Headwaters Arts First Event a Great Success!

Thank you to all who attended and participated in this event.

The afternoon began with beautiful music performed by the Sea Kelpies (Rusty E phemeris and Susan Lind).

David Nairn welcomed everyone and thanked our sponsors, Black Birch Restaurant, Bistro Riviere, Theatre Orangeville, Hills of Headwaters Tourism and the Ministry of Culture.

Monica O'Halloran-Schut provided a brief history of the Headwaters Arts Network (HAN). HAN was created to address priorities identified by the arts community in the Hills of Headwaters through a series of planning meetings between 2003 and 2005. These priorities were addressed in an Action Plan, and four central themes, described as “pillars” were used to provide the focus for the planning and implementation process within the collective arts community, namely:

1. Business and Professional Development
2. Communication
3. Collaborative Marketing
4. Education of the Next Generation of Artists

As HAN shared common ground with the Headwaters Arts Festival it simply made sense to merge our efforts.

Jefferson Mappin spoke to the history of the Headwaters Arts Festival (HAF). HAF began in 1996 as a committee branching from the Hills of Headwaters Tourism Association, along with a group of dedicated artists and volunteers. An annual festival emerged during the fall colours tourism season. In 2001, HAF become its own organization and continued to grow incorporating open studios and spring events such as Kidsfest. HAF has become a public showcase of the region's artistic diversity. To continue to grow the festival, create a membership program and obtain more volunteers, HAF agreed to join forces with HAN. To make that transition smoother, we have received a Ministry of Culture grant in partnership with Hills of Headwaters Tourism. The grant will allow Headwaters Arts to host a launch event, increase internal communications including this blog, create an arts sector calendar, pursue marketing and branding endeavours, board training, and provide professional workshops such as this one.

Margi Taylor Self announced the new Board of Headwaters Arts, reviewed a list of committees that need volunteers and introduced an emerging Membership Program.


Membership: The Board of Headwaters Arts is working on a membership program. Membership fees and benefits have not been finalized. We are thinking of ideas like:

Special, members-only pricing for:
- Entry fees to the juried Headwaters Art Show and Sale
- Listing fees for events and/or open studios for the annual arts festival
- Tickets for events, parties and seminars hosted by Headwaters Arts
- Memberships with our partner Headwaters Tourism
- Subscription to Headwaters Arts' e-newsletter (to help you stay in-touch with artistic happenings in the region)
- Basic web page with an image, contact information and short descriptive copy


Volunteers are the backbone of Headwaters Arts. Some put in many hours throughout the year. Others step in as they can to take on specific tasks. We’re seeking new members with energy and enthusiasm to participate in:

Membership Committee: We need people to assist us in developing a Membership Benefits Package.

Festival and Events Committees: While one group focuses on mounting our traditional fall Festival events, others are seeking to expand programming – such as the new Music Committee

Marketing Committee: This team plays a key role in promoting events, facilitating collaborative marketing, and supporting fundraising

Professional Development and Arts Education Committee: The goal of this committee is to provide business and professional development opportunities to established and emerging artists – through events, workshops, and information exchange.

Outreach and Internal Communications Committee: Focused on “people,” including volunteer recruitment and recognition, this committee connects artists and friends of the arts, and liaises with related community groups such as Arts Councils, municipal governments, Headwaters Tourism Association

Finance, Funding and Membership Committee: Headwaters Arts could not exist without the generous support of governments, corporate sponsors, and individual donors. This team leads the fundraising effort, and is building our new membership program.

Music Committee: Your chance to have your voice heard in this formative committee. Lots of ideas have come forward for professional development workshops, talent contests with prizes including recording studio time, local performances, etc.

Alton Mill Gallery Committee: We need people to assist us in developing the Alton Mill Gallery into a vibrant arts destination.


David Nairn encouraged those present to get involved with Headwaters Arts in any way they can. Volunteerism is so important in supporting our community.

Wayne Baguley, new President of Headwaters Arts, gave a heartfelt speech to the audience stating that only with a collective voice will we grow. It is our responsibility to nurture our artistic community. We want to make Headwaters a whole package - art, restaurants, golf, theatre, inns - an attractive destination to all visitors, nationally and eventually internationally.

Cory Trépanier provided the audience with an inspiring overview of his en plein air landscape painting style as well as the business of art. He outlined the unique challenges of painting in the arctic or northern Ontario - nightfall, the cold and wind, hurricanes, polar bears and carrying all that gear. Cory also related the challenges of marketing and promoting which is a daunting task to many but is so important to success.

Cory provided the following marketing tips: Build an effective mailing list. Start an email newsletter (that says something important each time you send it). Find a business mentor. Learn about marking--There are many podcasts and books to help you such as "The Art of Selling to the Affluent: How to Attract, Service, and Retain Wealthy Customers & Clients for Life" by Matt Oechsli. Build an effective website and change your homepage regularly. Tell your story and share your artistic process with your clients. Leverage the mystery of making art. Engage your clients. Why do all of this? To enable you to pursue your aspirations! Thank you Cory for sharing some of your experiences and your wonderful work! http://intothearctic.com/



2008/2009
Board of Directors







(left to right)
Wayne Baguley, President - Realtor
Monica O’Halloran-Schut, Vice-President - Artist
Jefferson Mappin, Treasurer - Actor
Janet Eagleson - Public Affairs Associate - Peel Health
Jeremy Grant - VP Development & Planning – Seaton Group (Alton Mill)
Rosemary Hasner - Artist
Adrian Horwood - Senior VP Marketing & Communications National Bank Financial
Mary Lazier - Artist
Janice Simpson - Organizational Consultant
Anne-Marie Warburton - Jewellery Artist / Gallery Owner
Margi Taylor Self, Past President - Artist / Conference & Event Organizer
Sharlene Rankin - Executive Director (in front)
David Nairn - Artistic Director, Theatre Orangeville (in front)


Thank you to all those volunteers that made this event happen. Thanks again to our sponsors!