Hands in Commemoration: Celebrating Deaf Culture in Belleville

The Quinte Arts Council is honoured to celebrate Hands in Commemoration, a
landmark festival recognizing our local Deaf culture and the deep significance of the Sir
James Whitney School for the Deaf (SJW) in our community.

Founded in 1870 as the Ontario Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb, Sir
James Whitney School is Canada’s oldest and largest school for the Deaf. It is one of
Belleville’s important cultural assets. For more than 150 years, it has been a cultural
and educational cornerstone, nurturing generations of Deaf students and shaping the
fabric of Belleville. Today, the school continues to stand as a proud symbol of identity,
heritage, and community.

A Festival of Art, Language, and Identity

At the heart of this festival is the powerful exhibition of De’VIA (Deaf View/Image Art) at
the Parrott Art Gallery. These works affirm Deaf identity, share lived stories, and
celebrate American Sign Language (ASL) as both a language and a vibrant cultural
expression.

Exhibition Details
September 20 – October 17, 2025
Parrott Art Gallery (3rd floor, Belleville Public Library, 254 Pinnacle Street)
Tue–Sat 10 am–5 pm | Thu 10 am–8 pm | Closed Sun–Mon
Free admission

Visitors will encounter moving works such as Bi-Languages in Our Life by Vika
Rudenko, alongside many other stunning pieces. Each artwork is accompanied by a QR
code linking to the artist’s statement in ASL with voiceover and captions, ensuring
accessibility and deeper connection for all audiences.

Local Visionaries and Community Leadership

This celebration also acknowledges the leadership of Janice Drake, Chair of the
OSD/SJW Alumni Association, whose vision and determination kept alive the alumni’s
dream of creating a lasting heritage monument in the heart of Belleville.

Working alongside Drake, Leah Riddell, a Deaf artist and accessibility advocate,
designed the concept for a permanent installation spelling out “Belleville” in ASL
handshapes. While a temporary version appeared at the Festival of Lights, the true goal
is a permanent metal and plexiglass sign at Zwick’s Island Park—a landmark honouring
ASL, Deaf culture, and the legacy of Sir James Whitney School for the Deaf.

Riddell says, “For generations, Deaf people in Belleville have carried stories of
resilience, identity, and culture that often went unseen. Hands in Commemoration is our way of making that visible; through art, through language, and soon, through a permanent ASL sign in the heart of the city. It’s a celebration of who we are, and an
invitation for the community to celebrate with us.”

The festival has been more than a year in the making, with support from the Quinte Arts
Council, Nicole Yantzi, The City of Belleville, the Parrott Foundation and the Parrott
Gallery. Their collaboration ensures that this milestone celebration will be one of pride,
reflection, and shared experience.

Storytelling Through Film

Adding to the celebration is a newly created video by filmmaker and producer Alvin
Witcher of PAH Media. Witcher, who is Deaf, founded PAH Media to share authentic
stories from within the Deaf community. As he explains on his website:

“Something was missing in the Deaf community – there was a lack of
sharing information, specifically about Deaf people, our stories and
experiences. It was time I rolled up my sleeves and returned to my original
passion: making documentaries to share Deaf stories.”

His contribution ensures that Hands in Commemoration is not only seen, but also felt
through the powerful medium of film.

Festival Highlights

Proclamation Ceremony: Alumni will gather at the City of Belleville on September 22nd
for an official proclamation recognizing the event.

International Day of Sign Languages: On September 23rd at 9 am, the International Day
of Sign Languages Flag will be raised at the Belleville Wellness Centre.

Parrott Gallery Exhibition: Running from September 20 to October 17, 2025, the
exhibition is free and open to the public, offering a rare and meaningful opportunity to
experience Deaf art and culture.

Film Screening: Alvin Witcher’s documentary will be aired at the Quinte Arts Council
and Quinte Wellness Centre throughout the festival, offering another way for the public
to connect with Deaf voices and stories.

An Invitation to Celebrate Together

Hands in Commemoration is more than an exhibition—it is a celebration of resilience,
identity, and the cultural legacy of our local Deaf community. We invite everyone to bring
family, friends, and neighbours to learn, connect, and join us in honouring this
extraordinary chapter of Belleville’s story.

The illustration in this image is called “Bi-Languages in Our Life” and it was created by Vika Rudenko.