The city of St. Catharines is located in the southeast of Ontario, and is the biggest city in the Niagara Region. The city of St. Catharines has earned its nickname as "The Garden City," owing to is more than one thousand acres of thoroughly groomed gardens, parks and trails. The very first settlers of St. Catharines city during 1780 were Loyalists: Private John Hainer of Butler's Rangers and Sergeant Jacob Dittrick, who came to Dick's Creek area. The name was taken from Richard Pierpoint, another Loyalist who was referred to as Captain Dick and settled close to the creek.
Rodman Hall offers various exhibition programs each year. It showcases works of local, international and national artists as well as a permanent collection of more than 850 outdoor installations, sculptures, photographs, and paintings. In the past, Rodman Hall was a public-run gallery, but became affiliated with Brock University when it experienced financial hardships. The Niagara Artists' Centre is a charitably-registered, non-profit group of artists who are dedicated to supporting the art-enthusiasts and working artists of Niagara. It features various exhibitions throughout the year, such as sculptures, abstract paintings, film screenings, and new media installations. Recently, the Centre transferred out of its former place on Bond Street to St. Paul Street in the city's downtown.
St. Catharines has a Folk Arts Council, that runs several various festivals throughout the month of May, ending with the "Folk Arts in the Park." This festival happens in Montebello Park. Now in its fifth year, the Art of Peace Festival strives to increase community bonding and engagement in the arts, as it reflects peace throughout the globe. Montebello Park has various performing arts events, open mic program, community art workshops, Speak Your Peace, vendors, elementary school art exhibition, and Peace Through Art Stations (where peace give information and offer arts activities to people). The Niagara Grape and Wine Festival is a non-profit group which presents 3 popular wine festivals within St. Catharines and Niagara all through the year. The Niagara Icewine Festival occurs during the winter season, the Niagara New Vintage Festival happens during summertime, and the Niagara Wine Festival happens all through the fall season. The latter festival is the most celebrated, as it draws various visitors to the region each and every year. The event is simply called "Grape and Wine," and it attracts several individuals, ranging from young teen partiers to wine connoisseurs. The SCENE Music Festival is a one-day event that is held in various clubs and pubs downtown. There are numerous famous bands from various genres that have played in the event already.
Working with the Downtown Creative Cluster Master Plan, St. Catharines City has tried to help revitalize and develop the downtown area. They have an office available to be able to help coordinate businesses. Amongst the services they offer comprise: Retention & Site Selection Assistance, Business Recruitment, Corporate Visitation Program, Small Business Development, Participatory Community Development, Industry Seminars and Workshops, Market Research and Assistance, Physician Recruitment, Domestic and International Marketing, Event Planning, and Tourism Promotion.