Join us on Wednesday, June 21 to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day (NIPD) in Huntsville!

There will be live Indigenous music, education, storytelling, arts and crafts market vendors, and the Sacred Strength: Indigenous Ribbon Skirts exhibit. This celebration is free and will take place in River Mill Park starting at 4:00 pm and continues into the evening. NIPD is a special day to learn about the unique heritage, diverse cultures, rich traditions and important contributions of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples in our community.

4:00 pm – Vendor Market

Come and see a diverse group of artisans and educational exhibitors. You’ll have the chance to buy local Indigenous arts, crafts, and other products while learning about cultural heritage and unique artistic techniques. This vendor market is a way for the community to support Indigenous entrepreneurs and learn more about their traditions.

4:00 pm – Sacred Strength: Indigenous Ribbon Skirts exhibit presented by Hope Arises Project Inc.

Visit the Huntsville Festival of the Arts Studio (58 Main St. E) to see a display of ribbon skirts presented by Hope Arises Project Inc., an Indigenous-led not-for-profit organization in Huntsville. Ribbon skirts are a symbol of identity, strength, and protection. Today, ribbon skirts are worn to signify dignity, respect, and honours the many Indigenous women who have gone through pain and suffering in the past. Following National Indigenous Peoples Day, the display will move to the Canada Summit Centre from July through to October as part of the Indigenous Story Skirts Art & Culture Exhibit.

Live Entertainment

5:00 pm – R&B singer-songwriter Sebastian Gaskin will open the live entertainment for the evening on the stage at River Mill Park. Gaskin grew up in Tataskweyak Cree Nation and has since gone on to win the 2021 Western Canadian Music Award for R&B Artist of the Year, the 2021 Kevin Walters Songwriting Award, and headlined a cross-Canada club tour. Gaskin’s music is influenced by their tastes in R&B, Hip Hop, Metal, and Punk.

6:30 pm – JUNO award-nominated Shawnee Kish will perform at the River Mill Park stage. Shawnee is a proud Two Spirit Mohawk who has shared the stage with some of the world’s biggest names – Lady Gaga, Madonna and Alicia Keys to name a few. Shawnee has been influenced by strong, confident female performers and works to empower youth, providing strength and hope through music. Her deeply personal and always poignant lyrics are rooted in healing, and allowing both herself and her listeners to find purpose and reason in the stories she tells.

As this is an outdoor event, please bring a picnic blanket or chair for the live music. A water refill station is being provided so be sure to bring a refillable water container.

In the event of a heavy rain forecast, the event will relocate to the Algonquin Theatre, and details will be posted on the Town of Huntsville news and social media channels. For more information on Huntsville’s National Indigenous Peoples Day event schedule, directions or public parking, please visit Huntsville.ca.

This community celebration has been organized through a special collaboration between the Town of Huntsville, Huntsville Festival of the Arts, Hope Arises Project Inc., and Huntsville Public Library

ATTENTION! DUE TO SCHEDULING CONFLICTS, MOVIE ON THE DOCKS HAS BEEN POSTPONED TO AUGUST 19, 2023 AT 9PM

A BOAT-IN MOVIE EXPERIENCE!

Join us for a one-of a kind movie experience! A classic film will be shown on a double-sided screen, and audiences can either watch from the water or on shore.Bring your own chair, sleeping bag or floating device and settle in for a free film under the stars.

 

EVENT RUNS RAIN OR SHINE. LIVE AUCTION AT 4PM.

AN OPEN AIR MARKET FEATURING LOCAL ARTISTS AND LIVE PAINTING!

Art Lovers rejoice! The Huntsville Festival of the Arts (HfA) is pleased to present the first annual The En Plein Air Art Market on June 24th from 10am-4pm at River Mill Park in Downtown Huntsville.

The En Plein Air Art Market, sponsored by Hear Well, Be Well, consists of a day-long art market featuring local artists, live outdoor painting, and music. 19 local artists & vendors will have their work on display and available for purchase. From paintings, to jewelry, to home décor, there is something for all tastes and budgets.

Canvas Brewery will also be on site serving up cold drinks along with the Huntsville Strikers U11 girls team offering a menu of savory bbq items. Local musician Jack Gaughan, along with some incredible musicians, will provide a live soundtrack of jazz and blues throughout the day.

The market also marks the return of the popular En Plein Air painting event. The event originally run by Kelly Holinshead of the Shutterbug Gallery, invites artists and area dignitaries to grab an easel and some paint before choosing an outdoor location downtown to inspire their creations. A few hours later, participants have to put down their brushes. The paintings are then given a bit of drying time before they are auctioned off to the public at 4pm, with proceeds going towards the Kareen Burn Visual Arts Scholarship supporting a local student studying visual arts-related studies in a post-secondary institution or program.

 

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS:

Janine Marson – True Colours Art & Design – Painting
Kristen Murray – Pearl & Sparrow Jewellery – Jewellery
Allen Markle – Catajjen Boxes and Boards – Wood
Jeanette Hay – MuskokaArtRocks.com – Painting
Danielle Loshaw – Painting, Drawing, Photography, Printmaking, Sculpture
Brenda Turnour  – Painting, Cards, Mugs & Prints
Sharon McKenzie – Painting
Jacqueline Hope Raynor – Encaustic Painting
Catherine Luce – Mystical Woods Studio – Painting, Cards, Prints, Home Decor
Lauren Todd – Wildlife Photography
Jen Vander Doelen – VANDVINTAGE – Handcrafted Vintage Wool Pillows
JF Kuehnen – Malpractice Press – Painting
Elise Muller – Stone Tree Studio – Sculpture/Printmaking/Jewellery
Helena Renwick – Painting
Wendy Cho – Once Upon a Design
Tom Clark – Painting
Red Pine Art Supply with Sam Sullivan – Interactive Painting
Dawn Huddlestone – Birchnotes Creative – Cyanotype
Pam Carnochan – Fibre/Wool Painting

Live Music by Jack Gaughan & Friends
Cold Alcoholic & Non-Alcoholic drinks by Canvas Brewery
BBQ Food Vendor: The Huntsville Strikers U11 Girls Team

 

THANK YOU TO OUR THE SPONSOR OF THE EN PLEIN AIR ART MARKET HEAR WELL, BE WELL.

