On March 8, MPP Brian Saunderson met with representatives from the South Simcoe Arts Council (SSAC) to formally congratulate them on the work that's happened since receiving an OTF Resilient Communities Fund grant.

As part of our Arts Connect initiative to bring our creative community together we're offering a new, free opportunity for SSAC member artists to meet, share, learn and create.

We are so grateful for the participation of our community in helping us bring our new ON-SITE 'Make Space' room to life.

Donna and Anthony at Alliston Home Hardware Building Centre were amazing assisting with reviewing our concept drawing and funding over 50% of the total build cost.

On March 8, MPP Brian Saunderson met with representatives from the South Simcoe Arts Council (SSAC) to formally congratulate them on the work that's happened since receiving an OTF Resilient Communities Fund grant.

As part of our Arts Connect initiative to bring our creative community together we're offering a new, free opportunity for SSAC member artists to meet, share, learn and create.

We are so grateful for the participation of our community in helping us bring our new ON-SITE 'Make Space' room to life.

Donna and Anthony at Alliston Home Hardware Building Centre were amazing assisting with reviewing our concept drawing and funding over 50% of the total build cost.

A chance encounter at a spur-of-the-moment yard sale stop began Annette Derraugh's journey into the Japanese art of Kanzashi. She was so fascinated by the beautiful ribbon and textile flowers displayed on that table that she couldn't wait to make one. In fact, she cut the only fabric at hand--a cloth napkin--into strips and fashioned her first Kanzashi while on the family sailboat later that day!

I stepped into the icy water of the French river to line our canoe over very shallow rocks. There was no rush, as the sun shimmered showing the amazing beauty of the colours of the rocks at my feet. Then Mike, who was in front of me stopped and pointed downwards. Following his gaze I joined him and saw huge fish gently swaying around in place, unfazed by our presence, busy spawning their next generation, glimmering, quietly slowly dancing in the sunlight...

The Woman Walking Into the Lake
Poem by Angela van Breemen

Freshwater siren
Beckons me
Her blue so vast
Cool water
Seeps inside my shoes
Enveloping my feet
In its chilly embrace

The New York TImes
by Pamela Meacher

Invisible while sitting at a quiet table, silence is acceptable from a reader,

absorbing, digesting someone else's words as images dance in the head.

Wind and Windows
by Maria H Thompson
© March 7, 2022

Cradled in the breast of humanity,
starring into the soul of nature,
is where I discovered the contents of my mind.

In the dust, what wonders pass,
the wind tore into my heart like a blade shivering in the sun.
Searching for love, ghosts laboured to compose their brawls.

Artwork Created By: Susan Medland
Medium: Acrylic on board

Blue
written by Jessica Van de Kemp

Before winter, the gold of the tree

strikes a match against the night

at daybreak. If you hold the sky to your ear,

it sounds like the ocean. Blue. A new recording

of bluebirds, behind the wooden fence,

feels electric, a persistent mood of sun,

not fog, makes an orchard of apples.

I'm Invincible
The painting in poetry
by J.C. Kavanagh, Author of The Twisted Climb book series

I'm invincible
Not invisible
I face forward, I don't look back
But
There are things to the left
And things to the right
That distract, not reflect
The real me that I hide.
It's there, can you see

Baby Bear
Written by Dian Bowers

Grandma held the needle in her deformed hand as she skilfully manoeuvred the quilted material. Arthritic took away her beloved craft but there was one more piece of art that she had to create. Grandma painted a picture with vibrant printed textiles, using her needle as a visual artist uses a brush to paint her subject. Her grandchild at her knee watches every stitch. Grandma winces every so often as the creation was taking its toll on her hands.

Out of Darkness
by Teri-Lyn Smethurst

Post-apocalyptic
From the deep earthy grave
Out of darkness
Tentacles shoot forth
Propagate
Twining tendrils
Clinging, Sprawling
Transforming

Mixed Emotions
by Joyce Ernyes

Kylie's eyes brimmed with tears of happiness as the Olympic gold metal was placed around Sonja's neck. She loved the young girl like a daughter.

While sitting in the stadium awaiting the ceremonies to commence, Kylie reflected on the events of the past four years that culminated in this day being the most memorable of her life.

