Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Arts
NIAGARA PUMPHOUSE VISUAL ART CENTRE
The
Niagara Pumphouse Visual Art Centre
(247 Ricardo St., 905/468-5455,
www.niagarapumphouse.ca
,
noon-4pm Mon.-Fri., 1pm-4pm Sat.-Sun. May-Nov., free) re-
minds us not to judge a topic by its cover. The outside of this brick building is Victorian
and blocky, but the interior explodes with creativity. This building once housed the pumps
that brought water to the village of Niagara-on-the-Lake. Today, it is home to the work of
local artists and provides a space for new artists to learn their craft. Exhibitions change fre-
quently, so check the website for updated information.
RIVERBRINK ART MUSEUM
The benefactor of the
Riverbrink Art Museum
(116 Queenston St., 905/262-4510,
www.riverbrink.org
,
10am-5pm daily late May-Oct., 10am-5pm Wed.-Sat. Nov.-late May,
$5adults,$4seniorsandstudents,children12andunderfree),SamuelWeir,likedthefacil-
itysomuchthatheisburiedintheyard.Weir,aneccentric artcollector andsuccessfullaw-
yer, found beauty in many things, especially art. His passion for collecting works is mani-
fest in this museum, which was his home and is now his permanent resting place.
ThemuseumfocusesontheworksofCanadianfineartists,aswellasotherworksofhis-
torical events. Many pieces depict life in southern Ontario, including a collection of paint-
ingsfromtheWarof1812era.ThemuseumisalsowellknownforitsInuitsculpture.There
are more than 1,000 pieces in its collection, plus a robust exhibition schedule.
Festivals and Events
Start the new year properly by attending the
Niagara Icewine Festival
(
www.niagarawinefestival.com
)
, hosted by wineries throughout the Niagara region in the
latter three weeks of January. Imagine drinking wine from a glass made of freshly carved
ice or roasting ice wine marshmallows over a fire accompanied by a perfectly paired vin-
tage. This festival marries two things for which southern Ontario is famous: good wine and
freezing cold weather! It's a great reason to be outside. Tasting fees vary by winery. Events
are open to people of all ages; sparkling grape juice is substituted for wine for underage
participants, or those who avoid alcohol.
