About Us
HEACT is a group of artists and artisans in the Highlands East area of Haliburton County. They gather together each year to arrange and promote an annual Highlands East Arts and Crafts Tour event. HEACT is a not-for-profit organization which originally consisted of 8 core members and has now grown to 24 members. This friendly, talented group is fast becoming known throughout the area for their exquisite one-of-a-kind works of art.
How We Began. . .by Elva Bates, Founding Chair
"Because I knew that there was a lot of artistic talent hidden in the south-east quadrant of Haliburton County, I planted the seed for the Highlands East Arts & Crafts Tour at a Gooderham Community Action Group meeting in June, 2002.
The seed began to germinate when Joanne Walsh wrote an article in the Loop Communicator in July 2002, and it poked its first shoots out of the ground when five local artists called me in August 2002 to discuss the possibilities.
The idea was then cultivated during the next several months by studying how other tours operated, drawing in more of our local artists, and setting up an administrative structure. There was a lot of hard work to do before the tour could become a reality. It finally blossomed on August 9th and 10th, 2003.
This area is unique; each of the artists featured in our tour is unique; their work is professional, diversified and affordable. With continued care and nurturing, our tour continues to evolve and blossom. Come, 'take the Tour' for a rewarding experience."