Our Capital project is to acquire an electric truck suitable for safely and reliably towing our existing studio trailer for our upcoming Art On Wheels project in 2026, and from place to place for future projects in the years to come.
In 2025, we transformed an enclosed trailer into a colourful solar powered mobile art studio that we used to activate free community arts programming three days a week for three months in Delhi Park in our hometown of Picton. We’d like to build on this programs success by taking the show on the road in 2026 with a new program, Art On Wheels, bringing our mobile studio to under-served communities in our region. We will spend ten days in each community, culminating in a public exhibition and celebration. In this pilot year we will visit communities within one-hour of Picton. The workshops will take place largely outdoors in central public locations, using our vibrant trailer to attract passers-by. They will be staffed by a team of two artists with a wealth of experience facilitating community arts.
Our biggest challenge to realizing this project is that the vehicle we have been relying on for trailer transport is not appropriate for long distance towing.
Our organization prioritizes environmental responsibility, exemplifying that through our use of recycled materials and the green choices we make every day. Our mobile studio trailer is equipped with solar panels and a power station capable of running all of our artmaking tools as well as a sound system for music and live performances. In that spirit, we would like to purchase an electric vehicle capable of towing our studio trailer and have identified the Ford 150 Lightning as the most suitable vehicle available at a reasonable price. Another benefit of this vehicle is that there is a dealership in our area that can provide service and maintenance. With your support we can bring free programming to the communities we serve in our region while maintaining a low carbon footprint.
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Proud to support DOI’s incredibly uplifting and inspiring programs that bring creative energy, cultural connection, and joyful expression to rural communities.
I have had a long career in the Arts but what the DOI does simply amazes me. The level of inclusiveness, professionalism, kindness and creativity is astounding.
The DEPARTMENT OF ILLUMINATION has been the key social opener for me this past year, welcoming me into my new community of Prince Edward County and area! I began with experiencing the outdoor art projects by the DOI in Delhi Park at their ‘art mobile’ tearing up paper for paper Mâché in preparation for making amazing puppet heads. Next I became a ‘frog’ singer of the choir in the Delhi Park Pageant which we performed in August 2025. (See my photo.) It was the highlight of my Summer!
The DOI would make excellent use of this truck so they can continue to bring their magic–art, music, theatre, special events, creative community-building!
I can’t recommend this project enough.The introduction to art, fantasy, imagination and joy that this group brings to children and adults alike is immeasurable