The Prince Edward County Arts Council

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The Prince Edward County Arts Council

Our mission is to enrich the community by actively supporting and promoting the arts and artists as an essential part of life in Prince Edward County.

Celebrating 40 years in 2026. We work to fulfill our mission by:
-Connecting artists to audiences through our signature events and programs, including Art in the County, PEC Arts Trail, PEC Studio Tour, and The Maker’s Hand;
-Promoting the arts and artists through Artscene newsletter, Artscene on Air radio show, What’s On event listing, and Member Profiles on countyarts.ca;
-Supporting artists’ career development through our Artist Fund grants, Indigenous Voices Fund, and Student Arts Award, and by creating teaching and workshop facilitation opportunities at the County Arts Lab;
-Increasing access to the social and health benefits of arts participation through our community-focused programming – County Arts Lab, Art Together, Artists in the Community, and more;
-Incubating new arts events and initiatives, from the PEC Jazz Festival to County Kids Read and more, as they work towards independent charitable status; and
-Working collaboratively with those who share a common interest in leveraging the arts for the economic and social development of Prince Edward County. County Arts will delete or hide from public view comments/content appearing on our social media posts that contain any of the following, and reserves the right to ban the commenter from County Arts pages:
-Hate speech
-Profanity, obscenity or vulgarity
-Defamation of a person or people
-Name calling and/or personal attacks
-Comments from non-members whose main purpose is to sell a product
-Comments that infringe on copyrights
-Spam comments, such as the same comment posted repeatedly
-Any comments or images that County Arts deems inappropriate and/or that contravene community standards, our values, and/or the content of our Inclusivity, Diversity & Equity Policy

County Arts’ engagement with social media accounts does not necessarily reflect the views of the organization.

11/06/2026

On this week's Artscene, co-host Catelyn Thornton talks with two Prince Edward County artists, Susanne Larner and Hri Neil, from The Department of Illumination as they prepare for the upcoming magical Firelight Lantern Festival on Nov. 6th and 7th.

This year mark's this beloved Festival's 14th anniversary! Tune in as Susanne and Hri discuss its cultural impact on community-building in the County.

👉 Listen on 99.3 County FM after the news at noon and 6 pm!

Image Description: In the upper left is text that reads Artscene on 99.3 County FM Friday November 6th, next to the County Arts wordmark in white font on a black background. Below this is a photo of Susanne, Hri and Catelyn in the 99.3 County FM booth. Beside this is the Firelight Lantern Festival graphic, below is the Department of Illumination logo.

11/05/2026

👀 Did you know?

🎨 A convenient monthly glance at upcoming arts happenings and opportunities in Prince Edward County is just a click away - join 2000+ fellow arts lovers in PEC and beyond today by subscribing to our Artscene newsletter at countyarts.ca.

🎭 Check out the November edition at countyarts.ca/latest-edition, with:

▶️ The Maker's Hand Fine Craft Show and Sale, in the County Arts Lab Nov 6-8
▶️ Artist Feature on ceramicist Amy Beaudroit, who will be at The Maker's Hand and will co-lead the upcoming Youth Craft Academy Level II Ceramics course along with Rebecca Heasman this month
▶️ Exhibitions opening at Oeno Gallery (Winter: Fiona Ackerman), the County Arts Lab (The Department of Illumination's 10 x 10 Art Show), and in The Andrew (We Are Rainbows Girls: A Collective Portrait of Strength)
▶️ The Firelight Lantern Festival by The Department of Illumination
▶️ Stephen Stanley & NoElectric w/ Jennifer Foster & Annelise Noronha
▶️ Next to Normal by Shatterbox Theatre
▶️ and so much more!

🎵 And - any day of the month - don’t forget to check out countyarts.ca/whats-on. New arts events and opportunities are added all the time!

11/05/2026

The next exhibition in the County Arts Exhibition Vitrines is ‘Nestings’ by Heather Lindsay.

