The Power Plant (@Harbourfront centre)

We finally got around to checking out The Power Plant in the HarbourFront Centre.  The HarbourFront Centre's Power Plant was originally built in 1926 known as the 'Powerhouse"  The Powerhouse interestingly enough contained heating and refrigeration equipment for the Toronto Terminal Warehouse (which is now known as the Queen's Quay Terminal) and the 'Ice House" which is known today as the Habourfront Centre Theatre.

 In 1976, the site was renovated into an Art Gallery at the Bill Boyle ArtPort. and further construction years later formed "The PowerPlant" which opened it's doors officially in 1987.  

It's a Canadian charitable organization and completely free to enter at set hours.  It contains Contemporary Art, which I don't mind tell you I am not a fan.  There's a historical component to the artwork and for some, you may find displays to be interesting and for others not so much.

The site hosts major solo shows and group exhibitions as well as free public programs, educational events and workshops.  It has produced several artists books and have released more than 140 publications to date!

You can easily spot the Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery from Queens Quay by the prominent smoke stack which stands out from the Harbour off of Queens Quay in Toronto.  As I mentioned earlier it is a Canadian Contemporary public art gallery mandated exclusively to a diverse and advanced artistic culture.  It is supported by and to a diverse group of living artists while engaging equally diverse audiences in their work. 

Keep your eyes and ears out for exhibitions, lectures and symposia that encourage debate and further understanding; invitations to visitors to question, explore and reflect upon their experiences.  

Since 25th anniversary in 2012, the gallery introduced ALL YEAR, ALL FREE, offering free admission and open access to the public to all exhibitions. 

In 2022, The Power Plant Contemporary Art Gallery is celebrating its 35th anniversary by introducing new ways to engage with diverse audiences through a brand new website, new communications channels, and the return of Power Ball in 2023.

Today, general admission to the PowerPlant is still FREE.

Don't wait as long as I have if you live in Toronto or visiting.  The Harbourfront Centre's PowerPlant is a unique experience.  You may find yourself coming with a little more understanding and a lot more cultured in Contemporary Art!

Wesley Brooks Conservation Area and Fairy Lake in Newmarket

I don't think you will find a photographer novice or pro who doesn't love taking pictures in the Fall.  It's almost impossible to take a bad shot once the leaves start changing colours creating beautiful backdrops and pathways.  

After we had our lunch, we revisited the Mabel Davis Conservation (seen on this blog) heading north to George Richardson Park and looped back south to the over 15 hectares of the Wesley Brooks Conservation area along Fairy Lake.   

The paths are crushed gravel and shared with cyclists so it gets quite busy on weekends.  Red squirrels are common as you move further and further away from Toronto.  (The central core usually has an over abundances of black and grey squirrels which may look different, but they actually come from the same species.  Unlike the eastern grey squirrels, red squirrels are smaller.

The red squirrels are easily distinguished because of the changes in their coat color that depends on the season. When it is warm, their fur turns reddish with patches of white on the belly. 

 

When the temperature drops, the white patch on their belly becomes grey.  Their tale only measures about 10 cm making them super cute (like the chipmunk!).  I've had a love for squirrels all my life and will always try to remember to bring some nuts with me (of course in the past year or so, bi-laws have become more pervasive asking people not to feed them due to over population in the cities.

 

I included a picture of large lichen in this post, as they are incredibly similar to the flowering cabbage plant.  If you do research on lichens you will most likely find out what they are not.   

They are not moss, or plants though there is a similarity in that they use photosynthesis to survive.  They are able to withstand the toughest environments and have been seen living in and around old rock formations.   The pink by the way on the lichen is NOT a natural colour, but spray paint that was found along the pathways on rocks alerting cyclists.  It kind of bothered me that they (Parks staff) would ever think it's okay to spray paint something that is considered life.  It wasn't directly in the path either!  

 

 Happy Trails!