Local creatives highlighted at Caledon Creative Arts Festival

Artists, authors, musicians among those featured in event at Caledon East Park

By ZACHARY ROMAN

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On a sunny Saturday morning, a park in Caledon was filled with creative spirit. 

On September 23, the Town of Caledon and Caledon Public Library (CPL) hosted the Caledon Creative Arts Festival at Caledon East Park.

Emily Quinton, Tourism and Culture Officer for the Town of Caledon, said the event was much bigger than its 2022 version, then called the Caledon Art Crawl. She said many people responded to the Town's call for artists and vendors.

Quinton said the festival's goal was to get as many people as possible to experience Caledon's art scene, all in one spot. 

“I'm so pleased with the turnout,” said Quinton. “We'll be doing it again next year… I really encourage everybody to come out and meet the artists that live in their community.”

Mary Maw, Manager of Communications for the CPL, explained the library invited all of the creatives from its Artful Caledon program to be featured at the event. The Friends of the Caledon Public Library provided funding for a 20- by 40-foot tent where all the Artful Caledon creatives showcased their work. 

“It's really cohesive, they're all supporting each other,” said Maw. “It's wonderful to see them all together.”

M.J. Moores, a local author who was at the festival, has a series of steampunk-inspired books and a science fantasy series too. Growing up, Moores said she didn't see women represented in the types of fiction she enjoyed. 

“A lot of my characters are basically female Indiana Jones type characters,” said Moores. “It's all about them going out and doing things that girls aren't supposed to be doing.”

Preet Kaur Pooni, a visual artist that was featured in the Artful Caledon tent, said she likes to use acrylic paint, and accents some of her work with gold leaf.

Pooni said she often listens to meditations while she paints; that she paints for her soul. She said painting makes her calm and at peace with herself.