Artists in Motion

A group that aspires to bring quality art to Marmora and its surrounding communities.  Our mandate is to provide fine arts and crafts in our store as well as to provide venues for musicians, dramatists, writers and performers to showcase their talents at prices affordable to the community.  We are committed to building community by offering workshops in visual, performing, dramatic and literary arts.

The hugely successful Artists in Motion started out as an idea in the hearts and heads of Christine Dominico and Eilean Tait, two newcomers to Marmora. Both wanted to meet other artists and to foster art and cultural events in Marmora.

From May to August 2008, these two women gathered visual, literary and musical artists with similar dreams.  Christine set up summer workshops held at the train station; Eilean set up an Art in the Park.

In the fall, the idea of including all artists: musicians, writers, dramatists, and visual artists at one show was born and the loose association took a leap forward in their dream of using art to build community and showcase local talent.  The November Christmas Showcase of the Arts was a huge success, taking the community by surprise.

The art group felt so encouraged by the response that Christine decided to pursue funding for a more permanent group.  Artists in Motion was formed and the first executive was chosen. Christine had to be out of the country for several months, so she stepped down to Second Vice-Chair, while Eilean Tait agreed to take over Chair.  Franziska Windover, formerly of The Essence of Art Gallery, became First Vice-Chair; Jane McCoy, who had significant experience in community development, became Treasurer; and Gail Taylor became Secretary.

By March, Artists in Motion (AIM) was incorporated, and Community Futures Corporation Development funding had been obtained for a storefront at 29 Forsyth St. in Marmora where visual and literary artists could display their work. This retail store, which opened in March and has its Grand Opening in July, gives AIM a permanent presence in Marmora.  Local artists are given an opportunity to reach their public in a most relaxed and creative environment. Together this energetic group accomplished in three months what normally takes three years.

AIM has also been making a name for itself in other areas since February 2009:  it has sponsored a literary contest, a juried art show, a dramatic presentation of Burying the Hangman, the musical performances of Lazy John and Kelli Trottier and it set up summer 2009 artist workshops.

The group remains committed to offering quality in all artistic areas. It is the dream of AIM that the beauty, grace and joy of the arts will transform our busy society.  Together we can make a difference.