Arts and Culture | Town of Pelham

The department of recreation, culture, and wellness develops vibrant and dynamic cultural projects and programs. With our partners, our goal is to develop a creative community and a place of discovery, learning and exploration for all residents and visitors. Learn more by viewing our Cultural Master Plan and our many Festivals and Events.

Call for Artists - Ontario Arts Council Grant

The Town of Pelham is seeking artist applications to create a collaborative community art project for a mural, celebrating local heritage, to be completed by the community and displayed at a Town building upon completion.

Through discussions with local community groups and members, the mural content will be focused on local agriculture and farming, including but not limited to orchards, nurseries, vineyards, dairy and livestock farms and field crops.

We would like to acknowledge funding support from the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario for their support.

Project Summary
Submission Deadline: October 10th, 2024 at 5pm
Artist Selection Date: October 11th, 2024
Project Timeline: October 10th to November 1st, 2024
Artist(s) Fees: $2000* plus HST, if applicable
Eligibility: All artists legally able to work in Canada are eligible to apply.
Artist(s) Duties: Creation of mural design and submission in a digital vector format. The digital design will be reproduced into a 6 feet tall by 10 feet wide paint-by-number mural that will be painted by Town residents.

Project Description
The Corporation of the Town of Pelham is seeking design concept proposals for a collaborative community art project consisting of a heritage-themed paint-by-numbers mural to be painted by Town residents and installed on the exterior of a Town building. The design concept project is further described in the Project Details of the Call for Artists.
The Town encourages proposals from graphic artists and artist-led teams with experience in creating large scale works and the technical skills to provide the work in a digital (vector) format suitable for large scale reproduction. The Town will be responsible for fabricating, installing and maintaining the mural and for administering community participation.
Design concept proposals will be evaluated based on the criteria set out in the Call Out. The Town will select one design concept.

View the Call for Artists

Proposals must be submitted no later than the submission deadline of October 10, 2024 at 5:00 p.m.

Applications are now closed.

Paint & Skate

The Town of Pelham has received a grant from the Ontario Arts Council to create a community-based art project. This fall, a local artist designed a mural, which is now available in a paint-by-number format for community members to help complete. The finished mural will be installed on the exterior wall of Town Hall (20 Pelham Town Square, Fonthill).

We’d like to invite you to participate in one of two public painting sessions at the Meridian Community Centre happening at the same time as a public skate:

Sunday, December 8th from 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM
Thursday, January 2nd from 12:30 PM - 3:30 PM

To sign up for one of the public sessions, please press on the date you are available and fill out the registration form. All painting activities will be free of charge, and participants will be required to sign up in advance to ensure adequate supplies are available.

The recommended age for participants is 10 years and older to ensure the mural is painted with clean, precise lines.

We would like to acknowledge funding support from the Ontario Arts Council and the Government of Ontario for their support.

Ballroom Dance Social

The next Ballroom Dance Social is planned for Saturday June 8th, 2024.

Doors open at 6:30pm. Dance to begin at 7:00pm.

Comedy Night in Pelham

The next Comedy Night in Pelham - Saturday, October 19, 2024!
Meridian Community Centre - 100 Meridian Way, Fonthill.

Time & Location

October 19, 2024, 8:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Pelham, 100 Meridian Way, Fonthill, ON L0S 1E6, Canada

Comedy Night in Pelham returns with another great night of laughs headlined by the hilarious Chris Locke!

Winner of the Canadian Comedy Award for Best Male Stand-Up, Chris Locke is an esteemed comedic actor, writer and performer hailing from Toronto. Best known for his standout roles on popular shows such as Run the Burbs (CBC), What We Do in the Shadows (FX), Baroness Von Sketch Show (IFC), and Mr. D (CBC).

When Chris is not acting and writing he is a regular touring stand up performing at comedy clubs, theatres, and festivals which include multiple TV tapings at Just For Laughs Montreal, Headlining sets at JFL42 (Toronto), and appearances at Bridgetown Comedy Festival (Portland), SF Sketchfest (San Francisco), and more. Chris’s stand up plays regularly on SiriusXM radio. He can also be heard frequently spouting his unique brand of silly wit and whimsy on CBC’s The Debaters, and CBC Laugh Out Loud.