ENGAGE WITH THE ARTISTS WHILE YOU WATCH THE BEAUTIFUL PAINTINGS BEING CREATED!

Artist Gerry Lantaigne will lead a group of local artists in the creation of 7 more canoe murals featuring the work of famous Canadian artists Tom Thomson and members of the Group of Seven. Artists will paint the canoes “en plein air” during a week-long event in Downtown Huntsville’s River Mill Park. Once completed, these canoes will be displayed in Downtown Huntsville as part of the Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery Tour.

This year’s participating artists are:
Samantha Collette
Leonardo Guilherme
Steph Schofield
Joyce Jonathan Crone
Kali Stadtke
Taylor Ray Luecke
Melissa Pole

Artists will be working in River Mill Park June 12-17, between 10am-6pm.

 

A FREE SELF-GUIDED ART TOUR IN AND AROUND DOWNTOWN HUNTSVILLE.
NEW THIS YEAR: AN OUTDOOR ART MARKET AND AUCTION ON JUNE 24

This year’s event has grown featuring over 70 local artists, 33 different venues, and a number of special events. See the full list of participants at huntsvilleartcrawl.ca.

Visitors are encouraged pick up a map from any downtown business (or download from the huntsvilleartcrawl.ca) and create their own ART CRAWL experience by touring local businesses, galleries, and studios, which will feature exhibits, demos, and interactive experiences by local artists. Artwork will be available for participants to purchase during the event. Proceeds will go to participating artists, with a portion of sale directly supporting the business the art is featured in. Get your map stamped at five venues, and you’ll be entered into a draw for a fabulous prize package. The first 30 visitors will automatically receive $25 Dollars that can be spent in business downtown.

This year’s ART CRAWL includes a number of special events:

EN PLEIN AIR ART MARKET | June 24 | 10am-6pm | River Mill Park
AN OPEN AIR MARKET FEATURING LOCAL ARTISTS AND LIVE PAINTING!
This new event consists of a day-long art market featuring local artists along with live outdoor painting and music. A maximum of 20 local vendors will display and sell their art throughout the park. The market also marks the return of the popular En Plein Air painting event. The event originally run by Kelly Holinshead of the Shutterbug Gallery, invites artists and area dignitaries to grab an easel and some paint before choosing an outdoor location downtown to inspire their creations. A few hours later, participants have to put down their brushes. The paintings are then given a bit of drying time before they are auctioned off to the public at 4pm, with proceeds going towards the Kareen Burn Visual Arts Scholarship supporting a local student studying visual arts related studies in a post secondary institution or program.

TOM THOMSON CANOE MURALS | JUNE 12-17 | River Mill Park

Artist Gerry Lantaigne will lead a group of local artists in the creation of canoe murals featuring the work the Tom Thomson. Now in its fourth year, artists will paint the canoes “en plein air” during a week-long event in Downtown Huntsville’s River Mill Park. Artists to be confirmed. Engage with the artists while you watch the beautiful paintings being created! Once completed, these canoes will be displayed in Downtown Huntsville as part of the Group of Seven Outdoor Gallery Tour and eventually included in the Algonquin Outfitters Paddle Art Auction.

WEDNESDAY WALKABOUTS | June 7, 14 & 28 | 5pm
An organized group walk every Wednesday in June in Downtown Huntsville to explore and enjoy the Huntsville Art Crawl. At 5pm, individuals will gather at the HfA Studio located at 58 Main St. (entrance across from River Mill Park) before beginning a tour of various stops on the Huntsville Art Crawl and ending at a local restaurant or bar for drinks and appetizers. There will be lots of fun surprises along the way including visits from participating artists, prizes, music and more. Anyone interested in joining the walks can register online at huntsvilleartcrawl.ca or call 705-788-2787.

SATURDAY DEMOS | June 3 & 10 | 1pm-4pm *subject to change
Join artists in the moment as they paint and create ‘en plein air’. Demos will take place in different downtown locations for the first two Saturdays in June from 1pm-4pm.

 

The Huntsville Festival of the Arts (HfA) presents the 11^th edition of Nuit Blanche North!

SPONSORED BY TD BANK

Nuit Blanche North is back on July 22nd. Now in its 11^th year, the free signature event will once again fill downtown Huntsville with 34 different activities and performances by over 100 local and visiting artists. This year’s programming features incredible sites and performances inspired by the theme “THAT’S WHENEVER EVERYTHING CHANGED”. Discover unique and engaging installations, interactive art, film, sculpture, street theatre, music, or anything else that the notion of connection: the opportunities, approaches and mediums we use to connect with each other and the environment around us.

Please note the following closures:
Main St. will be closed between Centre St. and Brunel Rd. starting at 4pm on July 22, 2023. It will reopen at 4am on July 23rd.
River Mill Parking Lot will be closed starting at 6am on July 22, 2023. It will reopen at 4am on July 23rd.