What’s on at the Festival: Visual Art

Discover another series of events for you, your friends and family to enjoy at the Northumberland Festival of the Arts, September 16 – October 2, 2022, taking place in Northumberland County’s picturesque towns and beautiful countryside.

​I take those feelings of the place I am at, and make paintings that will make YOU remember who you are and why you are here. – Jennifer Trefiak, Painter

NFOTA believes in collaborating with artists and arts organizations that already do a wonderful job of showcasing the vibrant art scene in Northumberland. During the 16 days of the festival, galleries, clubs and others around the county have stepped up as Artistic Partners to provide special visual art and photography programming for the festival.

Sponsor – Art Gallery of Northumberland

Beginning right on opening night, September 16, The Art Gallery of Northumberland will invite guests of the opening ceremonies to visit an exhibition titled Ambient Landscapes with the themes of “Breath. Heart. Spirit.” This exhibition, celebrating the 150th Anniversary of the Ontario Society of Artists, will run the duration of the festival and will include about 40 artworks featured in the main gallery of the AGN. As well, the AGN is mounting a special NFOTA Augmented Art Exhibit. Be prepared for some interactive surprises in this exhibit that takes its cue from the NFOTA vision.

Sponsor – Colborne Art Gallery

The Colborne Art Gallery presents its 9th Annual Open Juried Show with original works in all visual art forms: painting, drawing, mixed media, photography, printmaking, sculpture, fibre, glass, fine jewellery, ceramics, metal, woodwork and digital media chosen by Juror Carlyn Moulton of OENO Gallery in Bloomfield.


Create Your Own Art

Encaustic Painting

CAG is sponsoring two art workshops on September 20. If you are keen to try your hand at visual art, CAG will also hold two workshops suitable for first-time painters or seasoned artists alike. “Wonderful Wax” introduces you to encaustic painting! When the paint, made of beeswax, damar resin and pigment, is applied on a heated surface, unexpected and glorious things happen. Encaustic is an adventure where colour and texture yield unique effects. Join artist Heather Roy and take away a beautiful circular painting that needs no drying time. 


Sponsor – Oak Heights Gallery
Image by renemilone from Pixabay

Another opportunity to participate in creating art is being offered at Oak Heights Gallery in Warkworth on September 23.  Nestled among the vineyards, join multi-genre artist Ixchel Suarez for “Fall Inspiration”, an afternoon of painting, a fun and creative way to socialize and create a wonderful acrylic painting inspired by the Fall. No experience necessary. Our instructors will guide you step by step, and you will take home a piece of Art!


Or perhaps you’d like to try your hand at fibre arts? September 19 & 20, Colborne Library will also host a 2-day exhibit of handmade quilts by the Salem Valley Quilters – “Covers for Comfort – Sewing for the Community. In the last 10 years this community-minded group have made over 1000 items that have been given to Women’s Shelters, North Bay Hospital Children’s Ward, Meals on Wheels, Veteran’s Quilts, Bridge Hospice, and others in need. On Sept 20, you can be part of their newest project for local charities. All equipment and materials supplied. No experience necessary. 


Art on the Road

Spirit of the Hills Art Association

At the Warkworth Library throughout the festival during Library Hours, visit the “Foot by Foot Show and Sale”. This fun show put on by the artists of the Spirit of the Hills Arts Association features all original works measuring 1 square foot and includes photography, painting, drawing, textiles, glass, collage, mixed media, and low relief modelling. And they are all for sale for just $125 each!

On Friday, Sept 23, consider doing the Warkworth Gallery Hop, and take in not just the Foot by Foot show at the library, but also the exhibit at Oak Heights Gallery and the paintings and sculptures at the Periphery Gallery. After enjoying the stimulating tour, stay at the Periphery from 4pm to 5pm for a free live musical interlude.

On Sept 24 & 25, discover the art in Northumberland’s undiscovered East. On the Apple Route Studio Tour, 27 artists in 22 locations open their studios to you. Chat with the artists, explore their creative spaces, make a surprising find, purchase original, one-of-a-kind art. With studios located from Grafton east to Brighton and from Lakeport north to Hastings, art meets nature as you relax into the beauty of an autumn drive. Along the shore of Lake Ontario, through laden orchards, ripened fields and rolling hills – the variety of both the landscape and the art will astound you. Find out more about the artists participating here

On Sept 29 and Oct 1, Koren Smoke and local Indigenous artists and artisans from Alderville First Nation host an exhibit and sale of paintings, crafts, beading, and jewellery at AV Ink & Art. Enjoy chatting with the artists and purchase something beautiful for yourself or someone you love.

If you like photography, visit area libraries to see a slide show of The Northumberland Photography Club’s work or visit the offices of Edward Jones in Cobourg to see the original photographs on display.


Come to the Festival

Get more details or view the entire festival event schedule and purchase tickets here :

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Northumberland Festival of the Arts is a volunteer-run not-for-profit arts organization. To volunteer for NFOTA, please contact info@festivalofthearts.ca

2 Comments Add yours

  1. Jennifer Trefiak says:

    Nice article. I’m really looking forward to the festival. Could you do a correction on my name please? It’s “Trefiak” tnks!

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