September, 2017 featured the 10th Bring Your Thing of the year themed  “Capture Kingston.”  In the open setting of The Malting Tower room, at the Tett Centre for Creativity and Learning, objects from the community were displayed and several activities were available, speaking to how you Capture Kingston.

The entire evening was heavily influenced by photography and it was a privilege to see numerous photographs and cameras on display. Jennifer McKendry’s collection, in particular, provided an example of the evolution of the photographic medium. ‘Kingston Revealed’, the main talk of the night, struck a chord with the visitors through its poignant descriptions of the advantages and risks of early photography methods. We learned how early photography had its own versions of “photoshop” and of the different photographers which set up in Kingston, including the work of  Henry Henderson.

One of the most interesting objects was the sculpture of “The Kingston Potter’s Guild Sale” by Joan Woods. The sculpture is a testament to Woods’ legacy and also captures the heart of a Kingston establishment.

St. George’s Cathedral provided a mysterious object for consideration. Everyone was captivated by trying to guess what it could be, however, it was revealed that the heavy metal object’s purpose remains unknown. This artifact is another example of the various ways in which Kingston’s history often consists of stories yet to be told.

Bring Your Thing: Capture Kingston also managed to captivate people through multiple activities. The caption Kingston photographs encouraged creativity but, participants in the playdough challenge were truly thinking outside the box. In the playdough challenge groups had to construct a scene that represents Kingston. Subjects included Fort Frederick, the Time sculpture, along the Kingston waterfront, and the Wolfe Island Ferry. These miniature constructions were colourful depictions, and not just because of the materials being used.

Thanks to the many visitor objects and contributions from the Military Communications and Electronics Museum, W.D. Jordan Rare Books and Special Collections, St. George’s Cathedral and the RMC Museum the evening represented a large swath of Kingston heritage.

October, 2017 presented another fantastic opportunity to learn even more at the next Bring Your Thing, “What’s Your Rhythm?” at the Edith Rankin Memorial United Church. Keep updated about Bring Your Thing on our facebook page or on the website www.bringyourthingkingston.ca