Alton Mill Arts Centre packed for opening night of Headwaters Arts’ annual Fall Festival

By Zachary Roman

Caledon's art scene is thriving. 

On September 19, nearly 200 people filled the Alton Mill Arts Centre for the opening night reception of Headwaters Arts' annual Fall Festival, Juried Art Show and Sale.

Photographer Samantha Hurley's piece, “What We're Made Of”, was on display at the show. 

She's been a photographer for 10 years and loves taking photos with a cinematic flair. 

“I love photos that look like they have a story built into them,” said Hurley.

An experienced Photoshop user, Hurley uses the platform to edit and combine photos, thus continuing the creative process even after the shutter has snapped.

What We're Made Of is a combination of photographs taken in Paris of art in galleries and on church ceilings. It's then overlaid onto an image of a woman of European descent. 

“It's about your cultural heritage and how it's all built together,” said Hurley

Courtney Chard, a pipe fitter by trade, uses her skills in metalworking to create sculptures. Her sculpture of a whale, “Into the Blue”, won third prize at the show.

Chard said she was always creative growing up, but pursued the trades in order to ensure a stable living. For the past five years, she's been getting back in touch with her creative side by making metal sculptures. 

“I like to make pieces that have movement, life, and fluidity,” said Chard. “I use a lot of cutting discs, torches, and plasma cutters. I use welding machines and grinders too.”

Patty Maher is an intuitive painter and she won the best in show award at this year's Fall Festival. Her piece, “Flowing Like the Sky”, was a return to her abstract roots.

Maher said whenever she paints an abstract painting, she can see a landscape in it.

“I was super excited, happy, and shocked because there's so many great artists here,” said Maher of winning best in show. “I feel super honoured, it's still settling in.”

Nancy Kluger, event committee chair for Headwaters Arts, said she was really pleased with the turnout for the show. She said the Alton Mill Arts Centre is the perfect venue and always inspires artists. 

With Maher winning best in show and Chard winning third prize, the remaining winners are as follows: Gita Karkins, second prize for “Dark Sky and Leaning Elm”; and Michele Taras, honourable mention for “Camouflage”.

Headwaters Arts, which is a non-profit, gives out scholarships each year at its Fall Festival. 

This year, Naomi Cameron was the winner of a visual arts scholarship. Cameron attended Centre Dufferin District High School and was involved in music, fashion, and visual art. She sang with the Orangeville Music Theatre, taught arts at the STREAMS Community Hub, and led the creation of a mural at her school.

Cameron has been accepted at Sheridan College where she will be working towards an Honours Bachelor of Art degree and specializing in textiles. She hopes to become an art therapist. 

This year's winner of Headwaters Arts' film and media scholarship was Charlotte Payne. She also attended Centre Dufferin District High School and was involved in drama, writing, and media arts. She worked at a photography studio and also volunteered at the STREAMS Community Hub.

Payne will be attending McMaster University to study humanities and media arts, with a goal of working in filmmaking, film and video editing, and videography.

Charlotte Faulkner was the recipient of a scholarship for acting.  She attended Mayfield Secondary School for its arts program and specialized in drama. Faulkner directed a one-act play, competed in the Canadian Improv Games, and rehearsed for the lead role in a local play. She also found time to work for Haunted Orangeville Walking Tours.

Faulkner will attend Dalhousie University, working towards her Bachelor of Arts degree with honours in theatre. Her goal is to act professionally in festival theatres and eventually in Mirvish and Broadway productions.

Another winner of a scholarship for acting was Isabel LeGallais. She attended Orangeville District Secondary School and was involved with Theatre Orangeville and her school's own productions. She also trained as an actor at Second City.

LeGallais will be going to the University of Windsor to get a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Her goal is to work as a professional actor.

The final scholarship winner of 2024 was Danielle Hawkins, who received a scholarship for visual arts. Hawkins attended Orangeville District Secondary School and focused on visual arts. She earned a dual credit at Humber College by completing a life drawing class.

Hawkins will attend OCAD University where she will be studying illustration. Her dream is to be a professional illustrator for comics and graphic novels.