durhamregion.com | This Week | Thursday, June 23, 2022 | | 10 After a year on the road, Oshawa's mobile LivingRoom Community Art Studio is gearing up for a busy summer. "We see this summer as a bit of adventure where we'll be building relationships with people and communities that we've either fallen out of touch with or not had the opportunity to work with due to the pandemic. We'll be learning about them, what and how they create, and how we can use the mobile art studio and our virtual art hive programming to support their creative-humaning endeavours," Studio founder Mary Krohnert said via email. The LivingRoom Community Art Studio gives people opportunities to make and share art for free. It was founded in 2013 and the original Oshawa drop-in store front studio space opened in 2015. Anyone could walk in and use the materials and tools to make whatever they wanted to create. In the spring 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Krohnert made the decision to close the storefront space and go mobile. A 2009 Chevy Short bus was purchased with Ontario Trillium Foundation funding. It was creatively converted with help from PK Welding and Quality Collision East. Dani Crosby designed the art decals and Get Wrapped was applied. It was insured by WB White. The Mobile Art Hive hit the streets in June 2021. After a year on the road, we asked Krohnert to reflect on how far the Mobile Art Hive has come and where it's going next. Here's what she shared: 1. The mobile art studio has been very popular with the public and there are a number of summer events planned. New campaigns and projects will be launching soon. 2. They offer pay-what-you-can-afford, fee-for-service visits and program- ming for community groups. organizations, schools and agencies -- but a community doesn't need to have funding to get programming. The paid-for services help provide opportunities for those that can't pay, and helps maintain the mobile art hive and support the work of the artists. "If you have a place for us to park the bus, and set up tables around it so that we can work with community we want to hear from you," said Krohnert. 3. Virtual programming remains an important part of the program. It provides connection and support to community members who are unable to travel to events, or who prefer to create from the comfort of their own homes. 4. Fundraising was difficult over the pandemic, when in-person events were often not possible. The organization will be selling fun merchandise designed by local artists. Art-lovers can also support the program on Canada Helps, through Facebook's PayPal Giving Fund and the new page on Ko-Fi at ko-fi.com/livingroomcommunityartstudio. 5. Someday, they might again have a drop-in space with a reimagined and redeveloped Arts Resource Centre. In the meantime, Krohnert wants to have the mobile art studio working in communities for longer periods of time rather than popping up for one-off events and then leaving. "We want to activate spaces and places that perhaps are underutilized or underserved. We see the mobile art studio engaging with people in parks, at libraries and in and for communities that don't have easy access to arts programming," said Krohnert. Visit www.livingroomcommunityartstudio.org, catch livestreams at The LivingRoom Community Art Studio Facebook page or email info@livingroomcommunityartstudio.org for more information. LOOKING DOWN THE ROAD WITH OSHAWA'S MOBILE ART HIVE JENNIFER O'MEARA jomeara@ durhamregion.com COMMUNITY Mary Krohnert runs the LivingRoom Community Art Studio Mobile Art Hive. The studio, where anyone could come to make art for free, had to close its indoor location over the pandemic, but recently started up the mobile art hive bus that will be seen at various community locations, including at the Back Door Mission. Jason Liebregts/Metroland Looking for something to do in Durham the weekend of June 25 and 26? Here are some great ideas: 13TH ANNUAL METIS HERITAGE CELEBRATION June 25 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Children's Arena, 155 Arena St., Oshawa This free family event celebrates Metis culture with Indigenous vendors and food, storytelling, cultural workshops, children's activities, arts and crafts and musical performances by fiddlers, singers, drummers and jiggers. Bring your fiddles, spoons and jigging feet! There will be a grand entry and opening ceremony at noon. DRAG QUEEN STORYTIME There are two Drag Queen Storytime events taking place June 25 as part of Pride month celebrations in Durham. You can check out story time from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Scugog Public Library, 231 Water St., Port Perry -- or head to the Whitby Public Library, 405 Dundas St. W., from 2 to 4 p.m. The family friendly program is organized by Youth Pride Durham and Toronto Drag Queen Storytime and features stories and songs that celebrate diversity and inclusion. MOONLIGHT MADNESS This popular kick-off to summer is back. Shop downtown Port Perry from 6 to 10 p.m. on Friday, June 24. The event, hosted by the Port Perry BIA, includes live jazz music, games and a chance to win prizes as you shop or check out downtown restaurants. TOWN OF AJAX TRAILFEST June 26 Audley Recreation Centre, 1955 Audley Rd. N., Ajax Explore scenic trails in Ajax on foot or cycling. Trailfest 2022 has three events taking place June 26 -- the 40 to 50 km Ride with the Mayor starts at 9:45 a.m.; the 15 to 20 km Tour d'Ajax starts at 10 a.m.; and the 5 km Family Walk/Run starts at 10:30 a.m. If you can't make it on the 26, there is also Trailfest on the Go from June 27 to July 3. All adults and children participating must register online. WEEKEND FARMER'S MARKETS There are five weekend farmer's markets in Durham where you can find fresh produce, meat, honey, baked goods and handmade products. On Saturdays you can check out the Port Perry Lakerfront Farmer's Market from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the base of Queen Street by the waterfront; the North Oshawa Farmer's Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Delpark Homes Centre, 1661 Harmony Rd. N. in Oshawa; or the Brooklin Farmer's Market from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 3 Vipond Rd. in Brooklin. On Sundays, the Uxbridge Farmer's Market runs from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Herrema Fields, and the Clarington Farmer's Market is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Newcastle Memorial Arena. WHAT TO DO IN DURHAM THE WEEKEND OF JUNE 25 AND 26? THINGS TO DO The 13th annual Metis Heritage Celebration is coming up June 25 and will include live music, children's activities, storytelling and cultural workshops. Ryan Pfeiffer photo