With the ongoing COVID-19 lockdown keeping everyone at home, the Georgian Bay Centre for the Arts (GBarts) has started a new initiative to address the physical and mental health of local residents.

Welcome Craft Dinners! Each week a new menu of delicious home-cooked meals will be posted online, for curbside pick-up on Friday or Saturday. Each meal will include a mini craft project, complete with everything needed to make something special in the comfort and safety of your own home. New projects will be added weekly to ensure repeat customers always have a fresh craft kit to get excited about.

“There is a clear link between creativity and mental well-being,” says GBarts co-founder Morag Budgeon. “When we pair an excellent meal prepared by Chef Marnie Weiss with a craft developed by our creative team, it’s the perfect wellness solution for local residents who are being asked to remain home.”

During the spring 2020 lockdown GBarts donated over 500 kids craft kits to local community groups. It also created and sold hundreds of popular Curbside Kits.

Craft Dinner menus will be posted weekly on Facebook, Instagram and on www.gbarts.ca. Orders can be placed on Facebook Messenger or phoned in to 519 371-2200. Orders must be placed before Wednesday at 4PM. “We were thrilled with the response to our first weeks’ Moroccan menu,” says Budgeon, “and our minds are racing with new ideas. Our community has been very gracious with donations of art and craft supplies, so we have plenty of materials to work with.”

Marnie Weiss, formerly of Red Hot Catering, joined the GBarts team in October 2020, and her delicious global fare is garnering rave reviews in the centres’ Palette Café, which remains open for takeout coffee and lunches. “It is a perfect relationship, delicious food and delightful craft. I am excited to be part of this new venture.” adds Chef Marnie.

The Georgian Bay Centre for the Arts is a main street Creative Hub in downtown Owen Sound. A variety of users, professional and public, have access to this creative space, specialized tools and equipment, encouraging collaboration and skills development. The emphasis is on printmaking, pottery, jewellery, stained glass, with a swing space/classroom, where other, painting, drawing, encaustic, and other alternative mediums can be explored.

For more information please contact Morag Budgeon at 519 371 2200 or [email protected].

source: media release, Georgian Bay Centre for the Arts