“Inspiring Creativity in the Community“
The Grand Bend Art Centre, a registered not-for-profit organization, is coordinator and promotor of Paint Ontario. The event is made possible thanks to the GBAC’s team of dedicated and enthusiastic volunteers who bring the show to fruition through every stage of production leading up to the Opening Gala, and throughout the show.
Paint Ontario has been reimagined and transformed for 2024, the 27th edition of this important and eagerly anticipated cultural event. Long established as Ontario’s foremost show and sale for representational painters, this three-week Grand Bend based event attracts artists and art appreciators from all parts of the province and beyond.
Paint Ontario 2024 is staged in a new home at the Grand Bend Legion Community Hall, right in the heart of Grand Bend. With custom designed lighting and display walls, the Legion facility is transformed into a stunning gallery for over 200 juried paintings, selected from as many as 700 competition entries and resulting in a truly prestigious event.
Not only does Paint Ontario give artists the opportunity to sell their works, the monies raised in commissions go straight back into cultural activities within the community. The GBAC provides, among many others things, a music program to local schools, a community pottery facility, kids summer camps and grants to arts boosters in the community.
The 2021 show marked the 25th anniversary of Paint Ontario
In commemoration, a pottery display was developed to engage local youth, seniors, organizations and the entire community. This was done right through Covid.
Visit our website to see the pottery art exhibit and more of the Grand Bend Art Centre’s great initiatives.
Teresa Marie Founder of the Grand Bend Art Centre and Curator of Paint Ontario
Artist Teresa Marie Phillips founded the Grand Bend Art Centre in 2008 and, with the addition of a Board of Directors, incorporation, and charitable tax status, became its Executive Director. She is an original member of the River Road Gallery which was founded in 1996 as an artists’ co-op and continued until 2011, when Teresa took over the gallery as sole proprietor and curator. In 2015 she ended her role as gallery owner. Through the GBAC, Teresa devotes time and enthusiasm to bringing a variety of accessible arts to the Greater Grand Bend community.
GBAC Board
Kelli Phillips 
Peter Phillips 
Joanne Janzen
Also:
Lynn Douglas
Jim Quenneville
Paul Rivard
Catherine Melito
Barb Pickett
Deb Patterson