Continuing to envision the LodgePole Arts Creative Studio Complex at Lemoine’s Point Farm, Kingston, ON

News release from LPAA.  Feb 11 2025

In 2024, LodgePole Arts Alliance (LPAA), a local charitable not-for-profit, announced
their vision to establish a publicly accessible, Indigenous owned, operated, and
programmed land-based studio complex for culture and creativity in the Kingston,
Ontario region. To this end, the LPAA remains eager to purchase Lemoine’s Point Farm
in the Collin’s Bay region of Kingston, an area known archaeologically to have been
occupied by Indigenous ancestors. The farm is an 82-acre ecological jewel in the heart
of Kingston, adjacent to the Lemoine Point Conservation Area, with one kilometer of
natural Lake Ontario shoreline, extensive woodlands and approximately 50 acres of
pasture. https://lodgepolearts.ca/donate/

The future of Lemoine’s Point Farm has been hotly debated across the region for over 4
years, since its last owner passed away and left direction to preserve the area from all
future development. The outcomes of a community consultation by the Save Lemoine
Point Farm group in January 2024 indicated widespread community support for a vision
such as LPAA’s.  Top recommended uses for the land by attendees included Indigenous
leadership, an arts and cultural centre, and preserving natural and agricultural values.  
LPAA presented their plan to the City’s Arts and Culture Advisory committee in the
summer 2024 and received overwhelmingly positive feedback due to the centre’s
alignment with multiple aspects of the City’s Strategic Plan.  “We have now shared our
vision with all City Councillors, the Mayor, and Chief Administrative Officer and look
forward to ongoing conversations as the legal case surrounding the purchase price
comes to a conclusion”, says cofounder and Executive Director, Dr. Terri-Lynn Brennan.
The LPAA is eager to work with the City of Kingston and community partners to
preserve this natural landscape for all Kingstonian’s, visitors and partners alike. On
Tuesday, February 17 th , 2026, an Ontario Court will deliver its ruling on the future
of the property – questions remain as to what protection will be given the 82
acres, and whether or not it will pass into public hands or be made available for
private development.

LodgePole Art’s primary objective remains focused on protecting and preserving the
land through Indigenous teachings, values, knowledge, and caretaking traditions, while
making it’s natural old-growth, shoreline landscape, and walking trails through the
conservation area, publicly accessible for all Kingstonians and the general public to
enjoy. Indigenous centred performances, workshops, teaching sessions, conferences,
markets and festivals throughout the year will keep the Studio Complex a hive of productive excitement and economic activity. This will be a win-win-win for all,” says Dr. Brennan. 

Taxpayers will save the costs of property acquisition, and the general public will benefit
from a protected and publicly accessible natural space. Furthermore, LodgePole Arts’
vision for a Indigenous artistic hub, modeled after the internationally renowned [The]
Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity in Banff, Alberta, will add countless economic
benefits for Kingston and the region.

“We are asking the City to act on the opportunity to purchase and secure the land and
then sell it to LodgePole Arts so that it won’t be lost to private development,” says
Grand Council Feather Carrier, Harmony Johnson-Harder. “We understand that the late
Mary Fraser would have been very enthusiastic about our vision and intentions for the
whole of the farm landscape”