$29,000 OTF grant from Ontario Government PMAC Rejuvenation

Alexandria, ON – On Friday, local MPP Stéphane Sarrazin met with the team at the Priest’s Mill Arts Centre (PMAC) to celebrate a $29,000 Capital grant which funded the modernization of the Centre and supplemented the multipurpose studio’s furniture as part of the Centre’s rejuvenation.

Over the past 18 months, the historic grist mill’s ground floor was transformed into a first-class art gallery and multipurpose studio. The gallery and studio are the first phases of a multi-year member-funded rejuvenation strategy for PMAC to become a self-sustaining creative hub where the community can participate in enriching creative experiences. Since embarking on its rejuvenation journey, more than 30 artists have signed up with gallery and the Centre’s Friends of PMAC cadre has grown more than ten-fold.

“The Priest’s Mill Arts Centre is a shining example of how community-driven vision, creativity, and dedication can transform a historic space into a vibrant hub for local talent. I’m proud that the Government of Ontario, through the Ontario Trillium Foundation, is supporting this incredible rejuvenation,” said Stéphane Sarrazin, MPP for Glengarry—Prescott—Russell. “This investment not only enhances the artistic opportunities available in North Glengarry, but it also strengthens community engagement and local tourism. Congratulations to the entire PMAC team for their leadership and commitment to the arts.”

The grant also enabled PMAC to build out it’s warm glass studio’s repertoire with modern safety-first kilns and equipment. “This grant boosts the warm glass studio’s development into a first-rate facility and sets us well on the path to developing a bench-mark studio which our community’s artists can use to develop professionally.” said Executive Director, Lourens Joubert. The new equipment and expanded capacity will allow the Centre to offer more opportunities for the community to participate. “It’s exciting to now offer our community’s visual artists a well-appointed studio space where they can work, collaborate and teach.” added Lourens.

“We’re grateful for the support, the trust and the vote of confidence this grant represents.” Said Barry MacDonald, Chair of PMAC’s Board of Directors. He added that receiving public money from an esteemed grant maker like the Ontario Trillium fund is an affirmation of the work underway to develop PMAC into a self-sustaining community hub for the arts. “The support we’ve received from the Ontario Trillium Fund gives our rejuvenation strategy a substantial boost, allowing us to bring forward the next phase of our rejuvenation strategy.” added Lourens.

The centre’s future development plans include developing flamework, coldwork and glass-blowing studios, and it has made a start on incorporating ceramics into its repertoire.

PMAC, The Priest’s Mill Arts Centre is a creative hub where you can participate in enriching creative experiences. The Centre offers community artists a first-class gallery to exhibit and sell their works.

A multipurpose studio offers artists space and equipment to work and teach and the public opportunities to participate in creative experiences, classes and workshops in various media. Bench- and studio-time is available to experienced and qualified novice artists. The centre’s studio also supports stained-glass and warm glass artists. Plans are in place, and fundraising is underway, to equip flamework, coldwork and glassblowing studios.

The Priest’s Mill Arts Centre is a federally incorporated, soliciting, not-for-profit organisation governed by a board of four unrelated directors.

The Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) is an agency of the Ontario government with a mission to build healthy and vibrant communities across the province. Last year, OTF invested nearly $105M into 732 community projects and multi-sector partnerships. Projects aim to enhance economic well-being, foster more active lifestyles, support child and youth development, provide spaces for people to come together and connect, and create a more sustainable environment. Visit otf.ca to learn more.

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Issued by

Priest’s Mill Arts Centre — PMAC

Lourens Joubert

Executive Director

647 226 3223

Lourens@priestsmill.ca

Learn more at www.pmac.art

Media Contact

Office of MPP Stéphane Sarrazin

Noémie Prevost

Communications and Public Relations

noemie.prevost@pc.ola.org