WHAT MAKES AMHERSTBURG GREAT: ART ALLEY
“One mural can change how a whole neighbourhood sees itself”
—Bristol Street Art Scene
“Few people go to art exhibitions. The power of street art is that it goes to people’s daily life to be seen”
—Banksy
“Legacy isn’t built in museums—it's sprayed in the back alleys”
—Unknown
Amherstburg's Art Alley (entrances off Dalhousie and Ramsay) really started with the David Creed’s mural on the side of River Bookshop in 2020.
AMHERSTBURG ART ALLEY: CONTINUED
In 2023, the Alley really took off with the launch of the annual Art Crawl and new murals by Indigenous artist Naomi Peters, 11 historic photos from the Marsh Collection, and the Beatles collage by local artists Dylan and Dennis White.
Today Amherstburg is getting known for its arts scene with over 60 installations across the town and more every few months. Go to the ArtAmherstburg.ca website to take a self-guided virtual tour of Amherstburg’s growing arts scene.
While not everyone loves graffiti art, it does have its benefits. Research would tell you that its rich benefits are cultural, financial, and social. Today, Amherstburg’s Art Alley is another example of what makes Amherstburg great and another reason to visit our beautiful heritage town.
In 2027, look for a very special mural to get unveiled on Emancipation Day. And if you want to be inspired by what is going on in the world, check out Bloomberg Asphalt Art.
What Makes Amherstburg Great next week: our important and historic Carnegie Library.
NEXT SILENT BOOK CLUB: OCTOBER 10TH, 1-3PM
SAVE THE DATE: On Saturday, October 10th, from 1 to 3PM, join us for some quiet reading.
This month's Silent Book Club is a little different! This one will be a special Banned Books read-in, featuring a free audiobook about banned books for attendees, discounts on banned books, and a discussion of book banning!
You can reserve your spot by clicking here.
FIRE SAFETY SUNDAY STORY TIME
Join us this week at Sunday Story Time when we highlight Fire Prevention Week.
Cameron Arksey from the Amherstburg Fire Department returns to Story Time at 11AM!
LOCAL AUTHOR EVENT: VANESSA SHIELDS
We’re very excited to be hosting local author Vanessa Shields for a Book Signing on Saturday, October 17th. Vanessa will be in the bookshop from 4:00-5:30 signing her new book, WE THE MOURNERS, as part of her book tour. Books will be for sale.
About the Book:
WE THE MOURNERS is a long form poem negotiating the spiritual and corporeal paradoxes of life and death. It offers an alternative to our deepest, darkest pain by honouring the power of letting it go, and mourning our suffering together. Vanessa Shields’s poetry is always raw, honest, and personal. This is a great chance to meet her, pick up a powerful new read, get your book signed. Mark your calendars!
TRUTH & RECONCILIATION EVENT
On Saturday, we had a panel of guests to discuss Truth & Reconciliation: the Chief of Caldwell First Nation, Nikki van Oirschot; First Nations author of Sons of Tecumseh, Maurice Switzer; Indigenous artist Naomi Peters; and River Bookshop owner, Richard Peddie.
Oirschot, Switzer, and Peters comprised the panel who discussed Truth & Reconciliation, and the talk was hosted by Peddie. Together, they championed and discussed the idea of creating a monument and tribute to First Nations in the new waterfront plaza.
And today, on the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation (September 30th), we reflect and use what we learned from this event to determine actions that each of us can take to spread truth and support reconciliation. We invite you to do the same!
THRESHING DAY MIDNIGHT RELEASE RECAP
Guests arrived late Monday night to collect their copies of Rebecca Yarros's new book, Threshing Day. The Midnight Release party included paper folding (dragons), bracelet making, and Fourth Wing trivia. Plus, wine, beer, and soft drinks were available for purchase from the Hole in the Wall. At the stroke of midnight, we opened the box of books for the BIG REVEAL!
Hope to see you at our upcoming Sarah J. Maas Midnight Release Party on October 26th, from 10-12 in the evening. We know it's going to be a big one. For more details, click here.
So much to see and do in Amherstburg!
We hope to see you downtown this weekend.
The River Bookshop Team