MERA - McDonalds Cormers/Elphin Recreation and Arts is a not-for-profit community arts organization operating out of a renovated 1860s Schoolhouse in Lanark Highlands, Ontario.  Our mandate is to provide arts and recreation activities for people of all ages in our community. We are the only organization wholly dedicated to community arts in Lanark County and we are partly funded by the Ontario Arts Council. Information here changes frequently so be sure to check back again. Enjoy!

The MERA Book Club meets at 7 pm on the first Wednesday of every month between September and June. The book in May is Emma Albani by Cheryl MacDonald. At the June meeting the next year’s books are selected

Slab Mug Workshop, Saturdays, May 12 and 26.

Create your own Stoneware Mugs. Join designer, potter and fabric artist Isidora Spielmann and the MERA Pottery Studio Group to create ceramic mugs from slabs of clay. The MERA pottery group is using this day to create mugs that will be used at Cafe MERA and invite you to join them in the design process and to create mugs for your own use. Please sign up for this workshop by May 7. Cost is $35 for MERA members and $50 for non MERA members, plus $10 for materials. 

Saturday, May 12 -10am to 2pm for creating mugs. (until 4pm for finishing).
Saturday, May 26 - 9am to 2pm for glazing mugs (until 4pm for finishing).
Monday, June 7 - Mugs out of kiln and ready for pick up.

Cedar Basketry Workshop, Saturday, June 9 (1-3:30pm) and Sunday, June 24 (10am-2:30 pm)

This workshop takes place over two sessions. On Saturday, June 9, participants will meet at 1pm in the MERA  parking lot and drive to gather cedar bark in preparation for the cedar basket making workshop to be held on June 24th . If you cannot attend and wish to take the cedar basket making workshop please ask a friend to gather your bark or contact Ankaret at  ankaret@storm.ca or at 613 278 1203.

On June 9 please:

BRING a sharp knife, a pruning saw, a large screwdriver/chisel, clothes pegs, string, and insect repellant.

WEAR old clothes, sensible footwear, possibly a mosquito jacket/hat.

On Sunday June 24, from 10am until 2:30pm at MERA the workshop participants will weave a small round basket using the cedar bark. For this session please bring your cedar bark, a sharp knife, scissors, an apron, an old piece of cloth/leather to protect your legs (you will be working on your knees), a pail, clothes pegs, and some sort of oil for your hands if the bark is sticky.

Cost: $35 for MERA members, $50 for non-MERA members

Instructor: Ankaret Dean is an accomplished artist and MERA’s Artistic Director.

"LET YOUR FINGERS DO THE TALKING"-Finger Painting Workshop for Adults, Saturday, July 7, 1-4pm, MERA Schoolhouse

You are smiling right now, thinking about putting your hands in some paint and moving the paint on some paper. The use of colour in a painting is often a reflection of emotions. Come and experience the colour of self discovery.

The goal of this workshop is self discovery through creative arts. Using different colours of finger paints and paper, participants will be asked to visualize and materialize a picture of a significant event happening in their lives right now. The use of colour is often a reflection of emotions. With an explanation of the psychology of colour, participants will be invited to share their creation as the presenter helps analyze the creation for possible meanings of the colours used within. Participants will walk away with a better understanding of their emotional state about an event they are experiencing and, maybe, will use the technique in the future.

The paint is washable and non-toxic and the paper is recyclable. Please wear sensible clothing.  The paint washes off with water, but it is best to be careful.

Cost: $25 for MERA members, $40 for non-MERA members. Cost includes materials.

Instructor: Linda Grenier. “My life as an artist started at a young age, always sketching images that I enjoyed and writing songs and playing guitar. Several years ago, I had been going through some very dark days. I was hollowed and worn.  A very good friend asked me to pick out a picture that I had in my photo album that I really liked, drove me to an art studio and sat me in front of a canvass.  That day, I spent the whole day painting “Sunset over Dalhousie” with acrylics. I had never painted before, my true arts being pencil sketching and music.  That day, I realized that I have many talents and abilities and the joy that I find in each and every one of those talents and abilities can pull me through the darkest of days. Today, as a certified counsellor, I have developed a series of workshops to help others feel the energy that I felt that day.  I hope to share my knowledge that I have combined with art with others so that they may heal and move forward with pride and confidence, as I did."

Children’s Summer Art Camp at MERA, July 23-27, 2012

The popular Children’s Summer Arts Camp, led again by Janice Ling, will be returning to MERA, July 23 to 27. It’s never too early to register your child (between 5 and 12 years of age) by e-mailing meraschoolhouse@bell.net or leaving a phone message at 613-278-0388. More details here.