Honouring the Bruce Trail through the arts
The Bruce Trail Pilgrimage Art Project launches an exhibition at the Hamilton Public Library
THE BRUCE TRAIL
has always been an integral part of Cornelia Peckart’s life in Hamilton.
But it was an experience along the Bruce Peninsula that inspired her to launch a project celebrating the trail through art, music and poetry.
Peckart, a visual artist, is the mastermind of the Bruce Trail Pilgrimage Art Project, which works to connect artists and hikers through organized walks, art exhibitions and performance events.
Now, Peckart is launching an exhibit of her work, alongside other artists inspired by the Bruce Trail, on both the first- and fourth-floor galleries of the Central Branch of the Hamilton Public Library.
The Bruce Trail Pilgrimage began when Peckart was visiting friends in Lion’s Head near the Barrow Bay Side Trail. The day she happened to be visiting, hikers informed her hosts — who are stewards for that section of the trail — that they had made a small fire they hadn’t been able to fully extinguish.
Along with her friends, Peckart brought buckets of water to the site to douse the still-smouldering fire. She watched as they notified the Bruce Trail Conservancy and the Peninsula Bruce Trail Club, marked the GPS location for the fire department and completed paperwork — actions that took approximately 20 hours of volunteer time.
“I realized how much volunteerism happens to make this trail exist,” Peckart said.
Peckart, inspired by the selflessness of the volunteers, began the Bruce Trail Pilgrimage Art Project to “highlight “the beauty and the amazing stewardship” she has observed along the trail.
“I’ve never been on the trail where it hasn’t been cared for. Who is moving these logs? Why can I get across this rocky patch with ease?” she said.
The exhibition at the library is divided into two galleries: the fourthfloor space showcases works by five artists made possible from a City of Hamilton Enrichment Grant. The first-floor gallery features works by artists from across Ontario, including Lion’s Head, Collingwood, Dundas, Toronto, Kitchener, Waterloo, Brantford and Hamilton, who were inspired by the Bruce Trail. This exhibit will travel to the Barton Library in June and the Wiarton Library in August.
Peckart says libraries — her “second-favourite place on Earth” — were a natural fit to showcase this project, as they are both resources that anyone in the community can enjoy.
“It’s about connecting communities through these pathways,” she said.