Downtown Port Hope to transform into vast outdoor arts gallery

Downtown Port Hope will be transformed into a vast outdoor gallery for Arts Month in August and the return of the long-time Port Hope Arts Festival on Aug. 8. /Sarah Hyatt photo

By editor/reporter Sarah Hyatt

Port Hope’s Art Festival is all set to make a splash downtown on Aug. 8 – but celebrations won’t be limited to just one day.

Throughout August, the Municipality of Port Hope also celebrates Arts Month, and there are number of festivities planned.

For the festival, several new additions are also in the works, as well as returning favourites.

“Residents and visitors can look forward to many favourite activities, including the 10-minute play series, the outdoor artisan market, wagon rides, hands-on family activities and community gatherings in Memorial Park,” shared Mayor Olena Hankivsky. “We look forward to welcoming everyone next month.”

Here’s what you need to know about the festival:

Explore the arts outdoors and in downtown shops:

Residents will have a chance to support local makers and businesses with the return of the outdoor vendor market and with art prominently featured at downtown shops.

The outdoor market will run 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and more than 40 visiting artists are set to pop-up beside the Port Hope Farmers’ Market on the back lawn of town hall and along part of Augusta Street, noted organizers.

In nearby Memorial Park, organizations will also set up shop to offer hands-on interactive fun for all ages from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

“It is a great chance to connect with Port Hope’s creative community, find out what’s happening and try your hand at something new,” added organizers.

10-minute play series:

This year, the festival will feature 15 short plays across eight locations with performances taking place on the hour and the half-hour mark between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Attendees can expect everything from comedies to thought-provoking dramas, with all plays performed five times at open-air locations throughout the downtown, explained organizers.

New this year, as a step towards making the festival more inclusive and accessible to a broader audience, the municipality has announced that ASL interpretation will be offered for a few of the performances.

Additional live entertainment and chances for artists to shine:

If you’re eager to showcase your skills in an open-mic-style event, Sounds of the Next Generation (SONG) and the Capitol Theatre are teaming up to enhance the sights and sounds of the festival, noted organizers.

Whether you’re interested in shining as a group or solo act with your musical performances, poetry or voice, there are options, but participants need to sign up in advance to claim their spots.  

Artists will light up the Memorial Park Bandshell Aug. 8 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Capitol also has plans for an “Under the Marquee” outdoor concert with Nicholas Campbell and the Metre Cheaters at 8 p.m. However, at press deadline, organizers noted that tickets ($25) were selling fast for this “summer street party.”

Special poetry events:

On Aug. 8, the Port Hope Public Library and Furby House Books are coming together to bring to life two special poetry events.

Author Kate Rogers is set to deliver a poetry workshop from 10:30 a.m. to noon, which will offer caregivers and former caregivers a chance to explore writing as a healing practice. Later, at 1 p.m., residents can also visit the bookstore for a poetry reading with Laurie D. Graham and Rogers, featuring selections from their new books.

If you can’t wait until Aug. 8 to celebrate Arts Month, you also have options.

Here’s what else is happening throughout the month:

Art Around Town:

Port Hopers can get to know local artists through the return of the popular “Art Around Town,” which will see artists’ work displayed in about 24 shop windows downtown.

“This initiative continues to bring together artists and merchants to transform downtown Port Hope into a vast outdoor gallery,” explained organizers.

Art Around Town runs Aug. 1 to 16, and a festival map and rundown of all 24 locations is accessible online.

Art Crawl Downtown:

Critical Mass Art is gearing up for a guided “Art Crawl Downtown” event on Friday, Aug. 7, which will offer participants a chance to explore art installations and pop-up artist talks along the route.

Interested attendees are being asked to register in advance and will then meet at Little Station along Lent Lane. This event runs 5 to 8 p.m.

Special hometown premiere:

New this year, festival-goers can kick-off celebrations early on Aug. 6 with the hometown premiere of “Inklings: Tall Tales, Short Stories” at 8:30 p.m. at the Ganaraska Brewing Company.

Presented by Two Blue Shirts, this Bell Fibe TV1 anthology series is inspired by Port Hope and features a mix of sci-fi, fantasy, comedy and romance, reads a recent release.

After the screening, there will be a question-and-answer period with the cast and crew, plus door prizes and fresh popcorn.

Residents looking to learn more about the detailed lineup and ways to participate in Arts Month can visit porthope.ca/arts-festival.

And don’t forget about the Road to Cultivate Concert Series, the Irie Vibes Festival and the Port Hope Jazz Festival, which is marking 25 years.