Join us for the Opening Reception on Friday November 13th, 2026 from 6-8 PM.

On exhibition in the County Arts Exhibition Vitrines, November 13, 2026-January 3, 2027.

County Arts Exhibition Vitrines, outside Unit 2E, 206 Main Street, Picton

Nestings by Heather Lindsay is a collection of abandoned bird nests and poems inspired by them, displayed to highlight the architectural wonder knitted into these intricate woven structures. Poem and nest combine to invite consideration of how fragments; letters, words or grasses and garden debris, assemble to make a new whole.

About the Artist: After working in film and television as a foliage artist, dressing sets, Heather Lindsay studied landscape design and started her own landscaping company in Toronto. Heather retired to Prince Edward County in 2010 and began creating gardens for herself and writing poetry. Heather published her first chapbook, The Altar of Belonging, in 2024. She also has poems in The Sound of My Whole Small Life, published in 2026 by Wintergreen Studio Press. As an active member of the PEC poetry community, Heather operates The Poetry Barn, where she hosts open mic events and summer poetry workshops. Heather studied poetry at the University of Toronto. Currently Heather is working on a poetry collection for her second book.

✨ About the Vitrines: Housed in two custom-made display cases, this new series increases the public visibility of artwork year-round while creating paid opportunities for artists. Located in the Armoury Atrium outside the County Arts Lab, the vitrines feature rotating exhibitions by County artists working across a range of mediums.

This program is made possible thanks to a multi-year donation to the Artist Fund.
Learn more: countyarts.ca/funding

11/04/2026

Join us at The Maker’s Hand this weekend and grab an Art at the Heart of Picton coupon for special discounts at some of Picton Main Street’s favourite spots!

📍 The Maker’s Hand (Nov 6-8) at the County Arts Lab, The Armoury, Picton

🚲 BEACON BIKE + BREW – 20% off
🌼 EARLY GREY – 15% off
🛍 THE ROYAL HOTEL BOUTIQUE – 10% off
👗 KELLY’S – 20% off
🧼 SAVON DU BOIS – 10% off
🍋 ZEST KITCHEN SHOP – 10% off

Just show your coupon at checkout!

👉 Learn more at countyarts.ca/art-at-the-heart-of-picton/

Image descriptions: 1. Art at the Heart of Picton logo with the word "coupon" in yellow. 2. An image of the Beacon's interior, Savon du Bois storefront, and The Royal's boutique in circles with the business logos. 3. An image of Zest Kitchen Shop and Kelly's storefront and an interior shot of Early Grey in circles with the business logos.

10/30/2026

What happens when a family’s world is turned upside down, and love alone isn’t enough to make everything right?

On this week's Artscene, co-host Cheryl Singer is joined by Julie Lane, director of Shatterbox Theatre’s production of Next to Normal — the award-winning rock musical that explores mental health, family, love, and loss.

We’ll talk about the challenges of bringing this powerful story to the stage and why it’s a production that promises to stay with you long after the curtain falls.

👉 Listen on 99.3 County FM after the news at noon and 6 pm!

Image Description: In the upper left is text that reads Artscene on 99.3 County FM Friday October 30th, next to the County Arts wordmark in white font on a black background. Below this is a photo of Julie Lane next to the poster for Next to Normal.

10/29/2026

🧑‍🎨 We are currently seeking course proposals for paid programming for the County Arts Lab Winter session! ❄️

The County Arts Lab hosts multi-week courses for adults, children, and youth, as well as one-off workshops for youth and adults. Courses in all artistic mediums are welcome, including but not limited to visual arts, dance, music, and writing. 🎨💃🎵✍️

The next intake deadline is December 4th 2026, 12pm.

➡ To view the full Call for Instructors and access the Application Form visit countyarts.ca/apply
➡ Please reach out to Sarah Burtscher, Programs Director, at [email protected] with any questions/concerns.

