Saturday’s sunshine and warm temperatures brought out over 3,000 Guelph residents and out-of-town visitors to the eleven sites offered at Doors Open Guelph and Trails Open 2018.
Among the many highlights of the day were:
- Lineups for tours of the spectacular renovation of The New Petrie Building
- Backstage tours, hands-on theatrical experiences, and artist-in-residence Arthur Kerrey at Guelph Little Theatre
- A glimpse into the innovative social change hub of 10C Shared Space, in the Acker Building
- A view of the amazing transformation of a church-turned-home at Church House in the Ward
- Organ recitals and storytelling at St. Andrew’s Presbyterian and The Churches of St. Matthias and St. James the Apostle
- Introductions to some of Guelph’s community resources at Community Living Guelph Wellington, Guelph Orange Hall, and Hospice Wellington
- An amazing partnership with Guelph Museums with Doors Open After Dark at the Civic Museum, which featured interactive pop-up art and history installations.
Doors Open Guelph is one of Guelph Arts Council’s longest-running programs, and annually launches the season of Doors Open events across Ontario.
Its success is due to the enthusiasm and hard work of volunteers who serve as site captains, tour guides, sweeps, greeters, counters, and researchers. This year over 200 volunteers pulled together to open the doors of Guelph’s remarkable places.
Doors Open Coordinator Susan Ratcliffe said: “This year’s Doors Open Guelph was a wonderful experience for visitors, sites, and volunteers. We thank the site owners and all the volunteers for their commitment to our city’s rich heritage in buildings, arts, landscapes and industries. And we thank Guelph’s residents and visitors for ongoing interest in our city’s resources and stories.”
Doors Open Guelph 2018 was presented in partnership with the City of Guelph, Guelph Museums, and Doors Open Ontario, and generously sponsored by Downtown Guelph Business Association, Grinham Architects, The Mortgage Centre, The Modern Bride, and media sponsor Guelph Mercury Tribune.
- by Patti Broughton/Guelph Arts Council
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