“One of Canada’s staggeringly original comedians.” – VICE.ca

This laugh packed evening hosted by David Green will also feature special guests Wes Zaharuk and Fonthill's own Bernie Law.

Doors open at 7pm Show at 8pm

This is a 19+ event and there will be a licensed bar with alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages available.

For more info and details please call 289-668-3425
Purchase Tickets Here

Join us for another memorable evening of laughs!

Visit www.gardencitycomedyfestival.com

Culture Days

The Town of Pelham have prepared to provide a safe, yet interactive experiences taking place during Culture Days this year. Culture Days is a Canada-wide celebration that is the largest-ever public participation campaign undertaken by the arts and cultural community in this country. Culture Days features FREE activities that invite the public to participate in interactive arts and culture experiences.

The next national Culture Days will be taking place September 20 through October 13, 2024.

Drum Circle - with Mark Chindemi

Wednesday September 25, 2024 | 4-5pm
Accursi Room, Meridian Community Centre
This drumming program invites community members to join in a collective group experience, led by an instructor, using various drums and percussion from around the world. This non-verbal experience allows participants to express themselves on various levels, spiritually, mentally, and emotionally. Participants will learn various rhythms and techniques to aid them throughout the session and for future experience. No experience is necessary. Join this collective experience, to not only bring a more positive vibe into the world, but also your own life.

All Equipment is provided.
Limited spaces available.
Register Here

National Day of Truth & Reconciliation/Orange Shirt Day

Monday September 30th, 2024 | All Day

Various Locations through out the Town of Pelham

For more information, visit pelham.ca/sept30

Painting Workshop with Beverly Sneath

Wednesday October 2, 2024 | 7-9pm
Kinsmen Room, Meridian Community Centre
Led by local Pelham artist Beverly Sneath, participants will create a painting.
All Equipment is provided.
Limited spaces available.
Registration closed. Workshop has reached capacity.

Family Music Time

Monday October 7, 2024 | 11am-Noon

Sing, move and play! Children are introduced to music and movement concepts through songs and games. Together we will explore pitch, tempo, and timbre, learn respect for instruments and each other, and of course, get up and move, move, move. Classes will always have an emphasis on movement and play and have age-appropriate expectations for all children.

This class has a primary focus on ages 3 -6, however younger siblings, from birth, are welcome.

One parent/guardian required per family.
No Registration is required.
All equipment is provided.

Pelham Big Band Dance Night – Featuring the Jimmy Marando Swing Band

The Jimmy Marando Swing Band was formed in 1965 in Welland, Ontario by Jimmy Marando.

The band is still in 'full swing', bringing the best hits of the 30's through 70's to audiences throughout Niagara and beyond.

They continue to bring back musical memories of days when audiences danced to swing, jazz and classic (ballroom) standards. These include the best of Glen Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Judy Garland, Ella Fitzgerald, Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Broadway, Latin, and much more. Featuring guest vocalists.

Pelham Big Band Dance Night Featuring the Jimmy Marando Swing Band runs the third* Tuesday of every month in the Accursi Room at the Meridian Community Centre.

2025 Event Schedule:

January 21
February 18
March 18
April 15
May 20
June 17
July 15
August 19
September 16
October 21
November 18
December 16

Free admission

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and the band plays from 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.

Donations are welcome for the band.

Bar services are available; food and drink are cash only.

Learn more about the band here.

Meridian Community Centre Art Exhibit Rental

We invite artists of all backgrounds and styles to exhibit their masterpieces and connect with a diverse community of art enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned artist or just starting on your creative journey, our platform welcomes the unique stories and perspectives that each piece of art brings. Share your passion, engage with fellow artists, and let your creativity shine on our welcoming platform. If you would like to display your artwork here at the Meridian Community Centre. Please apply below!

MCC Hallway Application

MCC Atrium Application

Pelham Artist Directory

Call for Local Arts Professionals and Facilitators:

The Town of Pelham is creating a local online artist directory. The directory will be utilized for any future opportunities for artists in Pelham.

In addition, the online directory may be available to the general public to discover local artisans, performers, teachers, art, music, photography, etc.

Artists of all mediums are encouraged to apply to the online directory .

