The Firework Shop List Blog

Two-day event, which starts Jan. 23, features art show, workshops, igloo-making, skating and much more

Denis Bolohan’s artwork is really hot; in fact, it’s on fire.

“You create a form out of wood, one by twos or two by fours. The whole form is encompassed with straw and then you burn it,” explained the Cookstown-based artist. “What you’re trying to do is create movement within the piece.”

Bolohan is working on a new sculpture that will light up the evening at the Alton Mill on Saturday, Jan. 23, during the two-day winter art event dubbed Fire & Ice.

“The piece I’m doing for (the event) is a secret. It will be all encased within straw and as it burns away, a form will be revealed,” said Bolohan who has been creating fire sculptures since 2001. “It’ll be about 12 feet in diameter.”

Bolohan says those who have seen this type of work before, especially during the annual Farhenheit Festival of Fire held near Windsor, often find themselves mesmerized.

“It’s awe inspiring, for lack of anything else to say,” he said. “For me, it’s a chance to make a form that has some type of movement in it. It’s more of a performance than art on a wall. You know it’s fleeting. You know it’s ephemeral. It happens in that 20 minutes and it’s gone, it’s finished.”

Bolohan’s piece is just one part of a packed lineup at the arts fest, which runs Saturday Jan. 23 from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

“The event that is called Fire & Ice is one of an ongoing series of season events that are to provide an experience for people to come to the Alton Mill to enjoy the building and the artists,” said Jeremy Grant, who is one of the organizers. “Hopefully, they’ll have an experience that is community- and family-oriented and just pure fun.”

Over the course of both days, visitors will have a chance to meet the resident artists, watch demonstrations, buy some art or participate in hands-on learning.

“During the day, we have a bunch of workshops for adults and children. There’s a digital photography workshop, knitting workshops, some pottery and jewelry workshops, and how to draw horses,” said Grant.

Painter Heather Stephenson is also organizing an art show, called Winter Works, to be held in the Millrace Room to show off the work of the 33 artists who have studios on site.

“I’ve just asked everyone to put forth something they feel is a good example of their own style,” she said. “It’ll give a flavour for what everybody does and how they’re all unique.”

And that’s just what’s going on inside the historic Mill. Outside, weather permitting, there will be a curling clinic, skating, shinny games, guided hikes and an igloo making workshop.

“It’s a winterfest … but it’s an art-oriented event,” said Grant.

There are some special events planned exclusively for the Saturday, including a charity pond hockey game between the Alton firefighters and a team being dubbed the Caledon Notables, which is still being composed and may include former Olympians or ex-NHLers.

“This is the first year we’re doing this. I hope it will be an annual event,” said Grant. “We hope to make it bigger for next year.”

Funds raised through the game will go to benefit Caledon Youth Services and the Alton Mill Pond Rehabilitation Fund, which is a community fund that has been put together to clean up the mill pond, said Grant.

There will also be “a fun little thing with maple syrup candy,” the proceeds of which will go to the mill pond effort, he added.

In the early evening, on both days, there will be storytelling and refreshments served up around a fire pit “that is almost a piece of art unto itself,” according to Grant.

The lighting of Bolohan’s fire sculpture will follow the Saturday story time.

“It’s not quite like fireworks, but it has elements of art and fire,” he said. “It’s going to end the day around 6 p.m. Basically, it’s a wooden object that will be designed to be burned in a controlled way and as it unfolds, it becomes an artistic piece.”

Shaw’s Creek Café will be serving up hot food and hot drinks throughout the weekend, for those who work up an appetite.

Saturday will be capped off with musical performances including a band with a name that conjures art — Still Life. Admission to that show will cost $10.

“Overall, the intention is to try to encourage the local community to come and enjoy the beauty of this historical site,” said Grant. “There’s no doubt in my mind the highlight will be the fire sculpture.”

For a complete listing of all the activities and times, visit www.altonmill.ca.

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