A postponed event to showcase representational art in Ontario has been well-received in Lambton County.
Lambton Heritage Museum will host the final weekend of the Paint Ontario Art Show & Sale in partnership with the Grand Bend Art Centre (GBAC), which is a registered not-for-profit community group. The exhibit opened to the public on September 3 and will remain open until September 26.
The 25th anniversary show was scheduled to go ahead this past spring but was postponed due to public health restrictions.
"We're just so grateful that we've been able to present Paint Ontario and appreciate all of this great art," said Museum Curator and Supervisor Dana Thorne.
Paint Ontario allows emerging artists to showcase their work in an event that features hundreds of paintings. Also, sculptures will be featured for the first time this year.
"We're so excited to have so many visitors coming back to the museum to see Paint Ontario," said Thorne. "Everyone can't stop talking about how beautiful the show looks this year. It's been wonderful."
Thorne said GBAC has sold over $65,000 in art so far. Funds raised will go back into cultural development in the community.
Artist demonstrations this weekend will run from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. As an added bonus, there will be live outdoor music on Sunday from 12 p.m. until 3 p.m.
"We wanted to enhance people's experience while they're at the museum and have a little something different," said Thorne.
Participating artists will also take part in a "Perch N' Paint" contest this weekend.
"Artists are encouraged to go all around different locations in Lambton Shores and make a plein air creation and then those items will be brought to the Heritage Museum."
Plein air paintings will need to be submitted for judging by noon on Sunday, Sept. 26, and a winner will be announced at 1 p.m. The paintings will be put on display for attendees to purchase.
Admission to the Paint Ontario exhibit is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $3 for kids.
Attendees are encouraged to book a time through lambtonmuseums.ca. Walk-in entries will be allowed depending on capacity limits.
