Arts & Heritage Show at Grace Hall Community Centre

Oct 25, 2012

Photo: David Townsend, Joan Cameron, Jacqueline Franklin, Mayor Gary Davison, Wilma Kenny and MPP John Gerretsen

The newly renovated Grace Hall Community Centre has never looked better than it did on Oct. 19, when members of the Southern Frontenac Community Services (SFCS) and the Grace Hall Arts Committee unveiled its first official arts and heritage show. Hung throughout the immaculately and tastefully restored main hall, which was the main sanctuary of the 150 plus-year-old church, was an eclectic art show demonstrating the work of numerous talented artists in the community. The show was organized by local artists Wilma Kenny, Rose Stewart, Don Connolly and Hanna Back, all members of the Grace Hall Arts Committee.

SFCS Executive Director David Townsend opened the afternoon celebration, which was attended by South Frontenac Mayor Gary Davison; John Gerretsen, Attorney General of Ontario and MPP for Kingston and The Islands; Randy Hillier, MPP for LFLA; and Jacqueline Franklin of the Ontario Trillium Foundation, along with numerous councilors and staff from the Township of South Frontenac.

In his opening remarks Townsend spoke of the miraculous transformation of the former church sanctuary and of the promise made over one year ago at the church’s 150-year anniversary celebrations to “open up this great hall for the benefit and use of the entire community.” Townsend thanked the many people and organizations who allowed the SFCS to deliver on that promise, namely the Southeast Local Health Integration Network (LHIN), the Ontario Trillium Foundation and Canadian Heritage along with numerous community builders and supporters. Townsend gave a special thanks to SFCS's board of directors and to Board Chair Joan Cameron in particular, whom he credited with having the vision and foresight for the transformation.

Joan Cameron recalled the steps in the hall’s renovation, crediting all who were involved, including the granting agencies. She also looked to the future and to the upcoming addition to the building, which will allow rental space for other agencies that will be sharing space in the hall.

The hall will now act as the home for the numerous programs the SFCS offers for seniors in the community, as well as other recreational activities like Tai Chi and the VON Smart Program. It will also be the permanent home for various care and support groups and will also be the new home for the First Sydenham Brownies and Sparks.

The permanent heritage exhibit in the hall consists of four exquisite storytelling quilts made by artist, author and local historian Wilma Kenny, along with numerous historical photographs from the area. Wilma gave the final address and spoke of the rich history of the area and how the hall will become a new hub for artists and musicians in the community.

The following day, October 20, the celebrations continued at the new centre with performances and presentations by a wide array of local artists, musicians, actors and authors, all a testament to the fact that the newly refurbished Grace Hall Community Centre has indeed ignited a new spark for community arts and has become a new focal point for arts in the community.