A Home for the Arts in Elora

From Arts in Guelph- July/August, 2004

by Anna Contini

The Elora Centre for the Arts (ECFTA) has come a long way since the building was acquired at the end of 2002. It began as a vision of a few local artists and residents and has blossomed remarkably ever since. The intriguing 1850s limestone conglomerate in the heart of Elora has been the home of several different schools over the past century and a half. Today it has become a home for the arts in the area, offering a full slate of instructional programming for adults and children, studio space, exhibitions, master classes, special events and meeting space.

The mission of ECFTA is to "build on Centre Wellington's extraordinary arts assets to form a vibrant institution composed of working studios, rehearsal and performance facilities, teaching venues and to nurture regional artists to offer enrichment to the local community." While an ambitious undertaking, the Centre is well on its way to fulfilling this vision. The facility contains a dozen rooms of various intriguing shapes and sizes, a stunning main floor gallery and a meeting room that boasts an historic tin ceiling, says newly-appointed administrator Arlene Saunders.

ECFTA is currently being used by a wide variety of groups including the Centre Wellington Children's Drama Club, Centre Wellington Youth Band, Puppets Elora, Elora Community Theatre, and the Celtic Music School to mention a few. The Elora Arts Council recently ran a Friday evening slide show about Graffiti and has plans for a new series in the fall. For artists seeking either short- or long-term studio space, the Centre offers "an assortment of spacious rooms with lofty ceiling and big bright windows," says Saunders.

Recently the gallery hosted the CANSCAIP Collection - 64 original framed illustrations that have appeared in published children's books. Throughout July and August Paintings of Scott Sawtell of Owen Sound will be on display. He is a painter/draughtsman who pursues "socially critical figurative description, in the tradition of German Expressionists." His works explore the relationship between Canadian perspectives and American images. An Artists Committee has recently been formed to plan a stimulating balance of national and international exhibits while continuing to showcase local artists.

The Centre has also become a favourite venue for special events. It has already hosted numerous concerts and will once again present Art by the Yard July 10/11, 10 am. to 5 p.m. This annual, juried show will feature works of over 40 artisans and craftspeople working in a wide range of traditional and experimental forms.

Back by popular demand is a summer day camp for children ages to 6 to 15. Experience Art 2004 will take place August 3 to 27 and offer 13 unique and stimulating workshops including theatre, printmaking, garbage sculpture, science and nature, music making, video animation, clay sculpture and anti-gravity! For children with a passion for vocal music, the Centre will be hosting a Singing Day Camp presented by the Elora Festival July 12 to 16.

Another exciting project that the Centre has recently embarked on is Students in the Studio. Open to all schools in the Upper Grand District School Board, Kindergarten to Grade eight, the program will enable students to spend a whole day at the Centre learning about theatre, music or visual arts. The hands-on activities are led by experienced facilitators and area artists.

Looking ahead into the fall, ECFTA will play a key role in the Fergus-Elora Studio Tour taking place on the weekends of September 25/26 and October 2/3. All of the 37 participating artists will showcase their work, and then each will have one representative piece in a show that will continue in the gallery through October as part of the regional AGOG Art Festival. Stay tuned for details!

The coming months will be a flurry of activity as ECFTA continues to evolve and gain both momentum and profile. This prominent home for the arts may have begun as a diamond in the rough but it is now beginning to shine to its full potential!

For more information about the Elora Centre for the Arts please call (519) 846-9698 or visit www.eloracentreforthearts.ca.