The Sault Ste. Museum 

The Sault Ste. Marie ​Museum acts as both host and storyteller of local heritage and social programming. A cultural hub, they create spaces of sharing through education and preservation of artifacts. 

The Museum is a non-profit, charitable organization facilitated by the Sault Ste. Marie & 49th Field Regiment R.C.A. Historical Society for the citizens of Sault Ste. Marie and the District of Algoma, as well as visitors to the community. A management Board of Directors oversees the operation of the Museum.

Background
​
On October 31st, 1921, the Sault Ste. Marie Historical Society became incorporated through affiliation and membership with the Ontario Historical Society.

​In 1982 an agreement was recorded between the 49th Field Regiment R.C.A. and the Sault Ste. Marie and 49th Field Regiment R.C.A. Historical Society regarding their continuing collaboration. The agreement recognizes the debt owed to the Regiment by the Society for providing space in the Armoury, and states the intention of the Society to relocate to the new facility.

​The Museum was opened in 1983 by the Society under an agreement with the City of Sault Ste. Marie for the use of the building.

Contact
​
​William Hollingshead
Executive Director & Chief Curator
william@saultmuseum.ca

The ArtSpeaks Project

Currently, The ArtSpeaks Project​ offers adults & youth, impacted by trauma, non-clinical art-as-therapy experiences via free-access community-based art-making.

​Creative engagement helps to reduce cortisol (stress hormone) levels in the body while also helping to foster new perspectives through the exploration of one's symbolic mark-making process. Thus, by reducing stress and increasing self-knowledge, one experiences greater personal resilience and wellness.
​
Background
​
​The ArtSpeaks Project came into existence in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario in 2016 thanks to a Seed Grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation.

At it's inception, The ArtSpeaks Project offered women and female-identifying individuals impacted by trauma due to sexual violence, addictions and mental health challenges, the opportunity to participate in art-based-learning through cultural mentorship with professional artists.

In 2019, ArtSpeaks changed its focus to adults and youth (16+) impacted by trauma. ArtSpeaks' community partners include Breton House and Sault Area Hospital's Sexual Assault Care Centre and The Sault Ste. Marie Museum.

Contact
​
​Maria Parrella-ilaria, AOCA, BFA, MA
(she/her) 
Art Therapist and Coordinator of The ArtSpeaks Project
theartspeaksproject@gmail.com