Celebrating the Arts of Uxbridge

The Uxbridge arts community is polishing its silver lining as both The Celebration of the Arts, an annual three-week festival of performance and arts events; and The Uxbridge Studio Tour, a self-directed, free tour featuring 28 local studio artists and their 26 guests, together celebrate their 25th anniversaries.

Despite the high calibre, wide recognition, and extreme diversity of the artists involved, The Uxbridge Studio Tour has stretched its wings recently, heightening exposure by forming an affiliate group, The Uxbridge Artist Collective, comprised of the 2007/2008 studio tour artists. Designed to liberate artworks from their fixed studio settings, the artists of the Collective have taken their tour ‘on tour’. The highly successful inaugural show was launched at the John B. Aird Gallery in Toronto in 2009, followed by a second show this year, at The Magic Door Gallery in Sunderland. Additional show dates are underway, as this innovative initiative incites momentum.

To commemorate this significant milestone, a beautiful book was compiled: Work From Heart, Mind and Hand, The Uxbridge Artist Collective, 25 Years, showcasing work from 31 artists, illustrating their unique talents and artistic statements. An art gallery in print, this publication is available for purchase to peruse at leisure.

As part of the Celebration of the Arts events, the Studio Tour takes place on September 18 and 19; with maps widely available. This year, however, many of the tour artists, along with local merchants, will be actively involved in a unique celebration on September 25, appropriately coined, 25 on 25 Uxbridge Street Party, and will infuse the downtown core with an array of activities themed around the senses. Come see, hear, feel, smell, taste, and chase the elusive 6th sense through interactive projects, art installations, performances, parade, edibles, music, and creativity extraordinaire, where the arts community comes together to exuberantly extend their gratitude to arts supporters, and to inspire the continued appreciation of the ‘absurdly rich cultural life’ that bestows within and beyond.

The Celebration of the Arts is known for its staggering program of events that perpetually delight patrons with great entertainment, year after year. These events are modestly priced, and many are free, so everyone is able to enjoy treats of the feast. Following are a few anticipated highlights.
The season begins with the Motley Theatre’s playreading: ‘Dinner with Friends,’ a Donald Margulies Pulitzer Prize winning piece, under the direction of Anna MacKay-Smith.

The Juried Art Show is an impressive presentation of work, hung in the Township Council Chambers for the week. The September 21 Opening Reception (7:30 p.m.) is a perfect opportunity to meet many of the exhibiting artists. A Children’s Art Show Reception is held beforehand at 6:30 p.m., adjacent to the main gallery.

Canadian music legend, Ken Whiteley and his 12-piece band, will engage the crowd with an evening of great music, including selections from his new album, One World Dance.

The Books & Authors event delivers prominent authors to town to share excerpts of their work with eager literary fans. Host, Ted Barris, will introduce: TV/film writer, Ken Finkleman, author of Noah’s Turn; Man Booker Prize nominee, Lisa Moore with her novel, February; and Trevor Cole showcasing his book, Practical Jean.

Uxbridge Unplugged features four distinct and accomplished singers, individually performing a variety of music from jazz to country rock. Neil Crone (Little Mosque on the Prairie) hosts this musical mosaic.

The Silver Gala Night headlines a 25-Hour Masterpiece project, where eight previously juried acts, ranging in categories from singing to video production, will have 25 hours after learning of their assigned subject, to create, produce and rehearse their work up until their live performance. Afterwards, the evening will give way to celebrated pianists: Tom Baker and Carol Gibson, for a night of music, dancing, and gourmet nibbles.
Additionally, three live Saturday Lunch Hour Concerts; The Roxy Short Film Festival (complete with actors and directors); Shorts for Shorties (a medley of cartoon screenings); Fridays at the Foster; an OnStage Uxbridge production of Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Into the Woods,’ and more, split the seams on the suite of superb entertainment. Visit www.celebrationofthearts.ca for further details.