Art
Spirit Song Festival’s 10th edition brings communities together through art, storytelling
After strutting down a red carpet and snapping pictures with friends, Mi’kmaq visual artist Meagan Musseau watched a digital art display she curated come to life in front of a room full of people.
But for Musseau, the evening was about more than the art display. It was a chance to come together as a community and celebrate Indigenous voices and culture.
“It made me feel really proud to just feel that elevation and to feel that presence, and to feel so many ancestors in the room,” said Musseau. “It felt good.”
The Spirit Song Festival — which began as a small event in St. John’s in 2013 — is back in the city for its 10th edition. This year’s festival is a weeklong celebration, with events happening throughout downtown St. John’s until Saturday.
The festival opened Sunday with a digital art exhibition featuring the work of five Indigenous artists from across the province. The exhibition, called Heart of the Root, consisted of five documentary-style videos showcasing each artist working in their own creative space in their hometowns.
The festival’s opening event featured a red carpet and a digital art exhibition showcasing the work of five Indigenous artists from across the province.
“A lot of times as artists, we’re having to travel to the urban centre,” said Musseau. “So I wanted to flip that and travel to the artists.”
The videos played simultaneously on five separate projectors, allowing guests to walk to each screen to learn more about the art being created.
“It makes me so happy because it looks like a big storybook,” said Musseau. “And the storybook … it’s rooted by love and it’s grounded by love.”
Art as a way to build community
In one of the videos, Inuk artist Monika Rumbolt taught audiences about caribou tufting, which she says is now considered an endangered practice. But she says the exhibit allowed her to pass on this traditional knowledge to others, including Indigenous youth.
“This festival is so much more than exhibitions,” said Rumbolt, who’s from southern Labrador. “It is the creation of community.”
Rumbolt says the exhibit was also a great way to teach people about Labradorian art and artists. She said immersing oneself in art is a way to understand and appreciate what communities and people are experiencing.
“Art is not just art, it is a platform for advocacy,” said Rumbolt. “And it’s just a beautiful way to start reconciliation.”
When Megan Samms saw her art displayed on a projector screen, she says she didn’t feel any nerves because she was surrounded by such a warm community.
“This is such a cosy family-driven festival, and with all the five films being shown at once, these are my kin and neighbours showing at the same time,” said Samms, who is a natural dyer and handweaver based in Codroy Valley.
“So there was comfort there and familiarity, relationality. So I didn’t feel nervous. I felt proud of everybody and I thought they did beautiful work.”
Weeklong festivities
Other events taking place throughout the week include live music performances and panel discussions, a dance party and ulu-making workshops hosted by Mina Campbell.
Campbell taught audiences how to make an ulu during Sunday’s exhibition as one of the featured artists. She began making ulus — knives traditionally used by Inuit women for cutting and skinning animals — around three years ago when the pandemic began.
Campbell said it was a thrill to see her work displayed on the screen.
“It was pretty exciting and scary, but exciting and fun.”
Musseau has participated in the Spirit Song Festival for the last four to five years, and says she’s happy to see how the event has grown over time.
“In terms of an Indigenous arts festival, coming out of the Atlantic region, this is what’s up,” said Musseau. “It feels so good to have participated and also witnessed that growth and to see so much presence and so much attendance.”
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The Courtauld Gallery at Somerset House has reopened its doors to the public after a fire swept through the historic building in central London. While the gallery has resumed operations, the rest of the iconic site remains closed “until further notice.”
On Saturday, approximately 125 firefighters were called to the scene to battle the blaze, which sent smoke billowing across the city. Fortunately, the fire occurred in a part of the building not housing valuable artworks, and no injuries were reported. Authorities are still investigating the cause of the fire.
Despite the disruption, art lovers queued outside the gallery before it reopened at 10:00 BST on Sunday. One visitor expressed his relief, saying, “I was sad to see the fire, but I’m relieved the art is safe.”
The Clark family, visiting London from Washington state, USA, had a unique perspective on the incident. While sightseeing on the London Eye, they watched as firefighters tackled the flames. Paul Clark, accompanied by his wife Jiorgia and their four children, shared their concern for the safety of the artwork inside Somerset House. “It was sad to see,” Mr. Clark told the BBC. As a fan of Vincent Van Gogh, he was particularly relieved to learn that the painter’s famous Self-Portrait with Bandaged Ear had not been affected by the fire.
Blaze in the West Wing
The fire broke out around midday on Saturday in the west wing of Somerset House, a section of the building primarily used for offices and storage. Jonathan Reekie, director of Somerset House Trust, assured the public that “no valuable artefacts or artworks” were located in that part of the building. By Sunday, fire engines were still stationed outside as investigations into the fire’s origin continued.
About Somerset House
Located on the Strand in central London, Somerset House is a prominent arts venue with a rich history dating back to the Georgian era. Built on the site of a former Tudor palace, the complex is known for its iconic courtyard and is home to the Courtauld Gallery. The gallery houses a prestigious collection from the Samuel Courtauld Trust, showcasing masterpieces from the Middle Ages to the 20th century. Among the notable works are pieces by impressionist legends such as Edouard Manet, Claude Monet, Paul Cézanne, and Vincent Van Gogh.
Somerset House regularly hosts cultural exhibitions and public events, including its popular winter ice skating sessions in the courtyard. However, for now, the venue remains partially closed as authorities ensure the safety of the site following the fire.
Art lovers and the Somerset House community can take solace in knowing that the invaluable collection remains unharmed, and the Courtauld Gallery continues to welcome visitors, offering a reprieve amid the disruption.
Sudbury’s annual art and music festival is marking a significant milestone this year, celebrating its long-standing impact on the local cultural scene. The festival, which has grown from a small community event to a major celebration of creativity, brings together artists, musicians, and visitors from across the region for a weekend of vibrant performances and exhibitions.
The event features a diverse range of activities, from live music performances to art installations, workshops, and interactive exhibits that highlight both emerging and established talent. This year’s milestone celebration will also honor the festival’s history by showcasing some of the artists and performers who have contributed to its success over the years.
Organizers are excited to see how the festival has evolved, becoming a cornerstone of Sudbury’s cultural landscape. “This festival is a celebration of creativity, community, and the incredible talent we have here in Sudbury,” said one of the event’s coordinators. “It’s amazing to see how it has grown and the impact it continues to have on the arts community.”
With this year’s milestone celebration, the festival promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a full lineup of exciting events, workshops, and performances that will inspire and engage attendees of all ages.
The festival’s milestone is not just a reflection of its past success but a celebration of the continued vibrancy of Sudbury’s arts scene.
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