The Learn & Live program, an initiative that arose from one of the recommendations in the town’s Community Wellness Committee’s report to council, is turning its attention to local culture for its next session.
A small steering committee of people, separate from the Wellness Committee, began meeting in the spring of 2021 to develop this initiative, which since then has presented themed sessions on a variety of topics to small groups of about 25 people at the NOTL Public Library.
Terry Mactaggart, one of the organizers of the series, says they choose different subjects for the community information sessions that will be of interest and meet the needs of locals. The upcoming discussion will focus on three cultural institutions in town, with presentations from Sarah Kaufman, managing director and curator of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Museum, Caitlin Wooll, director of the Willowbank School of Restoration Arts, and Debra Antoncic, director and curator of RiverBrink Art Museum.
“We know people are crazy to get out of the house, and ready to learn or see something new,” says Mactaggart, “and these three different institutions in town are some of the best-kept secrets that should spark some interest in people.”
Wooll plans to show a video and some photos of Willowbank and its students, in an informal presentation for those who are interested in the background of Willowbank, how the school came to be and what it offers. Showing photos of what the students do at the school would be a good way to share its success with locals who might not know about its history and the adaptive reuse of not just the main building on the property, but the Appel Barn and an adjacent chicken coop, which were originally part of the Queen Street Phillips Estate.
It’s been a while since they’ve been able to hold an open house or tours, to show the public how the students are able to use and learn from and in those buildings, although Wooll says they now are looking forward to opening to the public this fall.
All three will talk a little of the history of their cultural organizations in town. Antoncic, of RiverBrink, says that will be a brief part of her presentation. The art museum, located on the Niagara River Parkway as it turns by the Queenston cenotaph, is not always recognized as such, she says — it’s easy to drive by, focused on the turn, and not see it. Situated in a large home with a beautiful view of the Niagara River, it features changing exhibitions from the renowned art collection of Samuel E. Weir, as well as art on loan from other collections. The museum gardens are sometimes a place for people to stop and admire, says Antoncic, without knowing what goes on inside the building.
The Learn & Live presentation will provide the opportunity for people to look at art, she says, as she plans to show slides of the art work at the museum. She envisions the presentation to be “somewhat interactive,” with participants looking at art work, and engaging in a discussion about what they see.
Kaufman, curator of the NOTL Museum, will also talk a little about history, with Memorial Hall Ontario’s first purpose-built museum. In addition to the changing exhibits, she can also talk about the many programs it offers, providing “a life-long education component for the community, where people can learn their local history.” That includes the current exhibit that promotes Niagara-on-the-Lake’s waterfront and Lake Ontario, talks about the impact of climate change on the area, the walking tours and theatrical shows, all ways of sharing local history with residents, newcomers to NOTL, and visitors to town.
The Tiny Museum is one of the bonuses that will be used to go out into the community and share stories of local history, but it was finished and ready for use just as the pandemic hit, says Kaufman. Now, as people are drawn to events and festivals that are back on track after two years, she is anticipating a busy season ahead for the Tiny Museum.
The Learn & Live session on the three museums is Monday, June 13, from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., at the NOTL Public Library.
There are a limited number of spaces. Register for the event by calling 905-468-2023 or visit https://notlpubliclibrary.libnet.info/events?v=grid
