Mural from Katrina Thibodeau part of Summer Moon Festival

Local artist Katrina Thibodeau – whose artwork has been shown in London, Milan, and South Korea – has been announced as a mural artist during the upcoming Summer Moon Festival.

The Downtown Association and the City of Sault Ste. Marie will present the free multi-disciplinary arts festival from June 21 to June 25. 

The event also includes a number of workshops, vendors, and a concert featuring Skratch Bastid, Snotty Nose Rez Kids and Shad.

The beginning of the festival will be marked by Baawaating Jerusalema Dance Challenge on the front lawn of Algoma University.

For more information, read the news release below:

Presenting sponsor Your Neighbourhood Credit Union and festival organizers at the Indigenous Friendship Centre, the Downtown Association and the City of Sault Ste. Marie are excited to announce the return of the Summer Moon Festival from June 21 to June 25, 2022. A free multi-disciplinary arts festival Summer Moon Festival features the best of arts and culture that Baawaating Sault Ste. Marie has to offer!

During the festival week, five large-scale murals will be created in the downtown core. Globally renowned artists include Vancouver Island’s Jean Paul Langlois and local artist Katrina Thibodeau, whose work has been displayed in London, Milan, and South Korea, among other places. 

“These large-scale murals allow artists to tell stories in a visual medium that adds to the beauty of our community. The displays are enjoyed by locals as well as those who come far and wide to visit," said Salvatore Marchese, downtown association executive director, about the innovative approach to publicly accessible artworks that have been popping up along Queen Street since 2019. 

The festival begins June 21 with the Baawaating Jerusalema Dance Challenge at the front lawn of Algoma University. Join members of the local Indigenous community and the African Canadian Association of Northern Ontario as they perform Jerusalema. The dance act, developed during the pandemic, and showcased on National Indigenous Peoples Day, connects global dance troops.

“Capacity building in our city means coming together under the same focus and staying on track. The Summer Moon Festival, along with the Indigenous Friendship Centre, have made a reciprocal plan to work together to bring fun, kindness and happiness to the community of Sault Ste. Marie,” said Cathy Syrette, executive director of Indigenous Friendship Centre.

The Loft at the Algoma Conservatory of Music will host two days of community and artist workshops facilitated by industry professionals on topics such as Indigenous creating, podcasting, post-production, introduction to writing and storytelling, and live songwriting with Jay Case and Frank Deresti. 

On June 25, visit Mill Market for regularly scheduled vendors and an additional open-air market from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., along with evening musical performances at 6:30 p.m by Skratch Bastid, Snotty Nose Rez Kids and Shad, three-time Juno award-winning artist and 2022’s Summer Moon Festival headliner.

Other events planned for the festival's duration include art exhibits, interpretive dance performances, opportunities to view artist creations in real-time, and more! Visit the website for an event schedule.

About the Summer Moon Festival

The Summer Moon Festival is an annual festival where organizations work together to create and develop accessible, sustainable, multi-disciplinary public art, culture and heritage programming that supports tourism, economic diversity and arts sector development within the region. This event has created a welcoming and inclusive community for all through increased representation and cross-cultural relationships and through the opportunity for community members to share in multi-cultural experiences and programming. Summer Moon Festival is intended to promote and foster a sense of pride, place, ownership, and inclusion in the community.