Quinte Arts Council

06/05/2026

We spent some time visiting Ash Murrell and the incredible crew at AMP Visual Media in Belleville, and left feeling inspired.

There’s something energizing about being in a space where creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship all come together. Ash and the team are what we like to call ARTpreneurs—creative professionals who are constantly learning, adapting, evolving, and finding new ways to move forward in a rapidly changing world.

At AMP, they don’t settle for the status quo. As they say, “At AMP we push for different. We’re a collective of digital creators who challenge the overburdened systems that exist in the online world today.” That mindset was evident in every conversation we had.

As an arts council, we love connecting with creative businesses that demonstrate how artistic thinking, technology, and entrepreneurship can work together to build something truly impactful. Thank you to Ash and the entire AMP team for welcoming us and sharing your vision, your work, and your passion.

Keep pushing boundaries. Keep creating. Keep moving up.

Learn more about AMP Visual Media: (https://www.ampvisualmedia.com/)�AMP Visual Media

06/05/2026

Every year tells a story—and 2025 was one worth celebrating.

QAC members - Join us on Thursday, June 11, 2026, at 5:00 PM at the Belleville Club as we gather to reflect on a year filled with creativity, community impact, new partnerships, and opportunities for artists across the Quinte region.

From arts education and accessibility initiatives to exhibitions, publications, advocacy, and community collaborations, this past year demonstrated the power of the arts to connect, inspire, and strengthen our communities.

The evening will feature:
• Highlights from 2025
• Presentation of the Annual Report
• Strategic priorities and future direction
• Recognition of the volunteers, members, artists, staff, Board Directors, funders, sponsors, and community partners who make this work possible
Entertainment by Tony Silvestri Music
Refreshments served.

Together, we are building a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving arts community.

📅 June 11, 2026
🕔 5:00 PM
📍 Belleville The Belleville Club

Join us as we reflect on last year, celebrate and plan for our future!

06/04/2026

June’s Exhibition, “Rainbow: Belonging,” Opening Reception is Tonight!

The Quinte Arts Council, in collaboration with Bay of Quinte PRIDE, would like to invite you to this special exhibition highlighting intergenerational voices, bringing together perspectives from youth, adults, and seniors to explore what belonging means within 2SLGBTQIA+ communities and beyond.

The exhibition includes pieces in a wide range of mediums, including:
Painting, drawing, mixed media, quilts, poetry, and digital painting.

Belonging has a strong intergenerational focus, sharing perspectives from different life stages, whether they are emerging, established, or simply curious to share their voice.

Reception: JUNE 4th, 4:00PM - 6:00PM
Exhibition: JUNE 5th-26th, 10:00AM - 4:00PM (Tues-Fri)

📍Quinte Arts Council Cultural Hub, 36 Bridge St E, Belleville

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06/03/2026

National AccessAbility Week is an important reminder of the value of inclusion, and for us, accessibility is a commitment that guides our work every day.

We were honoured to receive an Accessibility Excellence Award from the City of Belleville in the Customer Service/Information category at this year's Accessibility Excellence Ceremony.

We are deeply grateful for this recognition and for the many people who make this work possible—our community, supporters, partners, funders, and everyone who believes that the arts should be welcoming and accessible to all.

At the Quinte Arts Council, we believe accessibility in the arts isn't just about awareness—it's about action. That is why we are taking meaningful steps forward with our Accessibility pilot project. Together, we are working to build more accessible spaces and inclusive programming for artists and audiences of all abilities.

Thank you to the City of Belleville for this meaningful honour.

Photo credit: Caleb Sayer

06/03/2026

Today’s unveiling of the Community Mural Mosaic was a great success!

The 12 x 24-foot Community Mural Mosaic was officially unveiled this morning at 5 Market Street in downtown Belleville.

This stunning large-scale collaborative installation is made up of individually painted tiles created by people from across Canada, including 150 tiles painted by members of our local community. The artwork is part of the Canada Connects: Nature’s Canvas National Mural project and features a custom mural design by Canadian artist Lewis Lavoie.

Thank you to all of the participants and everyone who attended this special celebration!

We are grateful to artist Lewis Lavoie; Mayor Neil Ellis, Dug Stevenson of the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board; Danielle Hanoman of the Downtown Belleville BIA; representatives for MP Chris Malette and MPP Tyler Allsopp; and Janet Jarrell of the Quinte Arts Council for sharing thoughtful speeches on the importance of arts, culture, and community.

A special thank you to Doug Smith for helping make this project possible. We also thank our valued supporters: the City of Belleville, the Belleville Downtown District BIA, and the Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board.

Thank you as well to Phil Kerr and the team at 2Xtreme Graphics for the sneak peek and their expert printing services, and to the Mural Mosaic team for bringing the installation to life.

We would also like to thank the Quinte Arts Council Board of Directors and staff for their support throughout this project, and Caleb Sayer for capturing the day beautifully through his photography.



