Department to illuminate art, nature and community in Delhi Park

Department of Illumination at a Festival of Light event. – Sharon Harrison file photo

This summer The Department of Illumination group is transforming Picton’s largest green space into a hub of creativity and community connection. From May 17 through August, its new mobile art studio will be at the 31-acre park as the organization embarks on an artistic residency.

Krista Dalby

Nestled between two ridges, bordered by cemeteries and split by a creek leading to Picton Harbour, Delhi Park is a place with a history as complex as its landscape. Once a former garbage dump, and current home to a wastewater facility, the park is also a pastoral retreat with vast fields and mature woodlands.

“Nature is always the best source of inspiration,” said Department of Illumination Artistic Director Krista Dalby, whose background includes four years of community artmaking in Toronto’s Dufferin Grove Park with Clay & Paper Theatre. “Delhi Park is a beautiful spot, and we are embracing it as both a muse and a venue.” That’s why in 2025, The Department of Illumination is dedicating significant time to this space, spending three days a week making art in, and about, the park.

As Picton undergoes rapid transformation, Delhi Park inevitably will, too, she adds. “With the nearby Nicholas Street and Base31 developments, and a refreshed vision for the park’s pathways in the works thanks to landscape architects VTLA, it feels like the perfect time to start a new chapter for the park — one that invites the community to engage with it in ways never before imagined.”

In late May, the group plans to launch the new mobile art studio, a colourful solar-powered trailer made possible thanks to a grant from the John M. & Bernice Parrott Foundation. Every Thursday, Friday and Saturday the community will be invited to join the artists in exploring the park and participating in collaborative artmaking.

All programming is free of charge, although donations are always welcome. The art being created will be inspired by the park itself, adds Dalby, shaped by the natural surroundings and by the voices of the community.

“All are invited to participate in this shared creative experience regardless of age, socio-economic background or artistic experience. Expect to see a diverse range of artistic expressions including music, dance, puppetry and costumes.”

The Department of Illumination is also partnering with a number of local groups such as Feral Folc, Prince Edward County Field Naturalists and South Shore Joint Initiative to offer free nature programming. Through these accessible arts and nature programs, the members aim to foster a deeper connection to both the natural world and public spaces, while encouraging a sense of collective stewardship and pride for Delhi Park.

The Delhi Park residency is to culminate Aug. 23 with a grand finale: The Delhi Park Pageant. This large-scale community spectacle will weave together the art, music and performances to create a stunning, immersive celebration of Delhi Park’s past, present and future.

The Delhi Park Project is about more than just creating art; it’s also about building community, said Dalby, noting every Saturday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. the group plans to host a community picnic with entertainment.

The Department of Illumination is a registered not-for-profit organization founded in 2013 by a group of artists in Prince Edward County. They aim to bring joy and creativity to the community by producing festivals, workshops, and other artistic events. This company of artists weaves creativity into the fabric of the community, bringing people together for shared experiences of wonder and beauty. They strive to be a cultural leader, demonstrating excellence and innovation in rural arts.

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