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Celtics coming to Alton Mill April 29 and 30

April 13, 2017   ·   0 Comments

By Constance Scrafield

What could be better than to spend the last weekend of April at a Celtic festival at the beautiful Alton Mill Arts Centre in the village of Alton?

At a time when spring  is finally in full boil, the Mill itself is a wonder to visit, sitting in a mini wilderness, the old stream still running along the property, the same wildlife still in the neighbourhood.

Jeremy Grant, co-owner of the Mill with his brother Jordan, told us a little of their intent and hopes for the property.

“Since we took it over from our father, Jack Grant, who was a great enthusiast for the arts, we always felt that the property should used as a commercial space but open to the public.” he explained.

At the beginning of the very extensive renovations needed for the building, two government grants – one federal and one provincial – paralleled well to provide some funding for the project, although very far from all that was needed. Now, in business and as a major supporter of the arts community and, specifically, those with studios in the Alton Mill, the Celtic Festival coming to the Alton Mill Arts Centre is to “spur renewed interest of Celtic theme as part of a celebration of Spring,”

“This event is intended to bridge the Celtic arts and culture. We want this as an annual event.”

While the Mill rents studios and gallery space to visual artists, other arts are represented as events that take place there: theatricals, music concerts,  along with social and business gatherings. All these go toward financially supporting the Mill and offering an marvelous venue. Win/win.

Participating  in the Celtic Festival on April 29 and 30 are interesting and artistic people creating in various mediums specifically Celtic designs or work which goes back hundreds of years to the time of the Celtics.

Sean Donnelly, a dry stone artisan is going to create his vision of a Stone Wave, which project is supported by a Ontario Arts Council grant. Using stone from the property of the Alton Mill and the local area, Mr. Donnelly will build this on the Celtic weekend. Visitors are welcomed to come and learn (briefly) how to etch a stone and these will be included in the Wave wall as a tribute to the weekend.

Having met Jeremy and Jordan Grant at an Alton village town square drywall project, Mr. Donnelly later approached them with the idea.

“I knew they might like the idea of the Stone Wave,” he told us, “from  their enthusiasm for the town square wall.”

Jeweller extraordinaire, Anne-Marie Warburton has an important visitor to her location at the Mill on the ground floor,  Noam Carver, who will be at the Gemma Gallery in person for the whole of Saturday, April 29, to talk about wedding engagement and wedding rings, both those on display or others to be created.

A strong supporter of the arts and of the Alton Mill, Ms. Warburton is very pleased about the upcoming Celtic Festival that weekend. “It will be a  great family event,” she remarked. “And Noam Carver is certainly ready to create Celtic designs in the jewellery he makes as custom work.”

Diana Skeates, contemporary Celtic artist, will be in attendance both days. Her fabulous Celtic paintings will adorn the walls of the Made of Wood Gallery on the ground floor of the Mill and she will be there herself to meet people and to give talks on the subject of the Celtic mind, as she sees it.

The Made of Wood Gallery will also host other craftsmen.

The remarkable film, Rivers and Tides: Goldsworthy Working with Time will be showing continuously throughout the weekend in the Bartlett Gallery, as a drop and out exhibit.

Both artists, CJ Shelton and Linda Augustin, are holding workshops on creating Celtic designs: Ms. Shelton in her studio teaching the over/under weaving of the knots and how to do them and Ms. Augustin will guide youngsters to make Celtic coats of Arms. CJ Shelton designed the Celtic Tree of Life logo for the festival.

Blacksmith, George Church bends bars of raw steel into the Celtic story; Anne Randeraad  will help you make a small Celtic plate; there is encaustic workshops and baby lambs!

For entertainment, there are Celtic musicians playing throughout the weekend.

On Sunday afternoon the Rhythmfoot with the Frank and Chandra Leahy family are doing a concert of what they do best by way music and dance. A rare opportunity to seeing this remarkable gang in such an intimate venue.

No such event would be complete without food and merchandise vendors and these are promised in full.

In the marketplace, are Celtic merchants with nice quality goods to browse and buy. Silver jewellery, textiles, candles, horn drinking cups.

A wide food menu of choices of old recipes and dishes you might remember from your childhood – or not – but here is a chance to taste them.

Mark your calendars and explore the creative hub of Headwaters. Some activities are subject to a separate fee, others are free. The suggested donation $10 per adult, $5 per child and $20 per family.

For lots more information, go to info@altonmill.ca

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