“I don’t like the idea of a quiet library.”

Patrick Muldoon is a “going concern” in the community of Warkworth. Ask anybody who attends any of the events the library hosts – from play-reading to watercolour lessons, drum circles to yoga, and more.

Patrick was a retired rural elementary school teacher when he took the position of Branch Supervisor at the local library. His dream? To make the space a community hub, where people could come together and share their love of not only books but of all arts.

NFOTA’s Lois Gordon sat down with Patrick at the Warkworth Library to talk about arts and the upcoming Festival.

Why is art important for the communities in Northumberland County?

It’s really important for people to slow down – it’s one of the reasons people come to Northumberland. You come away from the city for the lifestyle we have here, but you need places where arts are alive. Art takes us out of the world of the internet and the crazy speed that everything else is moving, and slows us down. Participating in art has to be an intentional act. It’s about people being able to express their experiences, and being able to connect.

What has your involvement been in the arts in general and arts in Northumberland County?

People who come to the library are people that are curious. Curious about books, arts and crafts, about learning how to do them. So, we have expanded from being simply a lender of books and CDs to being an outlet for artists, creating programs that cover a broader range of art forms. The only thing holding us back is the number of hours the library is open. We used to hold workshops and events once or twice a month; now it’s twice a day.

Do you have a personal preference in terms of art – i.e. performance, written, visual etc.?

I have a huge record collection. Finding new albums is thrilling for me. I love experiencing music, and it seems to run in the family. My son is in a band in Toronto, and my daughter has performed in musical theatre. I also like to visit art galleries when we’re travelling – it’s a wonderful way to learn about different cultures.

What do you see as some of the threats and opportunities for art in our county?

The threat is that artists need to be able to make a living, and there need to be more ways for them to do that. Most artists I know have a day job or side hustle. The opportunity is to bring the arts here. Warkworth is officially designated as an arts community, and as new people come in, it’s important to keep it going. Prince Edward County has done a great job of marketing the area as a go-to destination. Northumberland needs to build on that strategy.

Is there a way for the arts to be self-supporting or will the industry always have to rely on public and/or corporate funding? How can this reliance on third parties be reduced or eliminated?

We need more awareness and more events, to allow artists to teach and inspire. That will motivate people to get more involved with the arts themselves and to have an appreciation for what it takes to produce the art.

Patrick Muldoon is the Event Lead for several programs that are part of the Northumberland Festival of the Arts.

Sing it! Say it! Play it!

Collaborate, Sponsor, Donate, Attend!

• Check out the growing list of events
• Get involved as a volunteer
• Become a sponsor

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