NFOTA gratefully welcomes back a perennial and vital sponsor, Spirit of the Hills Arts Association (SOTH). SOTH has more than 140 artists, artisans, performing artists, photographers, writers and patrons, and their goal is to build and sustain the arts and artists in Northumberland County.

It’s a no-brainer, then, that they would support NFOTA, who are showcasing the arts and artists of Northumberland County in September this year. 

Alan Langford, Past President of the SOTH Board says:

“Our Northumberland landscape provides the “spirit” to Spirit of the Hills, and I think it’s easy to see how it is a deep well for art and creativity. Connection to our landscape will lead to a deeper appreciation of the written, visual, and performative works of our members and all creatives in Northumberland.”

Spirit of the Hills will be supporting a mix of literary, art and learning events:

Launch of Hill Spirits VI, an anthology of fiction, non-fiction and poetry by local authors, on Saturday, September 21, 2- 4 PM at the Cobourg Library. NFOTA spoke to this edition’s editor, Susan Statham, and to the co-sponsor, publisher Blue Denim Press. Tickets to the event will include a copy of the book.

The Foot by Foot Art Show and Sale, where all pieces of art will measure one square foot, and cost $125 each. You could find your treasure, be it a photograph, drawing, painting, textile collage, mixed media or low-relief modelling, in the Warkworth Public Library.

The Ekphrastic Project, where local artists from the Cobourg Art Club team up with poets from the Spirit of the Hills Writers Group to produce ekphrastic art – one art form takes inspiration from another art form. The resulting matched poems and paintings will be on display at the Wow! Words on a Wire Poetry Event on Sunday Sept 15, and again at the Hill Spirits VI Anthology Launch on Saturday Sept 21.

Two Workshops supported by Spirit of the Hills:

AI for Writers and Poets with Dennis Layton, former senior IT architect and thought leader in digital transformation. Dennis will introduce us to the latest developments with ChatGPT (AI) and teach writers the right language to use to get AI to compose first drafts or analyze and edit existing work, as well as other tricks you’ve never imagined. Reserve your spot.

Getting it Down for the Next Generation. How to tackle the treasure trove of family stories that are in your head, but not yet on paper. Ways to get started, to sort out what is important to pass on, and how to keep it interesting even if you are not a writer. (Details TBC)

Thanks again, Spirit of the Hills!

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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