Society of Stitchers
An embroidery club gathering for community, craft and the love of stitching. Led by Nella Casson.
Join The Society of Stitchers! SOS is our annual winter embroidery club led by artist Nella Casson, where we open up our magical studio for the community to gather and get creative. No experience required and all are welcome; kids, too!
Our theme this year is THE FUTURE, and we’ll be working together to create a collaborative quilt exploring our hopes, ideas and tools to shape a softer future. We’ll also be hosting some guest speakers to spark our creativity!
DATES: January 26 to March 4, Mondays & Wednesdays from 5-7 PM
Your registration fee includes 12 sessions, all supplies & instruction, snacks & tea, and all the good vibes you can handle! Come to as many or as few sessions as you’d like.
PRICE: $45 + HST = $50.85 (that’s just $4.23 per session!) If this price is a hardship for you, please pay what you can. If you would like to “pay it forward” for another participant to take part at a reduced cost, please indicate at time of payment.
TO REGISTER: etransfer krista@deptofillumination.org
LOCATION: The Department of Illumination Studio: lower level of the Armoury, 206 Main St. Picton. Enter via rear doors on Mary St. near Luso Bites.
A special thank you to our Society of Stitchers Sponsors!
Springfest
Food, Games, Fun!
We had to cancel this year’s Winterfest due to icy conditions in the park, so we now present you with SPRINGFEST! This FREE afternoon of outdoor fun will take place at Macaulay Village Park on the Heights, and all are welcome at this all-ages community celebration. The afternoon will include free lunch with chili on the menu, plus hot chocolate and roasted marshmallows for sweet treats. County Kids Read will be distributing free books for children, there will be a performance from the ABC Choir, and an assortment of fun and games by The Department of Illumination and Baxter Arts Centre.
Macaulay Village Park, 26 London Avenue, Picton, Ontario
THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS: Base31, Dunrose Distribution, Picton Recreation Committee, Wellington Home Hardware and the Prince Edward County Lions Club.
ABC Choir
A fun and casual choir for those who love singing. Choir director Sam Hirst.
You're invited to join the Aurora Borealis Community Choir!
Directed by Sam Hirst, we are a fun and casual choir that meets regularly for the love of singing together. Rehearsals take place at The Department of Illumination studio in Picton, and we perform throughout the year at community events. All are welcome, regardless of age or experience; you don't need to know how to read music and can join at any time.
Choir membership is $35 including HST for the year (September through spring).
If this price is a hardship for you, please pay what you can. If you would like to “pay it forward” for another participant to take part at a reduced cost, please indicate at time of payment.
To register, etransfer $35 to krista@deptofillumination.org
For more information contact abcchoir@deptofillumination.org
Delhi Then & Now
Learn about Picton’s oldest neighbourhood & how a new vision for Delhi Park will shape its future
You are invited “over Delhi” (as the saying goes) on Saturday, February 21 at 2 pm, to learn about the origins and development of Picton’s oldest neighbourhood, and how a new vision for Delhi Park will shape the future of Picton. First, we’ll gather in the old church at Macaulay Heritage Park for presentations and refreshments. Then join with The Department of Illumination and The Aurora Borealis Community Choir in a procession to Delhi Park, to light up the park with sound and colour!
$15 + fees in advance through Ticketscene or $20 cash at the door or PWYC.
This event is part of Flashback February presented by PEC Heritage Conservancy and Friends of Delhi Park and made possible thanks to funding from The Picton BIA.
Mask Making
Learn how to make your very own mask with our Artistic Director Krista Dalby
This workshop has sold out, we hope to offer it again in the future, stay tuned!
Make your very own large-scale mask over the course of three workshops led by Artistic Director Krista Dalby. You'll be introduced to a variety of materials and techniques, and you'll create a dramatic mask of your own design. Think BIG! Think WEIRD! This workshop is for adults and youth aged 15+, no prior experience required. Workshops take place at the magical DOI studio in Picton.
You’ll walk away with a unique mask ready for parades, festivals, or display in your home. The techniques that you’ll learn are scalable to create everything from small sculptures to giant puppets. Krista has more than 20 years experience working with simple materials to create imaginative creatures large and small.
Saturday March 14 - 10 AM to 4 PM
Saturday March 21 - 10 AM to 4 PM
Saturday March 28 - 10 AM to 4 PM
Price: $150 + HST, includes all materials and instruction.
DAY 1: Introduction to various mask-making techniques. You’ll learn how to do a “quick sculpt” using cardboard and other recycled materials and found objects. You’ll be guided through a design process and launch into making!
DAY 2: Finish sculpting and papier mâché
DAY 3: Painting and finishing, then… PHOTO SHOOT!
Annual Tree Lighting
Bring your festive cheer!
