arts organization in Port Hope! Come celebrate with us. Bring the kids out on the 28th for a Downtown Port Hope Trick or Treat. We’ll have candy at the Little Station for you. Come see our current exhibit by The Department of Illumination, and have a chance to win your bid of your favourite Port Hope cardboard creations at the Silent Auction Nov 1-4.
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.
Snapshot of What's On in September
September is one of the busiest months in Port Hope for events! Here’s a look at what we have planned for September! Come meet and co-create an idyllic cardboard version of Port Hope with our final artists and residents for the 2022 season – The Department of Illumination! You will find them weekends at the Little Station, and out at signature events such as Fall Fair and Cultivate.
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.
Snapshot of What's On in August
August is Arts Month in Port Hope! We’re delighted to showcase Port Hope based artist Oli Goldsmith for our August Artist in Residence. To register for a workshop rsvp at info@criticalmassart.com.
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.