“This is what is special about our Spotlight Series – you really get to know the performers, you are close enough to touch, and when a note strikes deep, it vibrates the floor!”
Olinda Casimiro
Both the performers and audience found themselves unexpectedly singing together at the Art Gallery of Northumberland’s recent Spotlight Series 4 event on June 9.
Musician-author Ted Staunton and violinist, fiddler, and composer David Shewchuk were the stars of the event. But later in the evening, they generously invited the audience to co-star by singing along with them.
“The in-person gallery setting provided an intimate and personal experience, including a sing-a-long!” says Olinda Casimiro, executive director of the Art Gallery of Northumberland. “We were delighted to welcome the community to this annual fundraiser in support of Arts Education.”
The Spotlight Series is in its 4th year. AGN board chair Michael Maynard says the event engaged and inspired guests, and reinforces the gallery’s important role within the cultural sectors of Cobourg and Northumberland. “This latest Spotlight Series event was terrific – a wonderful mix of visual art, live music and storytelling.”
Toni Galea, who attended the event, says: “I thoroughly enjoyed Spotlight Series 4. I loved the diversity of the performances but also the commonality of their experiences.”
And that, Casimiro says, is the magical ingredient. “This is what is special about our Spotlight Series – you really get to know the performers, you are close enough to touch, and when a note strikes deep, it vibrates the floor!”
Funds raised by the event have been used to support arts programming for children and adults. In 2019, the funds supported children from Rebound Child and Youth Services to attend the AGN summer camps. This year, the funding will be used for the school tours program and other events.
The AGN is a regional public art gallery whose mandate is to “promote and provide access to art and related programs for the enjoyment and education of the people of Northumberland County”.
Despite the pandemic-associated lockdowns and restrictions, the AGN’s success helps explain why it is one of the gems of Northumberland’s busy arts scene. As well as having a vibrant online presence, the public gallery has held a number of well-received events to serve and engage the community during these last 2 years. Those events include View from the Easel, the Art to Go project – a huge success reaching many families at home during the pandemic – and the Mini Art Gallery project, which is still going strong. Teachers have also utilized the AGN’s programs during this time.
The Spotlight Series returns in October. To learn more about the AGN and its programs, visit: https://www.artgalleryofnorthumberland.ca/ To become a member of the AGN, click here.
NFOTA is delighted to have the AGN as an artistic partner. For tickets to the festival’s Opening Ceremony, Reception and a chance to visit 2 AGN art exhibits on Friday September 16, please visit: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/northumberlandfestivalofthearts/706887
Northumberland Festival of the Arts will take place across Northumberland County from September 16 – October 2, 2022.
Northumberland Festival of the Arts is a volunteer-run not-for-profit arts organization.
To volunteer for NFOTA, please contact info@festivalofthearts.ca
To help support our events, please send your donation by Interac to fundraising@festivalofthearts.ca