Event Type : Arts and Culture

Letters to the Earth: Between Despair and Hope will be on display at the Agnes Jamieson Gallery from September 24 to November 28, 2026. The opening reception takes place on Saturday, September 26 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

Curated by Carmel Brennan, and featuring work by 25 artists, this mixed media exhibition invites communities to participate in an ongoing conversation about the environmental crisis—one that is affecting people around the world and Canadians directly. Brennan believes that we must not only begin this conversation, but continue it, asking: How can our actions and creative practices truly make an impact today?

Through her curatorial experience, Brennan has observed that audiences respond most strongly to the creative arts when stories are shared that communicate urgency, care, and meaning. To participate in Letters to the Earth, artists are asked to handwrite a personal letter to the Earth and submit it to Brennan alongside their artwork. This gesture underscores Brennan’s belief that environmental action must be personal to inspire real change.

The opening reception will take place on Saturday, September 26 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.  Opening remarks and a dance performance by contributing artist Noriko Yamamoto will start at 1:30 pm.  All are welcome.  Refreshments will be served.  Admission is by donation.

Letters to the Earth: Between Despair and Hope will be on display at the Agnes Jamieson Gallery from September 24 to November 28, 2026. The opening reception takes place on Saturday, September 26 from 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM.

Curated by Carmel Brennan, and featuring work by 25 artists, this mixed media exhibition invites communities to participate in an ongoing conversation about the environmental crisis—one that is affecting people around the world and Canadians directly. Brennan believes that we must not only begin this conversation, but continue it, asking: How can our actions and creative practices truly make an impact today?

Through her curatorial experience, Brennan has observed that audiences respond most strongly to the creative arts when stories are shared that communicate urgency, care, and meaning. To participate in Letters to the Earth, artists are asked to handwrite a personal letter to the Earth and submit it to Brennan alongside their artwork. This gesture underscores Brennan’s belief that environmental action must be personal to inspire real change.

The opening reception will take place on Saturday, September 26 from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM.  Opening remarks and a dance performance by contributing artist Noriko Yamamoto will start at 1:30 pm.  All are welcome.  Refreshments will be served.  Admission is by donation.

The Pacifist Who Went to War (2002), directed by David Neufeld, follows the story of two Mennonite brothers from Manitoba who were forced to decide in 1939, as Canada joined World War II. In the face of 400 years of pacifist tradition, should they now go to war? Ted Engbrecht chose to become a conscientious objector, serving in alternative service camps, while his brother John made the difficult choice to enlist and serve in the military. The film examines how the brothers’ contrasting paths impacted their relationship and their community. Presented in partnership with Haliburton County Public Library, this screening is open to all ages.

Admission is free. No pre-registration is required.

Griefwalker (2008), directed by Tim Wilson, follows Stephen Jenkinson, who was once the leader of a palliative care counselling team at Toronto’s Mount Sinai Hospital. Through his daytime job, he has been at the deathbed of well over 1,000 people. He experiences people go through what he calls “a wretched anxiety and an existential terror” even when there is no pain. This film aims to announce deaths are not something to be denied or avoided but ‘befriended’ as challenging. Combining beautiful imagery of the impermanence of nature, Griefwalker leaves us with a deeper understanding of how our deaths could be held as a prized possession. Presented in partnership with Haliburton County Public Library, this screening is open to all ages.

Admission is free. No pre-registration is required.