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This past Friday the Ontario Heritage Trust hosted a special event at the historic Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres to mark the beginning of Heritage Week 2013. This year’s celebrations, which run from February 18th to 24th, focus on a core theme of cultural expression. During the week-long event Ontarians are invited to celebrate the connections between the arts, creativity, culture and heritage within their communities, while also recognizing the important work and contributions of heritage organizations province-wide.
Thomas H.B. Symons, Chairman of the Ontario Heritage Trust kicked off the event with an open invitation to those attending: “Ontario artists interpret the past, present and future of our province in ways that encourage us to view our shared stories from different perspectives. From the Group of Seven and the First Nations’ Woodland School art movement to contemporary visual art, the talent and creativity that Ontarians possess is extraordinary” said Mr. Symons, “I invite all Ontarians to become inspired during Heritage Week by exploring the exciting creative culture in their communities”. Other speakers at the event included MPP Glen Murray, Marshall Pynokski, Co-Artistic Director of Opera Atelier, and cultural explorers Sue and Jim Waddington, known for their enchanting photographic recreations of Group of Seven classics.
This year also marks the 100th anniversary of the Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres at 189 Yonge Street. Built in 1913, the Edwardian stacked theatres are the last of their kind in the world. The cultural and historic significance of theatres, coupled with underuse and deterioration of the building itself, led to the purchase of the property in 1981 by the Ontario Heritage Foundation (since renamed Ontario Heritage Trust). The subsequent restoration in the late 1980s breathed new life into the aging facility, bringing it back to the forefront of Toronto’s theatre community. In celebration of Heritage Week, free tours of the theatre complex are being offered to the general public throughout the week. A link is available at the bottom of the article for those interested.
As part of the celebration, the Honourable David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, will present the Lieutenant Governor’s Ontario Heritage Awards in partnership with the Trust at Queen’s Park on Friday. The awards are given out annually to individuals or organizations that make outstanding contributions towards the goal of conserving Ontario’s heritage.
For additional information regarding Heritage Week 2013 and guided tours of The Elgin and Winter Garden Theatres, please visit the related links posted below:
Ontario Heritage Trust Website
Guided Tours of Elgin and Winter Garden Theatre Centre
