Escape Artists are Coming to the County

Commercial artists, fine artists, folk artists, filmmakers, TV producers, musicians, writers and media folk of all shapes and sizes are leaving the city for a new life in The County. That's Prince Edward County, a beautiful island community that is a rich blend of fifth-generation descendents of United Empire Loyalists who settled here 200 years ago and new settlers, people from all walks of life and every part of Canada and the U.S. and beyond who come to The County seeking new beginnings and escape from the rat race.

Some come for a weekend break and never really leave, others search far and wide before choosing The County. They come for a gentler lifestyle and are willing to make compromises to live in the country, but many - like the creative people profiled here find their success and their business actually increase. For example Dave Hatch (right), a freelance television producer, has seen his business triple. Technology is freeing people to live and work where they choose. And a lot of people are choosing The County.

On these pages you can meet five creative people who made the break from the city after discovering The County. They are finding it a great place to live and work. These are just a few of the ones that got away and not only lived to tell the tale but are wearing big, relaxed, prosperous smiles and enjoying their life in The County.

Bruce Milan

“We visited four tims, in every season, before we bought a place. It was 1,100 miles every time, and we couldn’t wait to get here.”
Bruce Milan has been hammering iron for almost 30 years since training as a farrier in Oregon in 1978. Now he has his own forge and ironworks in the County and makes beautiful kitchenware, tables, benches, gates and more...more

Sha'alah

“We spend the summers in our trailer at Quinte’s Isle. It’s perfect there.”
Painter, professional belly dancer and midwife. Sha’alah and her partner Barry recently opened Ivory Art Supply on Main Street, Picton...more

JD Carpenter

Dave moved to the County in 2001, but before that he’d spent every vacation here for 20 years
David Carpenter has published 3 novels, many collections of poetry and several essays and magazine pieces...more

Christine Renaud

“You can try things in the County. If you have a good idea and can see a market for it, you can go for it here.”
Christine Renaud is a features writer, editor and publisher of UPFRONT a quarterly magazine focused on the arts scene in Prince Edward County that also dips its literary toes into environmental issues and the joys of living with small towns and big hearted people...more

Terry Williams

“If I was 20 years younger, I’d seriously think about starting an agency here. There’s all the talent you need - film people, graphic designers, writers, marketers.”
Terry Williams is allegedly retired, but don’t tell that to the Swiss couple who recently bought a piece of his work at Picton’s Art in the County...more

Peter Mennacher

They looked at many places before choosing the County as their new home - well placed between major cities it had beauty, character and peace.
Peter Mennacher is an artist from Munich. Expressive, enthusiastic and very European he says art should affect you physically and not just look good over the couch...more

Katalin Kiss

Katalin lived many places between leaving Toronto and arriving in Prince Edward County. Now she’s content in her beautiful log house that’s close to the water and wide open countryside as well as Picton’s shops and restaurants.
Orchestra London calls Katalin Kiss “One of the most experienced and diverse vocalists currently working in Ontario.” They don’t lie...more

John McKinney

The County offers the chance to avoid the rat race, live somewhere beautiful, enjoy safe country living with his family, pursue his art and enjoy his life.
John McKinney is a bass player, a band leader, record producer and recording engineer and a quiet kind of guy. But he can bring down the house when he wants to...more

Carl Wiens

"Moving here freed me from the "centre of the universe" in Toronto. Now I get work from all over, a lot from the U.S. and in fact a surprising amount locally."
Carl Wiens is a Freelance Illustrator - editorial, print, web and textbook illustrations, cover art and packaging design plus animated characters...more

Dave Hatch

"I was told I was jeopardizing my business by leaving the city, but business has tripled since I moved out - I've gone from one editing suite to three."
Dave Hatch is a TV Producer and owner of Whistlestop Productions. Dave works with five staff members and freelance crews across the country to produce specialty sports programming for TSN...more

James Lahti

"Even though I lived in one of the nicest neighbourhoods in Toronto the traffic and hassle and rush was getting to me. I began to understand the meaning of 'road rage.'"
James Lahti is an Imax filmmaker, film editor, writer and producer. Editor of CBC's Anne of Avonlea and producer of Road to Avonlea, James has also made more Imax films than anyone...more

Peta Hall

"Now people come to me … 2002 has been my most successful year ever!"
Peta Hall is a Potter, porcelain artist and workshop teacher whose vividly coloured pots celebrate life and bring sunshine into everyday living...more

Robert Wiens

"If I hadn't left the city I probably would have given up painting…"
Painter, sculptor, carpenter, Robert Wien's deep love of wood and trees inspired his most recent works - intensely detailed, often life-sized paintings of very old tree trunks that have a monumental beauty. The series is internationally recognized and collected, but if he hadn't moved to the County, it might never have happened...more

Bill Reddick

"I'd say I escaped before they got me. Moving to the county saved me from getting trapped where I shouldn’t be. Here I found the freedom and inspiration to do what I want and live the way I need to … "
Bill Reddick is a potter and porcelain artist who has been invited to tour China, been voted Best New Artisan at the One of a Kind Show and become a favourite artist of actress Jane Seymour who discovered his studio in a remote and beautiful corner of the County..more

Vanessa Pandos

I came to Prince Edward County looking for freedom to explore, experiment and expand. I found it … and a whole lot more.”
Vanessa Pandos uses found objects, discarded bits and pieces, things that have fallen off of other things, machine parts and natural treasures. At a recent auction ... More

The Wellington Pottery

“We visited Prince Edward County during the studio tour and discovered a strong artists community in a place that was genuinely small business friendly. So we moved here."
Potters and mosaic artists who sell at wholesale and retails shows and to the steady stream of visitors to their studio. More

Graham Davies - The Bald Photographer Gallery

“Here in the County I have less stress, more enjoyment and about the same amount of business … plus 50 acres and a swimming pool!”
Photographer, workshop teacher
A farmhouse on 54 acres of land with two barns, one transformed into a gallery and studio with original massive beams and a darkroom where the chicken coop used to be. The other Graham calls his “resource centre” full of old windows and doors, century old barn boards and other treasures. More

Caroline Shuttle

“A lot of people escape from the city to the simplicity of Prince Edward County. For me it was different … I felt like I was moving back to civilization.”
In a country town alive with artists, award-winning glass artist Caroline Shuttle creates masterworks in stained, etched and carved glass and a new Asian-inspired line of stunning fused-glass dishes that... More