Join us for exciting armchair traveling!

Wednesday mornings – April 18 to May 9 – 10am to 11am

Local travelers share their experiences and adventures of travels to far-off and exciting regions of the world!

Proudly presented by Hampton Court Revera

April 18 – The Hum of Tibet – Susan Bedard

I went to China to teach English as a Foreign Language in 2007 and while there had a lot of opportunity to travel. During Spring Festival and Chinese New Year of 2008, our school gave us more than one month of holidays, which I used to explore Tibet. Since this was in January and February, it was very cold there and perhaps not the best time for travel. However, it was a fascinating journey, partly because it was their New Year and partly because of Sonan, a super guide with whom we toured the interior of Tibet (the REAL Tibet, Sonan told us).

I will show you lots of pictures, talk a little about their culture, religion, attitude to the Chinese, and how they celebrate the New Year.

April 25 – Adventures in Iceland – John Thordarson

May 2 – Aloha Hawaii – Doug & Anne Goar

Explore the many stunning islands of Hawaii, and experience the national parks, canyons, humpback whales, rainforests, and lava flows from volcanoes.

Hawaii is the only island state in the United States. Each of the islands has its own distinctive character. On Kauai, enjoy the stunning array of pleated cliffs of the rugged Na Pali coastline, and spectacular mantle of emerald vegetation in Waimea Canyon, the “Grand Canyon of the Pacific”. On Maui, discover the lunar-like volcanic summit of Haleakala’s national park, and the ever twisting road through the rainforests to Hana. See the lava flows at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Marvel at the immense size of the humpback whales, wintering off the coast. In short, find paradise!

May 9 - The Allure of Alaska – Doug & Anne Goar

Adventures of an unforgettable cruise through the inside passage of southeast Alaska, an archipelago of stunning islands and superb scenery.

Visit the beautiful and historic port communities of Juneau, Skagway and Ketchikan. Witness the rain forested slopes and glaciated mountain peaks. Catch the awe-inspiring vistas of Glacier Bay National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Discover Alaska, a destination to visit again!

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Come and view incredibly beautiful recent paintings by Sharon Barfoot and Susan Seitz through their private exhibit “Pushing Colour”.

Meet the artists Reception

Saturday, April 14

1:00pm – 4:00pm

Pushing Colour

This exhibition presents the most recent paintings of Sharon Barfoot and Susan Seitz.  Both painters adhere to a ‘push pull theory’ in their respective work.  The paintings are a culmination of many ideas and translate their three dimensional surroundings into the two dimensional canvas surface.  Shapes, lines, calligraphic mark making and the use of space echo the reality found in nature, but its structure rather than its exact appearance.

The key to the work of both artists is their passion for nature, whether perceived on location, from memory, or imagination.  They probe natural elements, focusing on volume, and forms in positive and negative spaces and how colour and light interact and fill spaces.

Any serious study of colours cannot reach any definite conclusion. This is because

light and colour in our daily life is still a mystery. We try to understand aspects of

this phenomenon but as we go deeper into the subject we find ourselves back at the

beginning of a long path. Both Susan and Sharon continue to explore colour and light using  their respective painterly voices.

Susan Seitz

A style that balances between the abstract and the representational world of art, award winning artist Susan Seitz shares her love for painting on canvas – creations that are both visually rich in texture and colour.

“Growing up in the rural communities of Bruce County has been the source of my inspiration.  Painting with elements of nature in mind offers an engaging experience on many levels for me.  A sense of simplicity, peacefulness and beauty is evident.”

Susan Seitz Studio is located on a 1.5 acre property formerly known as the 1903 Narva School House. A recently renovated wood shed brings light to an old space where Susan can paint to her heart’s content!

Sharon ZapphaBarfoot

“There are many other influences affecting my artwork that evoke a “subtle blend of the conceptual and the sensual” and a sense of journey. In addition to exploring the natural environment and reading about subjects that interest me, I have travelled to many places in the world and each culture and history inspires me and informs my Mixed Media paintings, both directly and indirectly. Perhaps my work could be summarized as “meditations on the convergence of land, time, and memory.”

Non-Representational Art intrigues me because of what I see as this paradox: That which seems to depict nothing in particular can actually hold everything.This idea of “nothing” leading to “everything” reflects my understanding of the mysteries within my life’s journey. As I am painting I consider opposing forces of control/spontaneity, light/dark, horizontal/vertical and the interplay of colors that harmonize or contrast. Encaustic painting can be both fluid and solid. Layering, scraping and scoring become metaphors for time and memory within the paintings.

As I work on each painting I am bringing separate elements together to create a whole. The ultimate meaning remains purposefully open-ended. For me this reflects a spiritual reality closer to the truth of my life than what could be expressed through a closed narrative or concept.”

Sharon has been involved in the arts for over 30 years.  Her past experience includes working as a costume and jewellry designer, a focus which began when she worked at the Stratford Festival Theatre, The National Ballet and the Canadian Opera Company.   Although her early interests were in textiles, she now concentrates more on painting and sculpture.  Sharon has exhibited her work extensively and most recently in Japan, Mexico, and Islamabad.  She currently works out of her home studio in Sauble Beach.

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Fun workshops for kids – adults welcomed too!

