ELORA – After a two-year absence due to the pandemic, the Elora Plein Air Festival for painters will be back May 19 through 22, drawing artists from all over.
The four-day event will feature many activities including outdoor painting, art demonstrations, a two-hour Quick Paint competition, a film and food event, and a historical walking tour, officials say.
Over $2,000 in prizes will be awarded.
Coordinator Barb Lee said there are already over 60 artists registered for this year’s festival, including artists from the U.S., Western Canada, as well as local artists.
Lee told the Advertiser organizers are enthused and excited to be able to bring back the festival.
“It feels great, and we are seeing a wonderful response from the artists and from the community,” Lee said.
“It’s always a fun event because for three days you’ll see artists all over Centre Wellington out in the countryside, by the sides of roads, down in nooks and crannies, in the town, through the gorge, capturing images,” she added.
“We really want to encourage the locals to be aware of it again and to appreciate when it happens.”
The outdoor painting will take place, regardless of weather, May 19 to May 21. The Show and Sale for the public will be at the Elora Centre for the Arts on May 22 from 2 to 5 pm.
A variety of special activities will take place through the weekend, including:
– Plein Air Demonstration by artist and Festival judge Sam Paonessa at the Victoria Street walking bridge in Elora both Friday and Saturday afternoons;
– Quick Paint Competition at Templin Gardens in Fergus between 9am and 1pm on May 21. Artists will be challenged to complete a painting in two hours. These works will be judged and offered for sale, on site, at noon;
– Film on a Plate at the Highland Rugby Club building Friday evening in Fergus will feature food and an art related film; and
– A.J. Casson’s Elora, a free guided walking tour led by the Village Duo Gary Bryant and Al Koop, will leave from the Elora Tourism office at 2pm Saturday and present locations where the famous Group of Seven painter did his own plein air work in Elora.
“[It] adds to the art base of our towns, which are so beautiful,” Lee said of the event. There is something in the water around here that brings artists to Fergus and Elora, and they love it.
“And that’s why it’s such a strong art-based community,” she added. “So events like this are just part of that joy.”
Artists wishing to participate are encouraged to visit www.EloraPleinAir.ca for details about registration procedures, fee categories, rules and regulations, scenic locations in Centre Wellington, past festival award winners, and people to contact. Registration is limited so organizers ask that those looking to participate register early.
