The First Annual Sheila Boyd Artist and Artisan Show and Sale
The History: The building itself was originally the office of Mossom Boyd, the lumber magnet who was one of the originals of Bobcaygeon. When his last descendant, Sheila Boyd, died, she willed it to the Museum. The Sheila Boyd Museum is a beautiful stone building located right by the Trent-Severn Cana,l replete with two fireplaces and a stained-glass window. It houses the history of Bobcaygeon. It’s main tenant was the Village library. As it was so central, it became the go to place for residents and tourists alike over the years. When the decision was made to move the library to the other end of the village, over the protests of a majority of it’s citizens, it left a large part of this building vacant. Concern arose over what would happen to the building. This is when some of us, loosely at the time, decided we had to do something to help maintain it.
The Beginning: We began by talking and emailing one another other and consulting with Barb McFadden, the Curator of the Museum and her volunteers and gradually the idea of an annual artists and artisans show gelled as a way to bring in a yearly source of income that would help with the costs of keeping the building open and finally give Bobcaygeon and area artists a venue for displaying their talent.
The Show: We settled on a committee of 8. The committee for the First Annual Sheila Boyd Artists and Artisans Juried Show and Sale. It’s a mouthful and we will probably refine it next year. Most of us are artists and have been in shows ourselves, but none of us have ever put on a show. It’s been a long and harried journey for us. Believe me, there is a lot more to doing this than we ever imagined. We started this spring with a hope, because it was late to call for artists for this summer, but our hope became a reality as we now have 20 individuals or groups that responded. Local merchants also have all been most helpful in displaying our posters, here, in Buckhorn and in Fenelon Falls. One in particular, ReMax, offered to print said posters for us. This was an offer we couldn’t refuse. We’ve ironed out all our problems but one. We desperately need volunteers for the day before and the day of the show to help with set up and tear down for vendors who require an extra hand. We also need volunteers to act as runners the day of the show to keep things running smoothly as most of our committee will be in the show.
Both inside and outside grounds will be populated with a wide variety of talent. The Museum offered to host a hospitality tent where light refreshments can be had, and local musicians will be playing on the outside grounds as well. All the proceeds from this effort will be turned over to the Museum.
