Myths and Mirrors hosts free summer programming in Sudbury’s Flour Mill community

For the third summer in a row, Myths and Mirrors Community Arts in Greater Sudbury has offered free unique arts program to the city’s Flour Mill community.

Myths and Mirrors Community Arts hosted its first Art in the Park session at the Ryan Heights Playground in Greater Sudbury, Ont., on July 9, 2024. (Myths and Mirrors Community Arts/Facebook)

Since 1996, the grass-roots organization Myths and Mirrors has provided opportunities for people of all ages and from all different backgrounds to experience and take part in the arts who might not otherwise be able to.

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Every Tuesday for the summer, the community arts organization will be at the Ryan Heights Playground from noon to 4 p.m. with no-cost art programming specifically geared to children and families in the neighbourhood.

For the third summer in a row, Myths and Mirrors Community Arts in Greater Sudbury has offered free unique arts program to the city’s Flour Mill community. Every Tuesday for the summer, the community arts organization will be at the Ryan Heights Playground from noon to 4 p.m. with no-cost art programming. (Myths and Mirrors Community Arts/Facebook)

In previous years, the Art in The Park program’s activities have included creating paper mache masks and clay models along with a creative writing project. So far this year participants have done rock painting, button crafts and tie-dyed shirts.

On the horizon, organizers said custom temporary tattoo making is on the agenda.

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Guest artists

Also, new this year is the addition of regional artists who are being brought in to facilitate special workshops for those in attendance.

“We have been able to bring in some guest artists – which he haven’t been able to do in previous years,” said Cora-Rae Silk, Myths and Mirrors’ artistic director.

Last week, a CTVNewsNorthernOntario.ca staff member attended the Art in the Park session and caught up with a guest artist from North Bay, Ont.

Eberechukwu Valerie Odoemenam hosted an original portraiture workshop called ‘Word-Traits’ on July 30.

Eberechukwu Valerie Odoemenam is an artist who infuses vibrant scenes with personal narratives. She has three years of experience as an artist and educator through her North Bay art practice at Chukuu Studio. (Dan Bertrand/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Odoemenam is an artist who infuses vibrant scenes with personal narratives. She has three years of experience as an artist and educator through her North Bay art practice at Chukuu Studio.

“I think the most important thing is for kids to be able to see their own abilities – especially in things like art that sometimes can be repressed,” she said.

Odoemenam said he since children learn to express themselves at a young age they can often do really great work when they want to.

Odoemenam said they had the privilege of doing workshops like this in her native Nigeria.

“I saw the impact it had on both really young kids and beginner adults who just take joy in doing art,” she said.

“I wanted to bring that energy to Sudbury.”

Myths and Mirrors Community Arts hosted a free Art in the Park session featuring a workshop by guest artist Eberechukwu Valerie Odoemenam from North Bay at the Ryan Heights Playground in Greater Sudbury, Ont., on July 30, 2024. (Dan Bertrand/CTV News Northern Ontario)The artist told CTV News that she always had an interest in art and design which led her to study architecture.

 

“After classes, I wanted nothing to do with pencils, so I picked up paintbrushes instead.”

Myths and Mirrors summer art coordinator Emmanuela Van Allen is a local artist.

Local artist Emmanuela Van Allen is Myths and Mirrors's summer art coordinator. (Dan Bertrand/CTV News Northern Ontario)

“When I was younger I started in community arts,” she said.

“So it has a really special place in my heart… I think that programs like this are so important – free art specifically because can healing and such a great resource in the community.”

Myths and Mirrors Community Arts hosted a free Art in the Park session featuring a guest artist from North Bay at the Ryan Heights Playground in Greater Sudbury, Ont., on July 30, 2024. (Dan Bertrand/CTV News Northern Ontario)

Van Allen explained the Art in the Park program does not require and sign-up and people of all ages can show up whenever they’d like or can during a session and participate.

“They get to experience so much art without having to pay or having to sign up for something,” she said.

Myths and Mirrors Community Arts hosted a free Art in the Park session featuring a guest artist from North Bay at the Ryan Heights Playground in Greater Sudbury, Ont., on July 30, 2024. Alexis Duguay-Bertrand stands next to a sign advertising the workshop with her completed 'Word-Traits' portraiture piece. (Dan Bertrand/CTV News Northern Ontario)

A grand finale

On Aug. 27, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., the organization will host a park party, a tradition added last summer, to celebrate another successful year of the program.

“Think dancing, vendors and a vibrant community celebration featuring music, art and delicious food,” the organization wrote on its social media page.

“Come for the art, stay for the fun and leave with new connections in your community.”

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For more information on Myths and Mirrors Community Arts or its art offerings, find them on social media.