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.

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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!

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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.

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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.

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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. 

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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.

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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. 

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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!

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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.

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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.

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Join us Saturday, August 13th at dusk for a visual Art Bingo and a BBQ.

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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.

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Where do we go from here? Let’s raise some questions together collectively to find out.

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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.

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Jenn Goodwin, developed a procession to lead the community into spring and encouraging us to reconnect with each other, ourselves, and our bodies. 

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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.

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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. 

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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!

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This Giving Tuesday and throughout December, join us to form a critical mass of support for the arts! Become a member, today!

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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. 

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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. 

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