Alt text: Photos from a community mural event in Belleville. Crowd stands in front of the completed mural, display their paintings, and interact with one another. Several images show people speaking to the crowd with a microphone. The final image is an aerial view of downtown Belleville, including City Hall, the market, surrounding buildings, a mural, and the waterfront on a sunny day.

06/01/2026

Wanda Elliott: Hooking Memory, Place, and Tradition
By Scott Williams

It was 2015 when Wanda Elliott began rug hooking—or “matting,” as her mother called it. She had just retired from a successful career teaching kindergarten and grade one. “When I went home that summer after retiring, I hooked my first little mat – an 8 x 8 of a house that a friend drew for me – and I’ve been doing it ever since.” Elliott speaks with a light accent, a gentle lilt that is unmistakably Newfoundland—softened, but not dimmed, by her years on the mainland.

We’re speaking in Elliott’s studio—a small, sun-drenched room on the second floor of the century home she shares with her husband Garry and their dog, Mojo. “This is my space, my little nook. I spend a lot of time in here, especially in the winter.” There’s a sense that Elliott’s art offers solace, just as her studio serves as a refuge. “I get lost in it,” she says. “Sometimes I think it keeps me sane.”

Photo credit: Wanda Elliott

At the Quinte Arts Council, we believe in the power of creativity — it energizes our community and brings people together. Every week, our Cultivating Creativity articles champion the visionaries and creative practices that fuel our region’s growth and strengthen our sense of belonging.

Read the full article
https://quinteartscouncil.org/wanda-elliott-hooking-memory-place-and-tradition/

05/29/2026

Today we would like to recognize and celebrate what was built.

For 14 years, Belleville Downtown DocFest - International Documentary Film Festival brought powerful stories, meaningful conversations, and community connection to our region. That impact does not disappear with the closing of a festival. It lives on in the people it inspired, the artists it supported, and the audiences it brought together.

We especially want to recognize Holly Dewar. Your passion, kindness, vision, and extraordinary volunteer commitment helped shape DocFest into something truly remarkable. The countless hours you invested in creating opportunities for documentary storytelling in our community are worthy of recognition and gratitude. Your leadership has left a lasting mark on Belleville's cultural landscape. You stayed the course!

The Quinte Arts Council was proud to support DocFest through the Local Filmmakers Awards, celebrating and encouraging the talented documentary storytellers emerging from our own community. Supporting local artists and helping amplify local voices was an important part of DocFest's legacy.

DocFest's closure is also a powerful reminder. Festivals do not happen by accident. Arts and culture organizations cannot survive on passion alone. If we value vibrant communities, thriving downtowns, tourism, creativity, and connection, we all have a role to play.

This is the moment for our community to step up. Not to stand on the sidelines talking about what has been lost, but to roll up our sleeves, get involved, volunteer, advocate, donate, attend events, and demand sustainable investment in arts and culture. Strong communities are built by people who show up and make things happen year after year.

Thank you, Holly. Thank you to the DocFest Board, volunteers, filmmakers, sponsors, partners, and audiences who made 14 years of impact possible. What you created matters, and your legacy will continue to inspire.

05/28/2026

Join us as we celebrate the unveiling of the QAC Community Mural!

🗓 June 2nd
⏰ 11:00 AM
📍 Meet in Market Square

This incredible mural brings together our community in a powerful and colourful way—and we can’t wait to share it with you.

A special shoutout to Phil Kerr and the team at 2Xtreme Graphics for the sneak peek and their expert local printing work!

Mural participants—don’t forget to bring your painting with you! There will be photo opportunities to capture your contribution as part of this amazing project.

Thank you to Doug Smith for helping make this installation possible, and to our valued supporters: City of Belleville, Belleville Downtown District BIA, and Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board.

Come celebrate with us!

05/27/2026

Tomorrow is the last day to see “Detailed Harmony”

Emebet Belete’s macro photography and Grazynka Shaarani’s Ikebana floral arrangements bring together two complementary artistic practices that reflect a shared appreciation for balance, simplicity, and the quiet beauty of natural forms.

Stop by our Cultural Hub today @ 36 Bridge Street East, Belleville

05/26/2026

Quinte Arts Council Annual General Meeting

Join us on Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 5:00 PM at the Belleville Club for the Quinte Arts Council’s Annual General Meeting.

Never attended the AGM before? Now is the time! Fun prizes available to newcomers!

Celebrate a remarkable year of creativity, collaboration, and community impact as we reflect on the achievements of 2025 and look ahead to the future of arts and culture in our region.

The evening will include:
* Highlights from the past year
* Presentation of the Annual Report
* Organizational updates and strategic direction
* Recognition of our Board, staff, volunteers, members, funders, and community partners

QAC members are welcome to attend and learn more about the Quinte Arts Council's work and impact.

We look forward to celebrating with you. Please register in advance to help us prepare.

https://quinteartscouncil.org/register-for-the-agm/