Journey Through The Arts

Journey Through the Arts was established in 2002 as an exciting music, art and drama programme for kids. To date, over 350 participants ranging in age from six to thirteen have experienced the widest range of arts interaction in Northumberland County. During JTTA’s very successful summer programmes which are held in one week sessions throughout July and August at the Old Art School, Port Hope, students are given the opportunity to participate in workshops in mask making, painting, song writing, guitar, drama activities and more. Each week culminates into a final Open House, which gives kids an opportunity to showcase what they have learned. JTTA has been founded on the belief that music, art and drama are important staples in a child’s growth and development. In 2004 JTTA expanded it’s programming to include after school, weekend, Christmas and March Break workshops.

It was also in 2004 when music instructor Mike Woods began to offer private guitar lessons in Port Hope. In the fall of 2004, Christine Benson and Mike Woods were the coordinators of the Children’s Area at the Shelter Valley Folk Festival (held in Northumberland County), which featured storytellers, musicians, art activities and a costume parade! In the winter of 2004 we expanded our children’s programming into local schools and various school boards where we presented educational workshops ranging from sculpture to printmaking. 2005 was a busy year for JTTA where we debuted our adult workshops, providing a friendly studio environment for introducing various art mediums to adults in our community. July 1, 2005 marked the official opening of the Journey Through the Arts Gallery, which showcases works by a wide variety of local artists in many mediums. The future goals for JTTA are to continue to offer a wide range of art based workshops and events that can stimulate the mind and awaken the imagination!