An tradition we look forward to every year! Decorating the tree and celebrating its lighting at the Picton cenotaph. We sing carols with the ABC Choir, enjoy be free cookies and hot chocolate, and facilitate the sharing of free books from County Kids Read!
Wear a Santa hat and bring your festive cheer!
Tree lighting at 5 PM sharp!
Thank you to the Picton BIA and Dan Claxton Electric for supporting us in this annual tradition!
10x10 Show
The biggest show of small art!
It's the biggest show of small art in the County! The fourth annual 10 x 10 art show and fundraiser took place at the County Arts Lab in the Armoury, from Thursday November 13 and ran until November 22. All works were for sale for $110 plus HST. Sales are divided between the DOI ($60), County Arts ($20) and artists may receive $30 or donate their portion to the DOI.
L.e.a.f. Initiative
Your kind words could make the difference to our application!
If you encountered us this summer, you probably saw our beautiful new trailer which we've converted into a solar-powered mobile studio. We have great dreams for where this trailer will take us, and all the magic that it will help create, but we are in need of a dedicated vehicle to tow it. As we'd like to make a sustainable choice, we would love to get an electric truck. To that end, we have applied for funding to the Commonwell LEAF Initiative. That's where you come in. Do you have a couple of minutes to share a comment, photo or story about why we'd be deserving recipients of this funding? With your input we can make our application stand out, bringing us one step closer to that precious funding! Please visit their website to support our project!
Lit Up: Oeno after Dark
An illuminated wonderland with over 40 sculptures lit against the night sky!
This Thanksgiving weekend, join us for LIT UP: Oeno After Dark On October 11th, Oeno Gallery’s Sculpture Garden transforms into a 3-acre illuminated wonderland with over 40 sculptures lit against the night sky Wander winding paths as firecones blaze, sculptures shine, and performances fill the air with sound and magic Powered by The Department of Illumination, we’re deLIGHTed to present our ABC Choir, and you can also take in performances from North Fire Circus, interactive percussion by Jesse Stewart, and pioneering electric violinist Dr. Draw. Tickets on sale now!
Play Dolls With Us
Help us stitch doll clothes for an installation at The Firelight Lantern Festival
Like playing with dolls? Join The Department of Illumination at the Picton Town Hall Farmers Market on Sunday October 19 from 9 AM to 2 PM and help us stitch doll clothes for an installation at The Firelight Lantern Festival. Doll hair stylists also welcome! This is part of Common Grounds PEC, a pop-up residency program that invites artists, performers, writers, and cultural workers to engage with our community at the Picton Farmers Market.
Houndoween
Dogs and their humans are invited to dress in costume and join us for an adorable mini-parade!
You all loved our weird & wonderful Houndoween event last year, so we're bringing it back! Dogs and their humans are invited to dress in costume and join us on Saturday October 25. Gather at the Giant Tiger parking lot in Picton at 3:45; at 4 PM we will have an adorable mini-parade on Main Street to Benson Park, where the Picton Recreation Committee is having a costume celebration and a pre-carved pumpkin contest. And yes, there will be prizes for canines and their humans.
Photo: Logan Somers
Join Our Board
Call for volunteers to join our Board of Directors, by Sept. 20th 2025
The Department of Illumination has been bringing our creative magic to Prince Edward County since 2013, and our volunteer board of directors are looking for new members to help us shape a creative future. If you have a passion for the arts and a desire to put your strengths toward growing an important part of PEC’s arts and culture, we want to hear from you. We believe that a cooperative, diverse board is essential for our success, and want to reflect the vibrancy of the community we serve.
As a board member, you will play a crucial role in the DOI’s governance and strategic direction. Board Members are expected to attend 6 meetings a year, as well as sit on a committee and assist with events and special projects. Ideally, we are looking for individuals with experience in three key areas:
Development and Fundraising: Help us cultivate relationships with donors, foundations, and corporate sponsors. Experience in event planning, and donor stewardship is highly desirable.
Finance: Help us to oversee our budget, financial reporting, bookkeeping, and fiscal health. The ideal candidate has experience in accounting or finance, and is confident to work with our accountant. This board member would assist the current treasurer.
Board Governance: Help us strengthen our organizational effectiveness by guiding board policies, compliance, and best practices. The ideal candidate has experience with nonprofit governance, strategic planning, or board leadership.
If you want to support the creative culture in our community and think you’d be a good fit, please get in touch to find out more. Email board@deptofillumination.org by September 20th, and tell us a bit about yourself. All candidates will receive a response. Thank you!
Firelight Lantern Festival
A cherished Prince Edward County tradition since 2013. Two magical evenings of arts and music.
The Department of Illumination lights up the night with The Firelight Lantern Festival, a cherished Prince Edward County tradition since 2013. Two magical evenings of arts and music will unfold at the Crystal Palace in Picton, Ontario. November 6 & 7, 2026 Save the date!
