Field Notes

The 2023 edition of Field Notes is offering the work of artists who participated in Alchemy Artist Residency in 2023. It is a self-guided temporary public art exhibition in various locations throughout Prince Edward County including Hillier, Wellington, and Carrying Place. 

Over the last 200 years, Prince Edward County has been defined through shifting roles in the history of settlers from military outpost to Canada’s canning capital, to one of the fastest growing viticultural regions in North America and a source of inspiration for artistic and culinary pursuits. These diverse activities contribute to the County’s history and are documented through separate and distinct lenses– historic, agricultural, and artistic. While the lens of documentation varies – there is a common thread of field notes. 

Alchemy artists return to the County each harvest season to explore, learn, and create. During their residency, artists have the opportunity to collect, document, and share deeply layered stories showcasing what compels people to continue to create, grow, farm, and live in the County. The resulting works represent an ever-deepening relationship and understanding between and among artists, residents, farmers, wine growers and agricultural workers both seasonal and local. Through textiles, installation, painting, drawing and sculpture, these works – collectively and individually – examine themes of collaboration, labour, creative expression, food sovereignty, and community in a rural agricultural setting. 

Mindful of the harvest’s central role in the county, Alchemy artists also plan and prepare Table Settings, a weekly meal featuring local produce and proteins for 40 seasonal agricultural workers who live and work on collaborating with local wineries. These meals are offered to acknowledge the significant contribution of farm and vineyard labourers, many of whom come from outside of Canada and all of whom work alongside local farmers and growers. Through this initiative, Alchemy’s volunteer kitchen brigade of artists and cooks has prepared and served  3000 meals since 2020.

Through Field Notes, Alchemy artists find and share a deeper appreciation for the beauty and physically demanding work that comes with living and working at the western edge of Prince Edward County. Their offerings through this group exhibition offer a collective narrative to share how simple, yet profound acts of growing, making, and sharing, whether food, wine, or art, can further foster community. 

Field Notes takes place at participating locations until October 14th. Please visit makealchemy.com/field-notes-2023-1 for a list of participating artists and locations, and check with individual locations for opening hours. Field Notes is part of Ontario Culture Days 2023 and is supported by the Prince Edward County Community Foundation.