Birds Eye View
Written by Teri-Lyn Smethurst, 2022

Watching you from my window, soaring above
What would it be like to sprout wings, to fly away
Weightless, air brushing through my feathers
Freedom from human constraint
Free of gravity restraints
Ripping, racing along the air currents
Seeing the world through a bird's eye view

Down By the Dock
Written by Peter Frost-Corking

A breeze caressed my cheeks as I gazed at the clear blue water. My brother Hank stood at the end of the dock, his arms stretched upwards and his hands clasped together, as if each hand were trying to pull the other ever higher into the clear blue sky. Closer to me was Dad, lost in some crossword, his feet dangling in the water.
So clear, so blue … and so peaceful! There was only the soft lapping of the water against the dock, and the distant hum of a chainsaw in the forest. Yet I didn't feel at peace.
"Hey Timbits!" It was Hank calling out to me. "How about a dip in the lake?"

What Do You See?
by Angela van Breemen

The sun struggles
To filter through the gloom
That permeates my soul

What remains of autumn light
Kisses the bronzed trees
Much as a lover says goodbye

Cerulean blue loses its grip
Sunlight creates a prism of colour
Competing against angry clouds

Is this Gaia's displeasure?
Revolted by humankind's sins
Inflicted upon her creatures?

I Have Your Back
by Mary Penner

From the moment we met, we took to each other like "flies on the butter" as my Mother used to say. The years have passed quickly, filled with fond memories of our life together. Our travels have taken us many places around the world. There was Venice, then Paris, Munich, London, and other cities, where we walked and explored, taking in the different cultures.

The Smiling One
by Brenda Short

The Coulson family had planned a day outing for their annual family photograph. This was something Jack had done every year since his marriage. He was abandoned as a baby and never knew a family life, until he met, fell in love with and married Harriette, or Hattie as he called her, so this family was his whole world.

Together We Will Survive
Artwork By: B J Thompson
Writing by Angie Rose-Carnegie

Anka had carefully drawn and painted the symbol on the upper right pane as she had been instructed. The two brown circles were joined to the flaxen one. Where they intersected the co-joined sections had turned golden, as if chasing away the darkness. Material remnants covered the other 3 panes of glass. Shivering she stood at the window and looked out on the snowy field illuminated by a thin sliver of moon.

Out of Reach

Artwork Created By: Art by Roslyn
Writing by Annette Chiappe

She discovered her life was in shambles and thought she wasn't going to make it. She felt so lost, and that happiness would never be in her grasp. She took one last look at her pain as a victim and decided that she must let go of the fear, be responsible for her life and live with the consequences.

God Is Calling

Artwork Created By: A Starving Artist - Atswei
Writing by Angie Rose-Carnegie March 2022

Towards the light…towards the light…
Softly I float towards it.
I hear them singing to me.
Are they angels or sirens?

I jolt away as I remember.
I need to stay.
I need to protect my children,
Against the menacing bear.

The soft voices coax me.
I feel them beckoning me to join them.
The pain recedes as I drift upwards
Towards their brightness.

The South Simcoe Arts Council has been shining a spotlight on up and coming writers of all ages, in all genres through its Creative Works Writing Contest for seven years.

We are excited to share the winners writings with you over the next few months.

Please enjoy this instalment of our Creative Works Writing Contest winners series featuring Adult Poetry 1st Place Winner - Valerie Losell

This award is sponsored by RBC, Alliston Branch

Simcoe County Import: HwaHwa Laughs at his Fate
By Valerie Losell

The South Simcoe Arts Council has been shining a spotlight on up and coming writers of all ages, in all genres through its Creative Works Writing Contest for seven years.

We are excited to share the winners writings with you over the next few months.

Please enjoy this instalment of our Creative Works Writing Contest winners series featuring Adult Short Story 1st Place Winner - Mary Penner

This award is sponsored by RBC, Alliston Branch

The Spy Thriller
by Mary Penner

We are excited to feature SSAC member & artist Antonio Lampreia of Alliston.

Q. As an artist Antonio what is the medium you use? Do you ever combine mediums? Describe how or why you might do so.

I paint in acrylics mainly, plus watercolour and I have some experience with oils. I tend to use one medium on the painting I am working on. Writing is also an art so yes I might combine some prose or poetry of local writer Michelle Dinnick on some of my pieces.

Q. When did you become an artist? Have you found it easy to say,"I am an artist"?

Expressing myself through painting and other art forms is just me. Yes I am pleased to call myself an artist.

Q. Do you have a mentor or some special influence that has contributed to your growth in your artistic creativity? How has this or someone particular influenced you? If this is a person are they also an artist?