The Firelight Lantern Festival draws inspiration from traditions of many lantern festivals throughout the world which use light as a symbol to bring people together. The timing of our festival in mid-November coincides with the European tradition of Martinmas which originated in France in honour of St. Martin, a friend of children and patron of the poor. Martinmas is celebrated throughout Europe, its signature being children’s lantern processions. As fall ends and the darkness of winter descends upon us it is easy to feel isolated, especially living in a rural community. Our festival acts as a beacon to encourage our residents, both adults and children, to conjure their own light, bringing it into their hearts and homes to sustain them through the darkness. Making a lantern is a literal application of this metaphor, but in gathering people together to make lanterns in town halls, schools and living rooms, our camaraderie grows and we feel the warm glow of making beautiful things with our hands alongside friends and neighbours.
2025 EDITION SUPPORTED BY
Boxtopia at The Picton Fair
Join us for another edition of Boxtopia (our creative cardboard kingdom for kids) at the Picton Fair! We'll be there Saturday September 6 from 10-5, and Sunday September 7 from 10-3. Stop in for a while and get creative with us as we build our own cardboard fair within the Picton Fair! Free! Thank you to Base31 and Chestnut Park for sponsoring Boxtopia.
WHEN: Saturday September 6 from 10-5, and Sunday September 7 from 10-3
WHERE:The Picton Fairgrounds
Zucchini 500
Make a zucchini race car and challenge your friends to a race!
Our inaugural Zucchini 500 races took place in September 2025 Taste! Community Grown. Participants made zucchini race cars and challenged their friends to a race down the track!
We'd love to bring the Zucchini 500 to your special event - get in touch for more information.
Quilting the Progression of Queer Rights in Canada
Join exceptional artist and activist Bill Stearman for a talk about this incredible project!
We're so honoured to have exceptional artist and activist Bill Stearman on our Board of Directors. Bill recently spent ten weeks travelling Canada speaking with quilt groups and Queer groups about 'quiltivism,' teaching workshops and interviewing Queer seniors about their lives during decades of significant change in Queer rights. On September 14 at 7 PM Bill will be giving a talk at The Andrew about this incredible project, with admission by donation to The Department of Illumination. This is bound to be a fascinating presentation, please join us! We'll be accepting donations by cash, cheque, debit or credit.
WHEN: September 14 at 7 PM
WHERE: The Andrew, Picton
Monarch Day & Community Picnic
With the South Shore Joint Initiative.
Saturday July 26th from 11:30 - 6:30. All ages arts and crafts with SSJI’s Wild Thing educator Cheryl Chapman. Make seed bombs, create your own fly-able Monarch, learn butterfly facts, lore and so much more! Community picnic from 4:30 - 6:30 featuring DJ YaYa (AKA Sonja Scharf), and free food provided by Greater Than County Youth Collective. All are Welcome!
WHEN: Saturday July 26, 11:30-6:30 (picnic: 4:30-6:30pm)
WHERE: Delhi Park, Picton - across from the community gardens; if driving, use Lalor St entrance.
Be a Swiftie
Join us for a free presentation from Prince Edward County Field Naturalists about the fascinating chimney swift.
Attention nature lovers! Join us in Picton's Benson Park Sunday July 27 at 7 PM for a presentation from Prince Edward County Field Naturalists about the fascinating chimney swift. Learn why they fly from the moment they wake up until they go to sleep, why they roost in chimneys, and what conservation efforts are being made to save this species-at-risk. Following the short presentation, we'll take a walk to look at some nearby chimneys to see if we can observe some swifts in flight. This is a free all-ages event presented by PECFN and The Department of Illumination.
MDD & TDB Performance with Community Picnic
Experience a special improvised performance by these two independent County musicians!
Attention live music lovers! Join us in Delhi Park Saturday August 2 from 4:30 - 6:30 for a special improvised performance by local independent musicians Matt Doc Dunn and Tomas Del Balso, as well as a community picnic with free food provided by Greater Than County Youth Collective. All are welcome!
WHEN: Saturday August 2, 4:30-6:30pm
WHERE: Delhi Park, Picton - across from the community gardens; if driving, use Lalor St entrance.
Sandwich Spirits and Community Picnic
Get your jam on with these exceptional local musicians!
Attention jam band lovers! Join us in Delhi Park Saturday August 9 from 4:30 - 6:30 for a live performance by Sandwich Spirits, featuring: Alexandra Bell, Nathan Mahaffy, and Ian McKendry, as well as a community picnic with free food provided by Greater Than County Youth Collective. All are welcome!
WHEN: Saturday August 9, 4:30-6:30pm
WHERE: Delhi Park, Picton - across from the community gardens; if driving, use Lalor St entrance.
