Tim McKinney introduced Janet Jarrell, Executive Director of the Quinte Arts Council, today's guest speaker at the Rotary Club of Belleville. In 2018 Janet took over the position of Executive Director and her past experience in the arts, business world, strategic marketing, finance, passion for story telling and her overall hands-on approach to the organization has proved to be very beneficial. The icing on the cake is the Umbrella magazine, created as a vibrant publication, celebrating every sense of ideas, voices and extraordinary artists who shape the cultural life of our region. The magazine is a vital platform for sharing the richness of arts and culture in our community. Janet shared with us that she was born and raised in Belleville, in the farming community and is the 5th generation of her family to live and work here. She can walk to Chisholm Mills.
Janet shared the Quinte Arts Council's values, vision and mission, stating that the arts are for everyone and that they are committed to fostering accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring that all people can experience and contribute to the arts. Their goal is to reflect and celebrate diverse perspectives through artistic expressing. Their belief is that art and culture can enrich rural communities, contributing to a vibrant local economy and quality of life. Arts are an essential voice at the table with all levels of government, shaping policies and priorities. The Quinte Arts Council is committed to building and sustaining partnerships that strengthen and unify the arts community. Artists and arts organizations are to be valued, supported and celebrated by the community, empowering arts workers to achieve creative success with viable, sustainable careers. QAC is the community leader in advancing, cultivating, promoting and advocating for a vibrant and diverse arts community in the Quinte region. The geographic region served is from the southernmost tip of Prince Edward County, north to Bancroft and east and west from Napanee to Brighton.
The big news was the Community Mural Mosaic Project, inviting everyone to help create a stunning 12 x 24 foot mural mosaic to be unveiled in June downtown Belleville. Your artwork could be part of it! Purchase a kit for $40, receive paint and assigned tile and paint your tile in your own unique style. Submit digitally by April 15th and your artwork will likely become part of the massive mural mosaic masterpiece. An opportunity to leave your creative mark on a public artwork that celebrates our community....one tile at a time. Visit Community Mural Mosiac Project and let's create something extraordinary together.
The Quinte Arts Council supports arts education, recognizing artistic excellence and fostering opportunities for aspiring artists through its Arts Education, Awards and Bursaries Program. This program has invested more than $300,000 in support to our local schools and arts community! Brenda Snider thanked Janet for her presentation and her leadership in all that QAC accomplishes. Arts bring community together and there was some talk about what sort of project could QAC and RLB (Rotary Club of Belleville) put their minds to as a potential fundraiser. Can you smell the smoke?