Lakeshore Advance, 2013-08-14, Page 17Wednesday, August 14, 2013 • Lakeshore Advance 17
Ontarlo 1HIIlum foundation Grant Pushes Grand Bend Art Centre Forward
Centre leverages
$22,000 grant to
increase community
engagement
Lakeshore Advance
Thanks to partnerships, the Grand
Bend Art Centre is progressing and
building towards the future.
Since receiving a two-year grant from
le Ontario Trillium Foundation (O'I'F)
in November 2012, the Grand Bend Art
Centre is snaking substantial progress.
The funds will help the Centre hire a
part-time community development
coordinator, develop a website and pro-
mote its activities. On Friday, as Aquaf-
est activities and a children's art show
launched into action, John Frazer, a rep-
resentative of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex
MPP Monte McNaughton and munici-
pal leaders heard more about how the
grant is having an impact.
"The Foundation has allowed us to
breathe life back into our struggling art
centre by allowing us to hire Casey Les-
sard," said Executive Director Teresa
Marie Philips.
Early in his tenure, Lessard and Phil-
lips identified areas for improvement:
focusing on quality classes for all ages;
establishing a donation program that
directly funds classes for children who
may not otherwise be exposed to art;
creating free public art installations; and
promoting the Centre's work through a
magazine.
"The grant gave us the confidence to
take chances that will be critical to the
long-term success of the centre," said
Community Development Coordinator
Casey Lessard. "It has forced us to iden-
tify our goals, as well as our strengths
and our weaknesses, and encouraged us
to be entrepreneurial in our efforts to
enhance the community's cultural
scene:'
One of the Centre's key commitments
‘1110to create opportunities for children
nd adults to be exposed to art. 'Ihe cen-
tre supports the Paint Ontario show and
sale, which set new records for sales and
revenue in 2013. Acknowledging the
Centre's assistance promoting the event,
Paint Ontario founder Barry Richman
donated $1,500 from the sale.
SIMON DESJARDINE
CFP, CLU, RIIU, EPC
l',rrl/t,I Flwawclal l'laww,r, '
(•Aanvrrl 14/, uwbnvr Svr
519.238.6399
55 Ontario St. N. Grand Rend
• Investment Funds • RRSP's
• Insurance • Mortgages
"!n Maims: Sawn Year 2000,0w maim it yowr town."
Lynda Hillman -Replay
Shown here (Back) Artist Barry Richman, Lambton Shores mayor Bill Weber, Community Development Coordinator Casey Lessard, Exexutive Director Teresa Marie
Philips, Peter Philips, provincial representative John Frazer and Lambton Shores councilor Dave Maguire. In front Rosemarie Croswell and Marianne Hoare.
So far this season, class enrolment is up, as are revenues. In
addition to specialty classes for all ages, children are able to
drop in most mornings and learn painting from a professional
local artist, with styles including watercolour, acrylics, pastels
and printmaking.
Mayor Bill Weber congratulated the progress of the centre
and said this is another indication that partnerships work.
Frazer agreed saying the progress regarding culture is so
important to the community. Ile said this part of Grand Bend
is known for art and the centre builds on what is already there.
Teresa Marie said there needs to be things for people to do
-visitors and locals- and that is what they are doing.
This reflects a second key commitment of the Centre to cre-
ate paid work opportunities for professional artists and to also
find ways to benefit artists, while remaining a sustainable
entity in the long term. Funds from the OTE grant have also
helped promote of the launch of ArtC, a free magazine which
highlights the Centre's summer schedule and local art news.
Kineto Theatre e?
Forest
" Smurfs 2" [3D)
Rating: G
ates:AN.isni$20
Starring: Hank Asada, Noll Patrick Harris,
Jayma Mays
The Wolvetinc 3D1
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Community supporters are critical to
the Centre's success. Donors have
enhanced the viability of classes, giving
more than $1,300 to the new Art Angels
program, which funds art classes for
children affiliated with Big Brothers and
Big Sisters of South 1 luron.
Other community development
projects have included: free mural
painting for children 00 the main beach
on Canada Day, in partnership with the
Grand Bend Fireworks Committee;
offering our space to the Port Franks
Camera Club and to an art therapy
group from London; and hosting
New to Grand Bend and area?
Had a New Baby?
Getting Married?
First Time Grandparents?
Starting a Business?
Be sure to call...
11111
14rlLCOMEr AGON" .
SINCY, 1910
Faye Van Oss
519-238-8048
1466473.9941
Welcome Wagon has free gifts and
information on behalf of Grand Bend
& area businesses.
www.welcotnewagon.ca
Aquafest's photography and children's
art contests as well as children's art on
the beach.
A leading grant maker in Canada, the
Ontario Trillium Foundation strength-
ens the capacity of the voluntary sector
through investments in community-
based initiatives. An agency of the Gov-
ernment of Ontario, OTE builds healthy
and vibrant communities: www.otf.ca
ar
BRANCH
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