Music at MERA’s 2018 Spring Concert Series begins with a concert Sunday, March 11, featuring one of Canada’s most talented musical families.

Clan Hannigan is an intergenerational family band based out of Baltimore Ontario that takes traditional Irish music and blends it with elements of Jazz, Pop, and other folk traditions, to create a unique high energy sonic soundscape.

Clan Hannigan perform at MERA Schoolhouse in McDonald’s Corners on Sunday, March 11, 2018, at 2:00 pm.

This is the first of three concerts in the series, which will also include, Brian MacMillan (Sunday, March 25) and Annie Sumi (Sunday, April 8).

Series tickets for all three concerts are $60 ($55 for MERA members). Single tickets for the individual concerts are $22. Tickets are available at Tickets Please in Perth, 613-485-6434 or www.ticketsplease.ca.

Call and Respond with Kate Wilson – Join Kate Wilson as she discusses the process of developing site-specific studies – transformed into wall drawings specifically for the JNAAG. Get an insiders perspective on how Kate’s work responds to architecture and light and is inspired by botanical and molecular structures. Free, give what you can. Spaces are limited. Register by calling 519-336-8127 ext. 3226.

Session 3: Bold Leaf Printmaking – A new program inviting youth with special needs, and special interest in fine arts, to explore art mediums through self-expression. The program creates an opportunity for participants to develop new artistic skills and take part in a positive recreational experience within an art gallery setting. This session is all about being bold! Participants will be using brayers, printing ink, and leafs to create hand printed mono prints. Early arrival welcome at 4:30PM. Materials included. Spaces are limited. Ages 9-16. Registration required by calling 519-336-8127 ext. 3226.

Family Sunday Activity: Long Arm Drawing – Engage, discover, and create every Sunday afternoon from 1:00–3:00PM. Paint like Matisse today! Stand far back from your project as your arm becomes longer! Free. $5 Suggested Material Donation per family. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Marking Time: An Act of Endurance with Kelly Wallace & Glenn Stillar – Join Kelly and Glenn as they discuss their collaboration and offer insights into how their individual artistic practices brought them together. Marking Time by Stillar and Freehold by Wallace are featured in the current exhibition Beside Myself. Free, give what you can. Spaces are limited. Register by calling 519-336-8127 ext. 3226.

Session 2: Wonky Watercolour – A new program inviting youth with special needs, and special interest in fine arts, to explore art mediums through self-expression. The program creates an opportunity for participants to develop new artistic skills and take part in a positive recreational experience within an art gallery setting. This session is all about gettin’ wonky! Explore the medium of watercolour and the added techniques of masking, wax resist, and salt. Early arrival welcome at 4:30PM. Materials included. Spaces are limited. Ages 9-16. Registration required by calling 519-336-8127 ext. 3226.

Family Sunday Activity: Tinfoil & Tissue – Engage, discover, and create every Sunday afternoon from 1:00–3:00PM. Inspired by the drawings of Kelly Wallace, we will make textural collages that explore materials and layering! Free. $5 Suggested Material Donation per family. Children must be accompanied by an adult.

Slow View: Un-censored – Ease into the New Year and take a moment to breathe. With a new take on the tour, a Slow View will allow your mind to settle on one work and rediscover the joy of looking at art. The tour of our new exhibition, Un-censored, will be led by a trained facilitator. Registration required. Free, give what you can. Call 519-336-8127 ext. 3226 to register.

Family Sunday Activity: Blob Drawing – Engage, discover, and create every Sunday afternoon from 1:00–3:00PM. Play a game where we will turn abstract shapes into familiar objects and characters from your own imagination! Free. $5 Suggested Material Donation per family. Children must be accompanied by an adult.