Bonnie Blink Project

The Bonnie Blink Project

Sheguiandah, Manitoulin Island

October 12-23

23 geographers 8 artists 1 site

Full day and part-day art workshops for Kids and Adults

Talks: local historians, researchers and artists
Site Visits: Physical geographer Tag-Along

Story Social: Bring your memories and stories of the Sheg Townline

Activities range from FREE to $20

The Bonnie Blink house was one of the first settler houses built on Manitoulin. The name Bonnie Blink means 'beautiful view'.  When the Robinson-Huron Treaty enabled white settlement on Manitoulin,  the original 15 acres of the farm was  purchased  by James Lewis in 1880, and stayed in the family until 1930 when it was purchased by Douglas Murray, who started Manitoulin Gardens, purchasing additional property until it was 100 acres. The house on the property variously housed its owners and descendants, as well as local and migrant workers. Located near the Sheguiandah First Nation, the property and this project present an important site from which geographers and artists will be able to interrogate land use history, immigrant and worker issues, and community stories about agriculture, culture and community. 

Diana Parill, the current owner of the house approached 4e with a vision of running an arts project about the Bonnie Blink house and farm. After three years of dreaming, planning and co-ordination, we have an exciting, multi-facted community project. 

Artists and geographers will be researching and mapping the physical history of the site, working with local archives and talking with community members about their knowledge of local histories. Community members are invited to share their stories, contribute to the mapping project and participate in the various activities that run throughout the program.

Drop in for a visit to see what the artists are up to. Talk to geographers about how they figure out land use history, and tag along with them on the site. Sign up for a workshop. Come to talk. Drop in to the Story Social and share a memory.