In just a year and a half, the Brighton Arts and Cultural Council (BACC) has rapidly transformed a visionary idea into a vibrant, inclusive hub—opening the Presqu’ile Waddling Art Centre in December 2024, honouring local arts legacy while fostering creativity, confidence, and community across all ages.
By Scott Williams
A lot has happened in a short time for the Brighton Arts and Cultural Council (BACC). In 2022, Brighton
Mayor Brian Ostrander and Deputy Mayor Ron Anderson approached local artist Des Rodrigues with the
idea of launching a new arts and cultural centre. Years earlier, the well-regarded Brighton Arts
Council—founded by the multi-talented artist, actor, and author Ron Waddling—had closed its doors.
Inspired by Ostrander’s statement that “without the arts in your community, you’re just bricks and
mortar,” Rodrigues embraced the challenge. Initial meetings followed, a not-for-profit corporation was
formed, and by December 2024, the new Presqu’ile Waddling Art Centre officially opened its doors.
The name was deliberately chosen: Presqu’ile reflects a regional focus beyond just Brighton; Waddling
honours the Centre’s roots; and Art Centre signals something broader than a traditional gallery. The
model is refreshingly different. The collection isn’t formally curated—instead, artists decide what they
want to exhibit and when. “We’re open to all our members,” says vice-president Surina Hart. “Pieces
don’t have to be gallery-wrapped or framed—it’s all open to their expression.” Artists pay a vendor fee
for any month their work is displayed, set their own prices, and keep 100% of their sales.
The range of art is as diverse as the artists themselves. “There are many artists here who never imagined
showing their work,” says Hart. “Now they’ve become members, they’re displaying—and they’re
selling.” Rodrigues agrees: “It’s really about building confidence,” a theme he returns to often.
That spirit of inclusion and encouragement carries over into the Centre’s wide-ranging programming:
drum circles, sound baths, yoga classes, music jams, and workshops in everything from watercolour to
wood carving, pet portraits to pen and ink, air-dry clay to photography.
The BACC’s reach spans generations. Young people are especially well represented: a three-day March
Break youth camp introduced participants to sculpting, line art, photography, and painting. The BACC’s
inaugural fundraising gala included a juried show for high school students, and local teens regularly
volunteer at the Centre to earn community service hours. Meanwhile, at the other end of the age
spectrum, the “Artful Journeys” program brings monthly workshops to all four local seniors’ residences.
“We know our seniors can’t always come to us, so we go to them,” Hart explains. “No matter their
level—whether in their art or in their aging—we’re designing workshops just for them.”
The BACC’s signature event is Art in the Park, held each August long weekend in partnership with the
Downtown Business Improvement Area. Now in its third year, the event continues to grow—featuring
30 artists and drawing about 5,000 visitors in 2024.
Looking ahead, the BACC plans to launch an Art Healing Therapy Program for military personnel and first
responders living with trauma. “First responders see so much,” says Hart. “Art has been proven to
help—it offers a safe space to express emotions and begin to heal.”
With such a range of programs and initiatives, it’s easy to forget how new the organization really is. Even
Rodrigues is taken aback when he reflects on the pace of growth: “Things have happened by leaps and
bounds. To think of what we’ve accomplished in a year and a half… it’s pretty astounding.”
This article was previously published in the Summer 2025 Vol. 34 No. 2 issue of Umbrella.
