–Written by Reva Nelson
“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. I encourage everyone to directly experience the environment in which we work. 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.”
Alan Langford, Chair of Spirit of the Hills
Excitement is brewing! Fall of 2022 is bringing together artists, writers, poets, performers, actors and musicians in many locations across this beautiful, eastern part of Ontario.
Twenty-five years ago, Spirit of the Hills Arts Association (SOTH) was born, partly inspired by the rolling hills of Northumberland County itself. The first time I drove south from Warkworth to Cobourg, I felt as if I was in the rolling hills of Tuscany. The colours of yellow canola fields contrasted with the verdant green of corn stalks was breathtaking.
The group dedicated to creating a county-inclusive festival in 2022 is NFOTA, or Northumberland Festival of the Arts. SOTH will be sponsoring the following events during this stunning Festival:
Book Launch of Hill Spirits V, the anthology of fiction, non-fiction and poetry by local authors, on Saturday, October 1, 2- 4 PM at Victoria Hall, Cobourg
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 Book Fair at the Cultivate Festival at Haute Goat, Port Hope, Sept. 24—25. A wonderful opportunity to romp with the goats and chat with local authors who will be on hand with their books.
Four amazing workshops:
Memoir, A Gift in Words & Pictures with authors Cynthia Reyes and Carol Shaw, 10 AM – 12:30 PM, Sept. 23 at the Gathering Place in Warkworth. Practical exercises and storytelling.
Bounce Back, Creating Resilience with Reva Nelson, author, poet and speaker. How to bounce back stronger and more vibrant from tough times, Port Hope Library, Tuesday, September 27, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM
Two on the same day at the Canning Factory in Grafton on September 19:
Free Yourself Creatively: Sue Reynolds presents a hands-on workshop to lead you to a playful, experimental approach to your work. 9:30 AM -12:00PM, $25, Sept. 19 at the Canning Factory in Grafton.
Nature Mandalas, with Sheniz Janmohamed. Create your own ‘inner garden nature mandalas’ from your discoveries of natural materials in the garden. Sept. 19, the Canning Factory, Grafton.
Along with a Panel Discussion on Ephemeral Art, with four artists, no charge
All of these events are sponsored by Spirit of the Hills (SOTH), and NFOTA thanks them for their generous support.
Further details and ticketing information are on the NFOTA website.
Northumberland Festival of the Arts is a volunteer-run not-for-profit arts organization. To volunteer for NFOTA, please contact info@festivalofthearts.ca