Ice Box art event takes new forms – Belleville Intelligencer

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When planners of Prince Edward County’s Ice Box art event started work on their 2021 edition, they realized they had to think outside the box – and create some different boxes.

The event returns Saturday to Prince Edward County with a pandemic-related change of plans.

“We started ICE BOX in 2019 to offer our community fun and creative activities during what is, for many people, the hardest time of the year,” said artistic director Krista Dalby of the Department of Illumination, the group organizing the event.

“Art has the power to lift people’s spirits and we need that more than ever.”

It’s normally based in “ice huts” displaying the work of local artists, but putting strangers in small spaces is a big no-no during a coronavirus pandemic.

During the spring lockdown, photographer Mehdi Agahi approached Dalby with the idea of a new project.

“Despite the fact that we have all this time on our hand, we’re really not feeling inspired to create anything,” Dalby said.

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“When you’re dealing with the trauma of a pandemic, it’s not ideal circumstances for creating.”

Deadlines can, however, motivate artists, she said. They set a 30-day deadline spanning April and May, challenging artists to submit work.

“We had over 300 submissions,” she said. Organizers then chose 96 pieces from 66 county artists to display. The Art in Isolation PEC exhibition in front of the Picton Armoury at 206 Main St. started Friday and will continue for at least a month, said Dalby.

She said it’s “really like a time capsule” from that first lockdown, and includes both serious and light-hearted work.

Ten artists created take-home activity boxes for children. They sold out quickly at a price of $35 but are worth about $200, said Dalby. A $35,000 festivals grant from the Department of Canadian Heritage offset the cost and helped fund other parts of the event.

“It’s created a whole bunch of jobs for artists,” she said, recalling the printing of exhibits, catalogues, etc.

She wouldn’t disclose what’s in the kits, saying only that it’s “a range of creative activities.”

Some artists created tutorial videos posted to the group’s website; some of them show how to make crafts with household items. Dalby said the kits aren’t required for all of them.

The website also features daily online dance parties.

And on Feb. 28, dancer and choreographer Arwyn Carpenter will lead dance flash mobs outside area homes for seniors, something planned in advance with homes. A list of homes wasn’t immediately available.

For more information visit http://www.deptofillumination.org.