{"id":120820,"date":"2026-01-09T11:41:29","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T16:41:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/?p=120820"},"modified":"2026-01-09T13:00:02","modified_gmt":"2026-01-09T18:00:02","slug":"preview-art-action-climate-new-arts-festival-niagara","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ludwig-van.com\/toronto\/2026\/01\/09\/preview-art-action-climate-new-arts-festival-niagara\/","title":{"rendered":"PREVIEW | Art In Action: Climate \u2014 A New Arts Festival In Niagara"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Art
Art in Action graphic courtesy of The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre in St. Catharines has announced the details for Art in Action: Climate (AiA), a new festival of arts, ideas, and industry that extends across the Niagara Region. Highlights include work from renowned photographer Edward Burtynsky<\/strong>, the Avanti Singers<\/strong>, and Kaha:wi Dance Theatre<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Along with performances, the ten-day festival includes a film festival, discussions, educational programs, and a one-day Climate Symposium. Art in Action takes place from January 30 to February 1, 2026, bringing together artists, Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, scientists, local businesses, and members of the community.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe designed the first Art in Action festival as part of our tenth anniversary season to offer our attention, support and resources to inspiring artists and experts whose work focuses on the environment.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot only will Art in Action provide exceptional experiences for the public, but it will also be a catalyst for connection and conversation concerning local and global climate issues that will move us towards more purposeful action,\u201d says Colleen A. Smith<\/strong>, FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre CEO and Executive Producer of Art in Action.<\/p>\n

\"The
The Avanti Singers (Photo: Lauren Garbutt)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Art in Action: Climate at FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre \u2014 Highlights<\/h2>\n

Kaha:wi Dance Theatre: SK\u00e9N:NEN (Partridge Hall) (January 30 \u2014 Opening Night)<\/h3>\n

The Kanyen\u2019k\u00e9ha (Mohawk) word sk\u00e9n:nen (Sgah:nah) translates as mean peace and balance. By creator, director, designer, and dance artist Santee Smith<\/strong>, SK\u00e9N:NEN is a multi-layered, immersive performance experience infused with cultural knowledge, and a narrative that extends beyond time and space in an imagined post-apocalyptic world. It blends choreography, storytelling, and imaginative projections to tell the story of a young Kahnyen\u2019keha\u0300ka girl named Niyoh and other climate survivors.<\/p>\n

Edward Burtynsky: In the Wake of Progress (Robertson Theatre) (January 30 \u2013 February 8)<\/h3>\n

Edward Burtynsky\u2019s multimedia exhibition In the Wake of Progress anchors AiA. Burtynsky has become famous around the world for his large format photographs of industrial landscapes. They show locations across the globe, and represent the impact of industrialization on both the natural world and human life. He is a noted environmental advocate, and his work has been the subject of documentary films.<\/p>\n

In the Wake of Progress represents four decades of the acclaimed photographer and St. Catharines-born artist\u2019s work. The multimedia project was conceived, directed, filmed and photographed by Burtynsky, and co-produced by Canadian music luminary Bob Ezrin<\/strong>. The 22-minute work uses video and photographs from the entire span of Burtynsky\u2019s career, horeographed to an award-winning original score composed by Phil Strong, with vocals by award-winning Cree M\u00e9tis artist iskw\u0113 and performances by musicians of The Glenn Gould School at The Royal Conservatory of Music.<\/p>\n