Critical Mass
A Centre for Contemporary Art
Welcome to Critical Mass!
We believe in Art for All!
Critical Mass is a not-for-profit contemporary art organization based in Port Hope, Ontario, on the traditional territory of the Mississauga Nations. We are grateful to have the opportunity to work, create and present art on these lands that the Williams Treaties First Nations have been and continue to be the stewards and caretakers.
We believe that art changes how we see the world and our place in it. We bring contemporary art experiences to Port Hope so that everyone in our community can have that opportunity.
Stay connected for updates to our programming schedule, artist residency calls and line up, artist talks & spotlights, volunteer opportunities, member events, and community engagement activities.
What’s On & Featured
5th Annual Pumpkin Parade (Nov 1)
It’s that time of year again! The day after Halloween (November 1st), we bring out all those creatively designed and carved Jack-O-lanterns and put them out on display in Lent Lane for one last chance to shine! Click for all the pumpkin parade details!
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Life of a Small Town
Life of a Small Town by Greta Grip & Lee Jones will document a year in the life of the Port Hope community emerging from the pandemic together.
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We're off to see the Wizard – Costume & Puppet Parade! Friday, October 20 – 6PM
The Wizard of Oz was first seen at The Capitol Theatre in 1939. Follow the yellow brick road with us on October 20, 2023 to experience it in the very same place! Join us for an illuminated Wizard of Oz themed costume and puppet parade to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Vintage Film Festival, and the return of Wizard of Oz on the BIG screen. Click for parade and workshop registration details!
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Greta Grip – Life of a Small Town
Life of a Small Town by Greta Grip & Lee Jones will document a year in the life of the Port Hope community emerging from the pandemic together.
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Letting Go – Collaborative Art Show & Sale (Oct 4-13)
This June & July 10 artists (2 groups of 5) participated in a residency project resulting in 10 collaborative artworks. See all 10 artworks at Ganaraska Art & Framing from October 4th to 14th, with a closing Artist Reception on Friday, October 12th!
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Lee Jones – Life of a Small Town
Life of a Small Town by Greta Grip & Lee Jones will document a year in the life of the Port Hope community emerging from the pandemic together.
Read moreA look back on our 1st Residency Cohort
AIR Wrap Up Celebration Event
That’s a Wrap! Critical Mass celebrates the artists of our pilot Artist-in-Residence program, and our funders Ontario Trillium Foundation and Municipality of Port Hope who made it all possible. Join us Saturday, Oct 23rd at 5:30 p.m. for an early evening picnic to recap the highlights!
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Mast Year Collective – July 2021
During their residency, Mast Year Collective will explore how food – from making, to sharing, to eating – is entwined and grounded in our physical environments both past and present.
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2021 Artist-in-Residence Line Up
We are excited to announce our 2021 artist in residence line up! Made possible with funding from Ontario Trillium Foundation.
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Brian Hoad – August 2021
During his residency, Brian Hoad will explore personal narratives from his time coming-of-age in Port Hope, considering themes of memory, nostalgia, and an interest in how people connect with their envionment, both now and throughout history.
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Susan Campbell – June 2021
During her residency, Susan Campbell will be mapping the evolving cultural palimpsest of what our community values and preserves. How we talk to one another through messages, notes, posters, and official signs can be mapped from our environment.
Lucas Morneau – September 2021
During their residency, Lucas Morneau will explore the cultural environment in sports (hockey in particular), and reclaim the racially charged and homophobic pejoratives often used to attack a player’s “manliness”.
Read moreFind us online
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The latest news from Facebook
Meet Katie Flindall and Meghan Sheffield – who artists and mothers living on Michi Saagig territory in Cobourg, who will be leading over 100 students Beatrice Strong Public School, Port Hope High School and Cobourg Collegiate Institute in the co-creation f a multidisciplinary art project that embraces literacy, theatre, storytelling, publishing, and sculpture. 3 CommentsComment on Facebook So excited for this project! Look so fun!!!! Can’t wait to make art together!!
In partnership with our friends at the Capitol Theatre, and inspired by the Frog and Toad works of Arnold Lobel, students will join together with Katie and Meghan to help create a large-scale sculptural installation, as well as accompanying zines and self-published booklets, that will be on exhibit at the Capitol Theatre during this spring’s theatrical production of A Year With Frog & Toad, which runs from May 17, 2024 to June 2, 2024.
An Opening Reception will be held on Friday, May 17th from 5-6:30 p.m. in the Capitol Theatre lobby gallery (at 20 Queen St, in downtown Port Hope). All are invited!
With the generous support of the Rotary Club of Port Hope, 100 students who participated in this collaborative artwork, will also have the opportunity to take a field trip with their peers (grades 4 through 12) to see the production of A Year With Frog & Toad and stay for a special backstage tour and talk back afterwards.
On April 22nd, all are welcome to drop in to the Port Hope Public Library (from 4-7:00 p.m) for some fun-filled Frog & Toad activities! Pay-what-you-can to support the Capitol’s Season Rollout community fundraiser.
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