Pulp Fiction

March 24 – April 21

Saturday afternoons 2pm – 4pm (Ages 8+)

(Please note that there will not be a workshop on the Saturday of Easter weekend April 7 – we skip a week)

Paper making and sharing stories – get your hands slimy during this four-week program, making your own paper and writing a short story, or making gift cards for friends and family.

Members $5  Public $10 per session

Children’s Health Form 2012

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Archives Awareness Week

Come and enjoy watching the Stars of the Town Videos and help archives staff identify people within the videos.

The identification lists will be preserved and made accessible at the Bruce County Archives, your local Library and Western University Archives.

Free Admission

Schedule

Saturday, March 31: 11am to 1pm, Ripley Public Library

Sunday, April 1: 1pm to 3pm, Port Elgin Public Library

Monday, April 2: 1pm to 3pm, Paisley Community Centre

Tuesday, April 3: 1pm to 3pm, Tara Community Centre

Wednesday, April 4: 1pm to 3pm, Lucknow Public Library

Thursday, April 5:1pm to 3pm, Teeswater Public Library

Tuesday, May 29, 2012

8am – 8pm

Click icon for more information!

Monday, June 11, 2012

8:30am – 4:30pm

Click icon for more information!

Join us Wednesday, April 11th at 2pm for a FREE preview of “Giver”.

“GIVER” – is  a new TVO and Sinking Ship Entertainment co-production.

It is a live action series about enterprising 6 – 12 year-old kids that work together with their community to reclaim and enhance their playground spaces. In the series a group of 12 kids must decide on a new theme for their playground – choose what equipment to keep and what to scrap. What pieces to add and what murals to paint. They have to find out what their community wants – is it a sandbox, a garden, a pond, a dog park? On top of all that, they need to figure out how they’re going to pay for everything and, did we mention, they only have  days to do it!!

Fortunately, the kids aren’t alone. Each episode features an enthusiastic team to assist them – an energetic host, a handy carpenter and a multi-talented artist. All three will work with the kids to see that their new playground vision is brought to fruition.  The series was developed with the goal of engaging kids in a community building project. Being part of this initiative gave them a positive experience and inspired them to want to volunteer and get involved in the community. In each location communities joined together – everyone wanted to help.

The Old and New Middle East with Journalist Eric Walberg

Local author and journalist Eric Walberg gave a spirited talk on Middle East history at the Bruce Country Museum March 20th, 2012. A question and answer period followed the lecture and those attending were able to purchase his recently published book Postmodern Imperialism: Geopolitics and the Great Games.

Eric will be speaking at the Bayshore Community Centre in Owen Sound on Thursday, March 22 at 2pm – The Arab Spring – Ground Zero

Walberg is a regular contributor to Counterpunch, Dissident Voice, Global Research, Al-Jazeerah and Turkish Weekly, and is a commentator on RT television and Voice of the Cape radio. His articles appear regularly in Russian, are translated into Spanish, Italian, German and Arabic, and are accessible at his website ericwalberg.com. Walberg was a moderator and speaker at the Leaders of Change Summit (http://www.istanbulwpf.org/) in Istanbul in 2011.

March 22, 2012

2:00 PM

Bayshore Community Centre, Owen Sound

The Arab spring – Ground Zero: The Egyptian Revolution

Tickets $15.00

Mr. Walberg will provide a report ‘from the trenches’, and touch on the history of Western involvement in the Middle East, the clash of East-West cultures, and the newly emerging Islamic civilization.

Bluewater Association for Lifelong Learning

Information & Inspiration for the Inquisitive Mind

A casual introductory series for beginning birders!

Families welcome – good for ages 6 and up

Sunday afternoons 1:30pm – 3:30pm

April 15, 22 & 29

Cost for the series:

Museum and Birding Club Members and Students $10 +HST

Public – $20 + HST

Family of 3 or more – $40 +HST

Call or drop in to the Museum to register!

Build your skills and confidence in identifying birds.  Learn about birding equipment, resources, birding areas, types of feeders and feed. And best of all, meet other birders! We are learning from each other every day!

Join us three Sunday afternoons, including a field outing on the last day, with possible mini-outings on the first two days. Bring your binoculars if you have them.

In partnership with the Bruce Birding Club

Session one – April 15

1) Introduction

2) Equipment

3) Parts of a Bird

4) Feeders

5) Common Birds

Session Two – April 22

1) Review

2) The Basics of Birding

a) Size

b) Shape

c) Field Marks

d) Flying Birds

e) Sound or Birding by Ear

f) Behaviour

g) Habitat

h) Distribution and range

i) Time of year

j) Common and rare birds

Session Three – A bird outing led by Fred Jazvak – April 29

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3. OPG Presents: Earth Rangers’ “Bring Back the Wild” Show

Featuring three of Earth Rangers most amazing Animal Ambassadors demonstrating their natural behaviours, the dynamic 40 minute show inspires audiences to help protect animals and their habitats!

Shows at 11:30am, 1:30pm and 2:30pm

April 28 and July 17, 2012

The Earth Rangers “Bring Back the Wild” Show takes an urgent look at the challenges facing global biodiversity today and what we can do to help preserve it. Produced in high definition, the 40-minute multimedia engagement features rich video footage of some of the world’s most beautiful and diverse habitats that are under threat from human impact. With appearances from 3 of our live Animal Ambassadors, the presentation delivers an immediate and powerful message about the environment while providing a hopeful opportunity for action through our Bring back the Wild Program.

Proudly presented by

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