March 13 – May 10, 2020

Art Gazing in the Great Outdoors (TAKE A VIRTUAL TOUR!)

A virtual outdoor experience that inspires us to find creativity in nature and get outside for our mental health.  You are invited to take our virtual tour – each option is different, since you can choose-your-own experience! CLICK TO VIEW PART 1 VIRTUAL TOUR OF ‘ART GAZING IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS’ CLICK TO VIEW PART 2 VIRTUAL TOUR OF ‘ART GAZING IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS’ CLICK TO VIEW PART 3 VIRTUAL TOUR OF ‘ART GAZING IN THE GREAT OUTDOORS’ During this unprecedented time that we find ourselves in, we thought we would invite you on a virtual visit of our gallery – where we have transformed the space into a night time campsite in the great outdoors.  We hope to show you the unexpected, and inspire you with this unique experience that marries technology and art. The teaching of Science,Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) have recently folded “Art” into the terminology as a recognition of the importance of creative thinking and problem solving in all disciplines (now called STEAM). This exhibition invites you to explore how technology and science can be utilized for creative expression and work together in amazing harmony. On this “virtual visit” you will be exposed to the interactive virtual technology in our FreeDome, where art and nature are viewed and manipulated through high tech. In our virtual campsite in the great wilderness, with the night sky and milky way as a backdrop, we offer a hands-on experience where you can “choose your own adventure” and be reminded that nature can be our best source of creative inspiration, and do wonders for our mental health. The technology in this exhibition is the result of the vision and passion of local technology expert and ECFTA friend, Gord Harris. His desire to create a STEAM-inspired exhibition was the catalyst for this entire idea. His dream of using technology to inspire creativity and inspire artists of all kinds is coming to fruition in Art Gazing in the Great Outdoors.                     Health Benefits to spending time outdoors, camping and exploring: The Very Real Benefits of Going Camping, Hufington Post The Amazing Health Benefits of Camping, Beyond the Tent Spending Time in Nature Boosts Health, CNN 11 Scientific Reasons You Should Be Spending More Time Outside, Business Insider 9 Science-Backed Benefits of Camping, by James Black Creativity, Art and Mental Health Well-Being: Health Benefits of Being Creative, Medical News Today The Healing Power of Art – How Creative Activities Can Relieve Stress, Harvard Medical School How Nature Can Make You Kinder, Happier and More Creative, UC Berkeley, Greater Good Science Centre