By Taryn McIntosh
The 13th Annual Art on the Street will be held on Saturday, July 11 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Join us on Quebec Street as Downtown Guelph comes alive with music, colour, art and fine craft!
Co-organized by the Guelph Arts Council the Downtown Guelph Business Association, Art on the Street is a highly regarded exhibition and sale that has become a staple event for art lovers of all ages. It is Guelph’s largest outdoor juried exhibition, spotlighting the talented and diverse art community in Guelph. Since its inception in 2003, the event has grown in both caliber of artist and scale, welcoming several thousand visitors each year.
Artists will showcase their works in temporary, open-air studios along Quebec Street during the event. Because of the diversity of the local arts community and our artist lineup, just about every medium will be on display: textiles, photography, pottery, watercolours, oils, acrylics, jewelry, metalwork, apparel and more. It is completely free and open to all ages. Come browse the art, shop, and experience our beautiful city!
The Children’s Art Festival
While the exhibition floods Quebec Street, kids of all ages are invited to join the fun at The Children’s Arts Festival collective in St. George’s Square! The festival will inspire creativity with a full day of interactive programs, all set within a space designed with your child’s inner artist in mind. The festival aims to enable children to discover, enjoy and celebrate the arts – as audience, learners and creators of their own art. Kids will be completely immersed, whether it is in music, performance or paint!
The Play with Clay craft bus will be on site, as will the Guelph Public Library, Guelph School of Art, and Suzuki String School of Guelph, each offering an engaging activity for your family to enjoy. From the stage in the main square we will see all sorts of entertainment provided by the Children’s Art Factory. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Kids will be invited to sing their hearts out performing on the elaborately decorated stage, and use their imaginations to play dress up and do their own face painting. Programming and activities will run from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on July 11 right next to Art on the Street in St. George’s Square.
Art in the Shops
As a preview to Art on the Street, the Downtown Guelph Business Association has paired a variety of participating artists and venues together for Art in the Shops, which will run the week leading up to Art on the Street, July 6th– 11th. By marrying businesses with artists, Art in the Shops creates a superb opportunity for local artists to display some of their work in the week leading up to the outdoor event. Take time to visit the beautiful streets, shops, and eateries of Downtown Guelph and enjoy a sneak peak of our rich cultural community.
Other Events during Art on the Street
Quebec Street Offers
Don’t forget to visit the businesses on Quebec Street to take advantage of their special Art on the Street offers. Participating businesses include: All Strung Out, Bag It, Creative Edge, On the Verge, The Bookshelf and many more. A full listing can be found in the Art on the Street brochure (linked on our website).
Art Gallery of Guelph Ice Cream Cart
Keep an eye out for the ice cream push cart, brought to you by the folks at the newly renamed Art Gallery of Guelph.
Art Around Town
Visitors are also invited to attend these other great creative events happening in Downtown Guelph on July 11:
Renann Isaacs Contemporary Art – 31 Quebec Street – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. – A group show featuring the work of two mid-career artists Cora Cluett and Alec Livingston, alongside the work of two emerging artists Max Wright and Emily Schaefer.
Royal City Church – 50 Quebec Street – 10 a.m. 5 p.m. – Presenting The Art Within, featuring amateur artists, local musicians, and refreshments.
Old Quebec Street Shops – 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – The Guelph Horticultural Annual Flower Show is a juried event open for viewing in the concourse of the Old Quebec Street Mall.
Red Brick Café – 8 Douglas Street – 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. – There Won’t Be Cows in This Show – artist Ivano Stocco will be meeting and greeting attendees to his new exhibit at the Red Brick Café.
40 Baker Street – 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. – Displaying and selling art by Gallery artists, Saturday and Sunday.
See you on July 11!
