Dear Members of SCAA,
I am honoured to have been invited by Helen Michlik to organize the 12th Annual Niagara Poets & Painters Collaboration in 2026. I will lead this initiative on behalf of the St. Catharines Art Association (SCAA), which will be proudly celebrating its 75th anniversary next year. I look forward to building on the strong foundation Helen has laid over the past 11 years.
Please find below the key information for your attention and planning:
Venue:
Niagara Falls Art Gallery (NFAG)
8058 Oakwood Drive, Niagara Falls
Exhibition Duration:
April 2 to June 27, 2026 (13 weeks)
Open to the public on 13 Saturdays, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Exhibition can also be viewed weekdays by appointment (905-356-1514).
Participants:
Maximum 26 participants (13 poets and 13 painters), selected on a first-come, first-served basis. Each participating poet will write two poems, and each participating painter will do two paintings (one ready on November 25 and the second submitted to me by January 1, 2026).
Event Book:
A full-colour book will be published by SCAA, and I will serve as its editor. Each participating poet and painter will receive one copy as part of their $30 registration fee.
Key Dates:
By September 1, 2025 Confirm your interest by email (chandij999@gmail.com) to me, including the title of your first poem or first painting.
November 25, 2025 Attend the SCAA Members' Meeting from 7 to 9 p.m. at 415 Linwell Road, St. Catharines.
Confirmed participants will register, pay the $30 fee, and briefly present their work.
Poets and painters will then be paired to create a new responsive work.
Each poet should give a copy of their poem to the collaborating painter and take a photo of the painting they will respond to with a new poem.
By January 1, 2026 Submit your final poem (in Word format, maximum 500-words or one page in font size 12) or a photograph of completed painting (in JPEG format) to me by email.
March 23, 2026 Painters must drop off their artwork at NFAG between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
April 2, 2026 Opening Reception at NFAG hosted by Dr. Debra Attenborough, Executive Director of NFAG, from 6 to 8 p.m. The copies of the event book will be distributed to the 26 participants.
April 12, 2026 Revealing Event at NFAG from 12 to 2:30 p.m.
July 2, 2026 Artwork pick-up from NFAG between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact me on or before August 6, 2025. I will be travelling overseas from August 7 to 31 and may have limited access to email during that period. During that period SCAA's Vice President Nancy Haskell will act for the President of SCAA.
Warm regards,
Chandi Jayawardena
President - St. Catharines Art Association