Mariposa Artistic Director leaves strong legacy – Liz Scott steps down after successful 7-year run

Posted on July 31, 2023July 31, 2023

ORILLIA ONTARIO – July 31, 2023, 10:00 am

The Mariposa Folk Foundation announced today that Artistic Director Liz Scott is stepping down after 7 successful years and two consecutive festival sell-outs. 

“Liz Scott shared the duties of Artistic Director with Mike Hill for the 2017 festival and took sole control of the artistic reins in 2018,” said Mariposa Folk Foundation President, Pam Carter. “During her tenure, our lineup continued to receive critical acclaim, our audience grew, and we were successful in attracting new fans. As I am fond of saying, Mariposa is true to its roots – for generations to come – and Liz has made an outstanding contribution to that end.”

The two most recent Mariposa Folk Festivals sold out of weekend passes long before gates opened. The ratio of younger demographics flourished during Scott’s tenure helping to secure Mariposa’s long-standing leadership role in the industry.

The Mariposa Folk Foundation Board unanimously thanked Scott for her dedication, creativity, and unique talent for assembling multi-layered lineups – always with something for everyone.

In crafting lineups, Scott was inspired by the beauty of Mariposa’s natural setting and her belief in the importance of in-person connections: “Pulling together the program is so exciting. New artists are there to be discovered from stage to stage to stage. That’s the trust audiences have had in Mariposa for over 60 years. It’s simply the best annual reunion of beautiful souls in a glorious setting.”

“We know that someone with Liz’s talent will continue to influence live music in Canada and the board wishes her well in all her future endeavours,” added Carter.

The Mariposa Folk Foundation anticipates launching the process to recruit its next Artistic Director by the end of the summer.

The three-day Mariposa Folk Festival features more than ten stages of top folk-roots music, along with presentations of story, dance, and craft. Kids 12 & under are admitted free. The festival has special pricing for youth and young adults. Onsite RV and tent camping is available. Tickets for the 2024 edition will be available for purchase this fall.