Within the grounds of a high school, there are decades of memories within lockers and bathroom stalls, under bleachers and on the football field. There have been broken hearts and championships, school dances and graduations. With diploma in hand, many of us begin the quest for bigger opportunity, leaving behind the memories, likely never to see those four walls again – except for maybe at a reunion.
However, the alumni of Queen Elizabeth Park high school have a unique opportunity to walk those halls again – though the halls may look vastly different. In March 2012, the school re-opened after an extensive renovation under new ownership of the Town of Oakville, a community rich in arts, culture and heritage. The multi-use facility is housed inside the old QE Park high school north of Rebecca Street in West Oakville and features more than 144,000 square feet of activity space, making it one of the largest venues of its kind in Canada. It was purchased and renovated by the Town of Oakville at a cost of $27 million and, as far as they know, there isn’t another building of its kind in Canada that provides so many activities under one roof.
Since the opening, the facility has exceeded community expectations, offering a clay studio, wood shop, fibre arts centre, gallery, swimming pool, fitness studio, performance theatre, and dance studio, among many other amenities.
Susan Amaral, Manager of QEPCCC, says the next few months will be busy at the facility with rotating exhibits, drop-in classes, workshops, and more. Now is a better time than ever to visit this community gem.
Gallery and Hallway Exhibits
The gallery and hallway spaces have rotating exhibits throughout
the year. Entrance to the gallery is free of charge during gallery hours.
Main Gallery:
January – February 2019 : Children’s Photo Exhibit
February – March 2019 : Canadian Tapestry Centre
March – April 2019 : Ontario Society of Artists
April – May 2019 : ArtWorks Oakville
Corridors (Winter Exhbits):
White Oaks High School IB Visual Art program final exhibition, ArtWorks Oakville, Oakville Arts Society, Oakville Camera Club, Oakville Fibre Artists, Oakville Quilters’ Guild, Studio 3 Members, Youth Centre Exhibition, Lisa Rubic, Jay Park, Pam Read & Gina Morewood, Suzana Poposka, Laura Kay Keeling
Call for Exhibition Submissions
The Town of Oakville is developing a Public Art program to integrate artists and artwork into the development of applicable public projects. Art is to be acquired through a public process with the specific intention of being in the public realm. Public art may be temporary or permanent artworks and may include but is not limited to sculptures, mosaics, banners, earthworks, or street furniture.
The next deadline for submissions is September 1, 2019.
Drop-In Classes
All-Ages Ceramics Drop-In on Saturdays, 2:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Check out the clay studio whether you are a novice or a pro, or just curious about clay! Children must be accompanied/supervised by an adult at all times.
Older Adult Centre
QEPCCC has an Older Adults Centre with a wide range of activities and programs for 50+. Upcoming events include:
March 13, St. Patrick’s Day Party
Annual St. Patrick’s Day Party in the Black Box featuring a Celtic trio called Erin’s Marlore. A light lunch will be served along with some good Irish tunes. Tickets are $15 per person.
April 10, Easter Bonnet Tea & Flower Arranging Workshop
Celebrate the start of spring with tea and a flower arranging demonstration by a local florist.
Wear your favourite Easter bonnet. Tickets are $8.00
which includes light refreshments.
Youth
Every year, Oakville celebrates National Youth Week with FREE activities, learning opportunities and events for youth
ages 11-19.
Throughout the week of May 1 to May 6, youth will have FREE access to all drop-in youth programs, open houses at all Town of Oakville youth centres, creative activities with the Oakville Public Library, and so much more!
School and Group Visits
With unique programming options, students can experience hands-on learning in performing arts, studio arts, recreation, youth education, heritage programs, and more.
Want to be added to the teacher’s email list about upcoming school curriculum events? Please email shelly.datseris@oakville.ca
by Annieliese Lawton
Local Link
Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre
Oakville.ca