Image Description: A dark teal background with text in the centre that reads Call for Artist Instructors Join the County Arts Lab Team! Next intake deadline: December 4th 2026. Along the top and bottom are images of instructors and students creating at the County Arts Lab.

10/27/2026

🎨 Discover the possibilities of colour! Join artist-instructor Julie Seddon for a six-week acrylic painting course exploring the history, meaning, and expressive potential of colour! 🌈✨

Explore colour in a whole new way as you investigate the unique qualities of individual hues, develop your colour-mixing skills, and discover how colour can transform your artistic expression.

Each week, you’ll focus on a different hue, using black-and-white reference images as a starting point to experiment with colour relationships, mixing possibilities, and creative interpretation. Through guided exercises and hands-on exploration, you’ll learn to use colour more intentionally and confidently in your painting practice.

Whether you’re new to painting or looking to refresh your approach, this course offers an opportunity to expand your palette, experiment with acrylics, and see familiar colours in exciting new ways!

All experience levels are welcome, and all supplies and source materials are provided.

Spots are limited – register today!

➡️ Learn more and register at https://countyarts.regfox.com/about-colour-with-julie-seddon
➡️ Thursdays, November 12 – December 17 (6 weeks)
➡️ 9:30 am – 12:30 pm
➡️ Ages 18+
➡️ Sliding scale pricing available
➡️ The County Arts Lab is conveniently located on the main level of the Picton Armoury building.

acrylicpainting colourtheory paintingworkshop visualarts arteducation colourmixing

Image Description: On the left is a close-up colour photograph of several paintbrushes held in a hand against a vibrant background of red, purple, and white paint. On the right, black text against a cream background reads: About Colour with Julie Seddon, 6 Thursday mornings, Nov 12 – Dec 17, 9:30 am – 12:30 pm, Ages 18+, County Arts Lab. The County Arts logo appears at the top.

10/23/2026

On this week's Artscene, learn all about Youth Craft Academy, a programme delivered by County Arts.

Co-host Sarah Moran chats with Allison Nichol Longtin, Youth Craft Academy Program Lead, and Andrew Phua, instructor for the current YCA course Closet Rework: Wear the Change.

In this discussion you'll learn about why it's such a unique programme, the impact it has on youth aged 12-17, and more about opening up a creative future for young people in the County.

👉 Listen on 99.3 County FM after the news at noon and 6 pm!

Image Description: In the upper left is text that reads Artscene on 99.3 County FM Friday October 23rd, next to the County Arts wordmark in white font on a black background. Below this is a photo of Allison Nichol Longtin (left) and Andrew Phua (right), with the YCA banner below.

10/22/2026

Big news from the Public Art Program: a new request for proposals for the Mary Street Entrance of Delhi Park!

As a way to honour the history, present, and future of Delhi Park, Prince Edward County’s Public Art program which is administered by County Arts, is undertaking a multi-year series of projects that will reside at the park’s entrances. These public art projects will serve to reflect on the rich stories of the land, encourage folks into the park, and celebrate this beloved public space. The overarching theme for all of these projects is Wanderings.

Artists and artist teams working in any medium, with experience creating public artworks, are invited to submit proposals for the first project, sited at the Mary Street entrance to Delhi Park.
What would you make to signal the entrance to a vast greenspace?

👉 Budget: The total project budget awarded for this commission is $25,000 inclusive of all costs.
⏰ Deadline: December 15, 2026 at 5pm

To review the full call guidelines and apply visit the link in our bio.
For questions, reach out to the Public Art Coordinator, Stacey Sproule- [email protected]

Images Description:
Text that reads: Wanderings: Delhi Park Entryway Public Art Request for Proposals, Apply by December 15th at 5pm. The County's logo and County Arts' logo at at the top, in the middle is a look at Delhi Park from the Mary Street Parking lot.

Address

Picton, ON

Telephone

+16134768767

Website

http://www.countyarts.ca/

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