Page 5 - May 2023 News On 7

MUSINGS ON THE “MUSERS”: FIRST TUESDAY MUSE AND THE MONTH OF POETRY
By: TJ Best
For a moment, there was complete silence. The entire audience was listening, waiting for her next sentence. In the filled Tweed Library
resource room, all eyes were on Charmaine Gagnon as she gracefully read us her poem.
And for me, the attentiveness of the audience is what makes the monthly open mic events called First Tuesday Muse so special. We love
our listeners! As the incumbent emcee and coordinator, it is this supportive atmosphere that I hope to have continued from First
Tuesday’s first host, Peter Snell. You don’t have to be a poet to share a favourite piece by another author, and if you write prose instead
of poetry, that’s welcome too.
This is First Tuesday Muse’s (FTM) 7th year, with an anniversary this month [May]. The legend of its co-creation with Billy Piton is
quickly becoming part of local lore. It took me too many years to finally make the trek to the previous venue in Tweed from where I was
living in Corbyville at the time, but now that I’m a local, I’m happy to add another chapter to the story.
As soon as I attended my first FTM open mic, I knew it was a space that a reader could feel comfortable in. Whether or not it was their
first time at a microphone, Peter always made readers feel welcomed. I noted that he took notes in order to make an individualized
comment after every reading, which is a tradition I have continued. Sometimes whimsical, often philosophical; it is two hours well-spent.
Our recent gatherings on Saturdays in April, however, are hopefully going to be a new tradition. It was Charmaine’s idea, in fact, to
gather at the Tweed Library for a special open mic. I thought that April would be an ideal time to choose, since April is National Poetry
Month (NaPoMo, poets.ca/npm). Then another “Muser”, or FTM regular, Sheila Stanley offered a space at the Ameliasburg Library and
the Series was born.
Our regular monthly events are currently located at the fabulous 7/62 Craft Brewery, but for the Series we collaborated with four
different libraries in the Quinte region. We are grateful to our host libraries in Tweed, Ameliasburg, Stirling, and Madoc, as well as their
respective staff and Friends groups. Many of our participants are from rural areas and small towns, where there are limited Arts
opportunities. By having a space provided for First Tuesday Muse, we are able to give local writers a place to share their work and to find
a very supportive audience.
If this is an experience that interests you, or you have any questions about getting involved, please contact us through our Facebook
page or firsttuesmuse@gmail.com.

DIANE WOODWARD'S VIBRANT PAINTINGS BRINGS THE
TOWN OF MADOC TO LIFE IN HER CAPTIVATING SOLO
EXHIBITION, 'LOCAL COLOUR'."
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – Madoc, Ontario, Canada- April 23, 2023 – Art on 62 Fine Art Gallery in Madoc, Ontario, is proud to present
"Local Colour," a solo exhibition that showcases the exceptional talent of Diane Woodward, a gifted local artist. The exhibition will be
held from May 6, 2023, to May 28, 2023, with the opening reception taking place on May 6 from 2-6 pm. The exhibit will be open to the
public from Wednesday to Sunday, from noon to 5 pm. Diane will be present throughout the exhibition to provide a personal touch to
the experience.
"As we eagerly anticipate the official opening of our gallery on June 22, we are thrilled to showcase the exceptional work of Diane
Woodward as a prelude to this exciting event," remarked Cid Palacio, the gallery's owner. Diane is a versatile and accomplished local
artist whose vibrant and distinctive style promises to captivate our audience. We invite all art enthusiasts to come and enjoy her
inspiring creations."
Diane Woodward calls herself an “Excessful” artist. She expresses her creativity through a range of mediums, including painting,
sculpture, icons, assembles, mittens, knitting, mask making glass-blowing, and furniture-making. Her love of colour and fearless use of
red and pattern is evident in her bright, often mysterious, and humorous paintings of animals and people.
Woodward has had over 50 solo exhibitions in Ontario and Québec, including 2 major shows at The Canadian Museum of Nature in
Ottawa. Local Colour will feature many of Diane's new paintings, including a tribute piece dedicated to the late Dr. Godfrey, a beloved
Local Hero who practiced medicine until COVID-19 forced him to retire at the age of 102.
Diane's charitable contributions have spanned continents. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she made over 5,000 masks and generously
gave them away. This summer, she plans to paint a mural outside the Madoc Food Bank and inside The Heart of Hastings Hospice. For
the past 15 years, Diane has included Ukrainian Easter Eggs in her paintings. When the war in Ukraine started, she painted them to help
raise funds for John the Brewer of Churchkey in Campbellford to support his missions in Ukraine. To learn more about Diane Woodward,
please visit her Instagram page at @dianewoodwardart, email her at dianewoodwardart@yahoo.ca, or call 613-473-4281.

About ART on 62 Fine Art Gallery
Art on 62 Fine Art Gallery is a contemporary art gallery opening officially on June 22, 2023. The gallery will feature a diverse collection of
fine art pieces by emerging and established local and regional Canadian artists. The gallery is located in the heart of the charming village
of Madoc, providing visitors with the perfect opportunity to immerse themselves in the local culture and discover the vibrant community
that surrounds them.

Contact: Cid Palacio
Telephone: 416-763-8752
E-mail: contact@arton62.com
Web site: www.arton62.com
To learn more about Diane Woodward, please visit her Instagram page at @dianewoodwardart, email her at
dianewoodwardart@yahoo.ca, or call 613-473-4281.