12 - Southpoint Sun
Arts Centre announces ‘Bright Spots’ with grant award The Leamington Arts Centre (LAC) is spreading its wings throughout the community, and has announced a new initiative to bring the arts to the ‘bright spots’ of Leamington – a public art project. The Arts Centre was established as the South Essex Arts Association in 1971 with a mandate to create, sustain and celebrate the arts. Over the years, the Arts Centre has developed into a cultural pillar for
uptown Leamington and serves as a regional arts and culture destination for residents and visitors alike. “As the LAC is a bright spot in Leamington, our vision is to bring artwork from within the LAC gallery walls to the sidewalks and parks of Leamington for all to view, experience and take notice of more Bright Spots in Leamington,” said Chad Riley, LAC director and curator. Riley had just attend-
ed the Windsor Endowment for the Arts Awards where the LAC came away with the Arts Grant for Infrastructure in Community Arts. The grant will help fund the Bright Spots community arts project, which will feature works of art from the LAC collection on display in six public locations this summer. Selected artwork will be digitally reproduced and printed on outdoor UV and weather resis-
tant material and displayed outdoors at the Arts Centre, Leamington Library, The Bank Theatre, Shotton Park, the new Erie Street parkette (old Village Inn), and the
waterfront promenade or marina. “This wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Windsor Endowment for the Arts, the Municipality
Wednesday, June 1, 2022
of Leamington, Uptown Leamington BIA, Uni-Fab and Speedprint,” said Riley. “We thank them for all their support.”
Letter prompts council discussion on town’s public washrooms public washrooms, including soccer fields, baseball fields, Mersea Park, Rick Atkin Park and Seacliff Park. “Typically, they finish with Seacliff Park,” he said. “The process is more than just turning off the lights.” Neufeld explained that the seasonal employee must get all washrooms cleaned and closed and be back to the town shop by around 9:30 pm so that they can clean up and punch out by their 10 pm quitting time. Wilkinson asked Neufeld if they could look into it further, saying that this will be an issue all summer long. “No matter how late a WILKINSON hockey game goes — even until midnight — you can always count on the arena washrooms being open until everyone leaves,” he said. “We have a fantastic board of volunteers with Leamington Minor Baseball who’d be more than willing to help out.” Neufeld said he would revisit the issue with Public Works Manager Ken Brown and see what more could be done.
Jack Miner Museum
Open Saturdays in June 10am-3pm Other days by appointment only.
Contact us at 519-733-4034 to book a tour! Follow us @jackminersanctuary1865 or visit our website for event updates
332 Road 3 West, Kingsville, Ontario www.jackminer.ca
The Windsor Endowment of the Arts (WEA) award for Arts Infrastructure in Community Arts went to Leamington Arts Centre. From left are LAC Vice Chair Mike Mastronardi, LAC Director/Curator Chad Riley and WEA President Stephanie Barnhard. Submitted photo
EVENTS
A recent letter to the editor in the Southpoint Sun prompted Leamington Councillor Tim Wilkinson to ask about washroom availability at the town sports facilities at last week’s council meeting. The letter stated that a late baseball game under the lights on diamond #7 finished up late and spectators, parents and players were dismayed by the locked washroom facilities at the baseball complex. Not only did it inconvenience the Leamington players and fans, but also the out-of-town team and their fans who still faced an hour’s drive to get home. Wilkinson brought that question to council and asked why they cannot be kept open until every last person has left the property. “Can’t the last person turn out the lights and then lock the washrooms?” he asked. Leamington CAO Peter Neufeld explained the washroom conundrum to council, citing the number of facilities that need to be closed down each and every night. Washrooms are open from 8 am to 8 pm for all municipal facilities and one seasonal worker is responsible for thoroughly cleaning each one and locking them before moving on to the next. Typically, according to Neufeld, they start doing this about 8 pm and work their way through all the town-owned
Events Coming up in June in Chatham-Kent
DRESDEN RACEWAY – JUNE 5, 12, 19, 26 SONS OF KENT SECOND FRIDAY MARKET, CHATHAM – JUNE 10 CARS AND COFFEE, BLENHEIM – JUNE 11 ERIEAU BOULEVARD OF DREAMS – JUNE 12 BLENHEIM CLASSICS AUTO SHOW – JUNE 25 ART IN THE PARK, BLENHEIM – JUNE 25 BRIDGERAMA DAY, CHATHAM – JUNE 25
These are just a few of the coming-up events. Check out our website at visitCK.ca or scan the code to the right with your phone's camera for other events and more information.
