Meet Your neighbour: Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts
The Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts is a creative hub that has been bringing the arts community together for over 47 years in Collingwood Downtown. With over 200 artists and artisans making up the membership, they’ve just relocated to their new location at 65 Simcoe Street.
Foundation Manager, Susan Cook who has been at the helm for the past 13 years says her passion and creativity comes from putting together events and interacting with the arts community. “We’re absolutely delighted with our new space, which is significantly larger than the space we had before. We’re able to showcase more of our members’ artwork, and we’re also a resource hub for local artists and artisans. We’re have enough space to be able to have a table allowing us to gather and collaborate with each other.” says Susan. “Our mission is to inspire excellence in visual arts through educational and creative opportunities.”
“Low Down Bar provided us with amazing support during our move. We have developed a great working relationship with one another. Simcoe Street businesses as a whole are supportive of one another and we are looking forward to future collaborations.”
Erin Coholan, a recent graduate of Ryerson for Image Arts, has just joined the foundation in the role of Creative Coordinator and her focus will be on program development, coordinating the shop by working with the membership to change up the artwork based on programming shifts and seasonal changes. Erin will also be stepping up the foundation’s social media presence.
The Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts hosts annual juried art shows which now have a youth component as well as a digital arts category. “It’s important for us to represent artists regardless of their age or where they are in their artistic journey and it’s also important that we adapt to the needs of artists as they embrace changing technology.” notes Susan.
Did you know? You don’t need to be an artist to join the foundation. Individual annual memberships are only $50 and family memberships are $75 per year.
New this summer, the foundation will host a new Arts Market in Tremont Square every Saturday from 10AM – 3PM from June 2nd through to August 27th. You can look forward to art demonstrations, guest artists, local art and artisan vendors and live music which will tie in very nicely as a downtown Collingwood attraction along with the Saturday morning Farmers’ market.
The Blue Mountain Foundation for the Arts is a great place to source out art from emerging artists. For more information about the BMFA, their programming and annual awards please visit their website at www.bmfa.on.ca/. You can follow them on facebook at www.facebook.com/bmfafoundationarts or Instagram at www.instagram.com/bmfafoundationarts/@bmfafoundationarts