Gananoque gets national recognition for Culture Days
Ontario Culture Days comes but once a year, and the competition is fierce. Municipalities from all over put together programs to encourage their local communities to indulge in and become a part of arts and culture, strengthening their base and letting the world know that it is there.
This year, the town of Gananoque was recognized as third among the top ten towns and rural areas in the nation.
“Garnering attention on a national level was not the goal, yet we are pleased to be recognized for our efforts in creating a successful and enjoyable event,” said Jeannie Catchpole of Gananoque Arts Network (GAN), organizer. “The best comment I heard was, ‘the town was alive!’”
To understand the significance of this, over the three weeks that encompass Culture Days nationwide, there were more than 4,000 events; more than 350 participating communities; more than 1,500 event organizers; and 5 million attendees. With Gananoque’s population of about 5,400 people, it takes a Herculean effort to reach this level.
“On the weekend of September 20-22, 2024, GAN participated for a third time in Ontario Culture Days – ONCD,” said Catchpole. “We created the GAN Arts Fest with over 50 free events celebrating all forms of art and culture in our quaint little town on the beautiful St. Lawrence River.”
Event coordinators included Su Halle, Debbi Burns Morrison, Cliff Edwards, Olga Lazor, Jan Winton with Face to Face 2 Gallery Show Team, Bonnie Higgins and Mary Ann Maruska, as well as volunteers Dennis O’Connor, Ron Smith, Sam Crosby, Gord Briggs Linden, Linden Pier, David Frid, Anneke Schagen and many other volunteers who assisted.
“Gananoque Arts Network was designated a (local) hub for Ontario Culture Days,” said Dennis O’Connor, chair of GAN. “This was already an honour but to add the distinction of third place as a town and rural area in this Canada-wide cultural event is the icing on the cake. To achieve this as a not-for-profit required hours of strategizing and money management which can only be achieved by one individual totally dedicated to the task. Jeannie Catchpole, GAN’s vice president of the board, was that person. She put together a team capable of organizing a multitude of free cultural events over a two-day period.”
GAN has committed to partner with ONCD for 2025 and 2026 as well.
“I recently attended a Design Thinking Workshop at ONCD Toronto headquarters,” said Catchpole. “Developed by the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and serving for a guide for cultural and heritage organizations in Canada to align their work with the (United Nations) Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs), the workshop focused on culture as a Global Public Good: Advancing SDGs.”
ONCD – GAN Arts Fest 2025 is already moving along in the planning stages and building up steam. They are working to amalgamate multiple events, creating one major event that will encourage the entire community to come out and participate.
“This event will likely not garner recognition for a number of events,” she said. “Instead, the goal is to engage the entire town in a grassroots-style celebration that includes all arts and all residents. Details will be forthcoming next spring. Anyone interested in volunteering in lead positions or specific arts disciplines, please contact me, jeanniecatchpole3@gmail.com.”
“Culture matters in creating a healthy and active community,” said O’Connor. “We are very fortunate to have so much talent in our community. The Ontario Arts Council issued a report this year stating that Culture is the fastest-growing sector in Ontario today.
“Executives from Ontario Culture Days visited Gananoque several times in the past year to follow Jeannie Catchpole’s progress with the event. As an economic development tool culture is essential and our beautiful little town benefits with accommodations, restaurants and shops.”
Author of the article:Lorraine Payette • For Postmedia Network