Eligibility

Applicants must be 18 years or older or have parent/guardian consent.
Persons with disabilities, visible minorities and Indigenous artists are encouraged to apply.
Applicants must reside in Pelham or have a Pelham based business.
All levels of experience and mediums are encouraged to submit an application.

Terms and Conditions

The Town of Pelham is not responsible for any damages that may occur.
Information provided will be accessible by the general public.
Information provided from this application may be used as part of an online directory.
At any point you may request to be removed from the directory.
Completion of an annual participant form will be required to maintain up to date information.

Town Staff are currently updating the Artist Directory, these changes should be up-to-date by February 1st, 2025.

Updates coming soon.

Updates coming soon.

Updates coming soon.

Updates coming soon.

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Past Programming

SAY IT! on Stage - Seniors and Youth Intergenerational Theatre On Stage

SAY IT! on Stage - Seniors and Youth Intergenerational Theatre On Stage

SAY IT! On Stage
Seniors and Youth Intergenerational Theatre
www.sayitonstage.com

2019-2023

More about SAY IT! on Stage

SAY IT! On Stage. “SAY IT” stands for “Seniors and Youth Intergenerational Theatre”.

It is a program designed to strengthen connections and encourage collaboration between teens and their elders. The Town of Pelham, students from E.L. Crossley High School, and community volunteers will be apart of this exciting creative process that will finish in the performance of an original dramatic production. Performance Dates and delivery change with each production.

Through intergenerational conversation circles, senior participants will have the opportunity to share anecdotes and experiences from their lives; these stories will provide the foundation for a play that will be produced and performed by both youth and senior participants.

This initiative also seeks to showcase the broad range of talents and passions individuals bring to the project – music, dance, visual arts, crafts, trades. Our aim is to involve the community of Pelham in all of its diversity, including Indigenous presence and storytelling approaches.

We hope you will join us in this artistic endeavour.

Goals of the Project:

To provide opportunities for seniors to share their life stories
To validate and celebrate the life experiences of seniors within our community
To foster connections between seniors and youth through storytelling and drama activities
To encourage collaboration between high school students and seniors as they create, rehearse, and perform community theatre
To offer co-op placement and community involvement opportunities for high school students
To enrich cultural life for all residents of Pelham with a new performance arts initiative

2023 Project - Roundabout Now

Discover the live-on-stage community theatre performance of "Roundabout Now". Free to attend, limited seating available.

Imagine if you could meet your younger self. Would you still be able to relate to how you saw the world then, and what you hoped for your future? Come share in our magical mystery tour of a show. We'll take you to the past and to the future. But, don't worry. We'll bring you back to the present day before our carnival draws to a close. Or, at least you'll end up somewhere Roundabout Now.

The Roundabout Now performance is made possible through the generous support of Help Age Canada.

A special thank you to the team of students from Niagara College who assisted in capturing the performance.

2022 Performance - Stories Found

Live On-stage Performance - Nov 5 & 6, 2022

Meridian Community Centre (MCC)

Link to the Live Recording of Stories Found - November 5 2022

SAY IT! On Stage. “SAY IT” stands for Seniors and Youth Intergenerational Theatre. The program creates connections and encourages collaboration between people of all ages and circumstances. Through intergenerational conversation circles, participants share experiences from their lives; these stories provide the foundation for the live on-stage performance of "Stories Found."

"A little antique and curiosity shop in a small town holds a multitude of memories. Step through the door with us. Precious moments from people’s lives will be experienced anew, rediscovered through objects that call them to mind. The value of material possessions cannot always be measured in dollars and cents. What really counts is the richness of the experiences that they represent. Stuff is the stories that we are made of."

"Unearthed" An Original Radio Play (2020-2021 Project)

The second season of SAY IT! On Stage had us exploring new ways to be creative and stay connected. No longer able to meet in person, we have congregated in Zoom rooms, experimenting with a hybrid theatre art: old-time radio plays performed on a videoconferencing app of our own technological age. The project is as intergenerational as the participants!

After months of meeting weekly to read through vintage scripts, we set to work creating a radio play of our own. Rehearsing from a living document in a virtual venue had its challenges, but neither unstable internet connections nor endless electronic versions of a monster draft document could deter us.

With all the safety precautions, and when restrictions allowed, the group was able to record all of the performers' voices. When all the scenes had been read through and each sound effect included, the editing began! The final result is the radio play..."Unearthed"