Art a New Smash Addition to Harbourfest
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Pugwash Communities in Bloom and Pugwash Open Air Gallery thank you all for your part in creating Art in the Park for this year’s amazing community festival HarbourFest.
It was a truly wonderful day and we couldn’t have done it without your help.
Thanks to
• the hard working folks at Pugwash HarbourFest for the invite and support — Louise Haycocks, Kirsteen Thompson, Mike Cunningham, Bruce Peers, and Gillian Forward
• Bill Martin for helping us get the word out
• the muscle for help with set up and tear down — Richard Dittami, John Caraberis, Greg Smiley, Ben Smith
• the Village of Pugwash for the loan of tables and chairs, permitting us to add the Peace Sculpture in Eaton Park and Peter Seitl for access to electricity
• the fabulous tree decorators — Shelley Casey, Jennifer Langill, Bonnie Bond, Louise Cloutier, Mary Purdy, Sarah Witney, Margaret Boyle, and the staff of Thinkers Lodge
• the enthusiastic volunteers — Sarah Witney & Bob Nogler at Tie a Knot for Peace; Diane Burnham and her cart and Ronny Wells and his tractor for the Guided Art Tours; Mary Maron, Maureen Leahey, Stacie Fisher and Pablo, Gail Wainwright, and Gail for the Info Booth
• and the artists, whose creativity and energy brought the Art Demo Tent to life — Cathy Dalton, Janice Boiduk, Helen MacLean, Donna Hutchinson, Shaun Whalen, Jennifer Houghtaling and Fred Horton
We could not have been more delighted with the public response and interest in the art and artists.
It was heart-warming to see all the messages for peace waving in the breeze, tied to the new Peace Sculpture in Eaton Park. And the faces of those people, all ages, who connected to Pugwash’s place in the world peace movement.
The Guided Art Tour was a huge success due in no small part to the loan of the passenger cart from Rocky Irons and Diane Burnham. Diane even showed up to make sure everyone climbed on and off safely!
Louise Haycock’s suggestion to get an antique tractor to pull the cart was inspired and Ronny Wells made that happen with patience and charm.
Louise Cloutier provided the ‘guidance’ with such professionalism that passengers arrived back with nothing but praise.
The Artful Trees added that extra bit of whimsy thanks to the Inside Scoop, SeaShells & BeachWear, Basic Sprit, POAG, Thinkers Lodge, and the Friends of the Pugwash Estuary.
The Art Demo Tent was a hub of creative activity. Some visitors spent the whole day there, eager to try their hand at each art medium. Thank you artists for not only your generosity in sharing your knowledge but for inspiring others, and bringing so much material and equipment!
We are proud of the addition of Art in the Park to the village landscape and again thank you for helping us realize our vision.
On behalf of CIB & POAG
Louise, Bonnie & Norene
The photo shows Louise Cloutier, the Art Tour guide (left foreground) and Louise Haycocks, Chair of Harbourfest Homecoming (seated behind), on the Art Tour wagon, a big hit addition to this year's Harbourfest. More photos below.