Community Artists Niagara in partnership with the Niagara Falls 1812 Task Force is very pleased to announce successful funding for “Dispatches 2012”, a community arts project supporting activities to commemorate and celebrate the Bicentennial of War of 1812 in Niagara Falls.
Join MPP Kim Craitor and special guest Mayor Ted Salci on Monday, May 3, at 3 pm, at the Historic Niagara Artistic Exhibition Center at 4323 Queen Street for the presentation of the grant from Ontario’s Cultural Strategic Investment Fund. Volunteers with Community Artists Niagara will also thank the Niagara Falls 1812 Bicentennial Task Force for their commitment to “Dispatches 2012”, a year long project to engage Niagara Falls residents in history and the arts relating to this most significant event in Ontario’s history.
Community Artists Niagara (CAn) is a not-for-profit organization spearheading the arts revival of Niagara Falls’ downtown Queen Street. CAn is the Lead Partner for the “Dispatches 2012” Project Steering Committee which includes many community partners such as the Niagara Falls 1812 Task Force, the Niagara Falls Museums, The Lundy’s Lane United Church, Neto Hatinakwe Onkwehowe Native Arts Canada and local BIAs such as Niagara Falls Downtown, Main and Ferry and Lundy’s Lane. Schools, youth groups and other community organizations are invited to join the Steering Committee to create this series of heritage seminars and skill-building workshops to be scheduled throughout the next year.
CAn launches the first event of “Dispatches 2012”, the Costume Seminar, on Saturday, May 29, 2010 when participants can create a Regency period costume they will enjoy wearing at Bicentennial events around town. The Seminar will take place from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 pm at Lundy’s Lane United Church, including lunch served by the Church’s volunteers. The fee for this introductory seminar is $20. Contact CAn at 289-296-6251 to register.
The “Dispatches 2012” website will be launched soon for further on-line information, photos and progress reports.
Watch for future “Dispatches 2012” announcements of events when authors, historical interpreters, performers, historians, trades demonstrators, artists, educators and community development facilitators lead audiences on an exploration of the War of 1812 in Niagara Falls. As residents gain their historical imaginations learning about their City’s exciting history and develop the skills to work with historical materials and customs, they will be ready to create, deliver, perform, exhibit, promote and enjoy the various heritage activities created to commemorate the Bicentennial during 2012 to 2014, a great time to invite family and friends to join the celebrations!