Time to Explore
Orillia’s young artists on the downtown arts scene
By Jordan Chemerys, Contributor
Sourced from @mainprize.art on IG
Craig Mainprize, a young visual artist in Orillia, runs a personal studio in the Orillia Arts District, and he maintains optimism about the hope for artistic endeavours within the city. Mainprize acknowledges that, within Orillia, “there’s a sense that we’re all working together and continuing the long history of Orillia as a vibrant arts community.” Markedly, this is accounted for by the plethora of opportunities for creation and self-expression downtown.
Mainprize also acknowledges the spirit of entrepreneurship within the arts community in Orillia. Thanks to events such as Starry Night and The Images Tour, young local artists have many opportunities to commune with other artists, experiment with new ideas, and sell their artwork.
While the opportunities for entrepreneurship, involvement, and education are many, there are still niches that Orillia could improve upon. Another local artist, Drayton Ball, creates music and poetry and has had the opportunity to extend his art through the Orillia scene, particularly at The Brownstone Cafe. He acknowledges that not all downtown spaces are as open to artistic freedom as the Brownstone, and that Orillia may improve with increased opportunities for street artists and poets to share their creative messages publicly.
Ball notes that “most places downtown won’t let certain people play because of genre- and crowd-pleasing worries.” He goes on to state that artists should not be swayed to abandon their creative freedom simply to be accepted within these environments. As Ball states, “there is beauty in everything,” and this diverse beauty should be better acknowledged.
A common feeling and vitality that fuels both Mainprize and Ball is the idea that there is magic in creating art. As many artists may agree, art is a form of breadwinning that seeks to share that magic with others, and this offers unique rewards to a dynamic, growing community like Orillia.
In Orillia, many people are deeply interested in expressing themselves and participating in the arts scene. As a city, we are going through developmental changes which are accelerating the reception of individuality while simultaneously bringing more people together. It is for these reasons that Orillia is an excellent place for self-expression and artistic openness.
For further interest in the Orillia arts scene, inquire around the pubs, museums, art studios, and downtown spaces for upcoming events. And for artistic entrepreneurs, consider the possibilities of opening or promoting a receptive hub for emerging underground artists and musicians. We have yet to see the full potential of what Orillia has to offer. It is time to explore.
