School Children from 10 to 3
2026-05-11 10:00 - 2026-05-13 14:30 (America/Toronto) | Main Gallery Show Floor, 20 Municipal Dr, Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada
Appreciating Art and Having Fun
The Grand Bend Art Centre is welcoming Grade 2 and 3 classes from seven local schools over three days. Students will rotate through four creative stations:
•explore the main gallery through a scavenger hunt;
•create a terracotta pot to take home and plant seeds – with the Grand Bend Horticultural Society
•celebrate music and dance – with the Backroad Collective
•enjoy a hands-on pottery station where children will make their own pinch pot – supported by the Grand Bend Art Centre – Pottery Studio.
This School Children program has been made possible in part through a grant of the Sunset Community Foundation

Demo Sponsors
2026-05-14 08:00 - 17:00

Jeff Vola
2026-05-14 12:00 - 16:00 | Main Gallery Show Floor, 20 Municipal Dr, Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada
Portrait in Pencil – When Jeff Vola moved to Grand Bend in November, 2021, he had no idea his life would change as dramatically as it has.
Jeff began working with art at age three, with the encouragement of his mother, Beverly – a talented artist in her own right. Having put away the crayons and pencil crayons of youth, his current art medium is graphite pencil. Because it’s always dry, he’s able to stop and start drawing whenever the mood, or life, allows.
Jeff became quite well known for his drawings in Ontario about 40 years ago and displayed his art in over 20 art galleries throughout the GTA. His father, John Vola, was his business manager and best friend. However, when John passed away suddenly in 1985, so did Jeff’s love for artwork. During those long years, everything he created was put away in a drawer. He focused on raising his family and running his sign-writing and manufacturing business in Burlington ON. Formally trained as a sign painter, he remained in the business for over 45 years. For 35 of those years, he successfully designed and manufactured interior and exterior signage for Loblaws.
Then the Covid-19 pandemic ground everything and everyone. Like so many, Jeff was laid off for three weeks to “flatten the curve”. With nothing to do, he got some art supplies to keep himself busy. A portrait he drew of the 1960’s Batman television character, Adam West, received over 15,000 likes on Facebook! This launched his art interest again, starting him back on a road he was always meant to travel. Since January, 2020 he has created over 1500 drawings and commissioned portraits.
Art is now a full-time occupation, and he’s loving every minute of it! Jeff’s inspiration comes from people’s smiles and their tears. It’s his attention to the nuances and small details in his subject’s face which has become the hallmark of his work.
Every artist, no matter where they are on their artist journey, struggles with some aspect of their passion. Jeff says that for him, it’s getting his subject’s eyes just right. After all, the eyes are the windows to the soul, and his drawings bring to light that spark of life so often missing in other artists’ work. In the summer of 2025, he’ll be offering classes at the Community Centre in Grand Bend with Teresa Marie Phillips, also a well-known local artist. In addition, he’s continue to have a strong internet presence with his art commissions of portraits and pets, along with his wonderful depictions of retro television stars.

Cultural Weekend Sponsor
2026-05-15 08:00 - 17:00

Friday Hours - Open Late
2026-05-15 10:00 - 19:00 | Main Gallery Show Floor, 20 Municipal Dr, Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada
Regular Show Hours Starting May 2nd:
Regular Show Tickets – $10 This is a multi-day pass, come to all the events.
Saturday to Thursday, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Friday: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.

Ben Annett -Ben’s Lemonaid
2026-05-15 12:00 - 16:00 | Main Gallery Show Floor, 20 Municipal Dr, Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada
Ben’s Lemonaid is Junk

I’m trying to be as green as possible while still making things, trying to make an example of creative recycling. Under the name Ben’s Lemonaid I create naturalistic sculptures, working with reclaimed and recycled materials. Mostly I use old aluminum siding and eavestroughs, burned out lightbulbs and reclaimed wire. Most pieces are 100% recycled materials other than screws and fasteners, sometimes adhesives and safety related bits when needed. I don’t add any paint.
Demo Description: For my demonstration I’ll be working on a large (4-5’) wall mounted fish sculpture combining a 2nd hand LED light string, reclaimed eavestroughs, reused light fixtures and no paint at all. Imagine a futuristic robot fish that’s been around the pond a few times.
https://www.benslemonaid.com
https://www.instagram.com/benslemonaid/

Culture Weekend Sponsor
2026-05-16 - 2026-05-17

Suzette Terry
2026-05-16 00:00 - 16:00 | Main Gallery Show Floor, 20 Municipal Dr, Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada
Demonstration in Collage
Watch Suzette build and work up a collage using a variety of materials. Focus on application techniques and finishes and the correct mediums for success.
Creating florals and forests with acrylic paint and collage materials: from hand painted papers, cut up old paintings, Japanese papers, and stamped images made from linocuts and found materials. Be prepared to be creative!
Bio: Suzette is a very busy artist in the South Central Ontario art scene. She graduated from the University of Guelph in 1990 with an Honor’s Degree in Fine Art and Business.
Having spent her early years in the picturesque town of Fergus, two in Kitchener, ten in Meaford, she returned to Port Stanley in 2023.
All of these places have left a mark on her work and her scope of expression. Her subjects range from the human figure to vibrant landscapes, her mediums follow suit, ranging from work both in oil and acrylic, to printmaking and mixed media collages. It is this shifting of gears from one medium to the next that spurs Suzette to new and innovative discoveries in both technique and content.
Bold, energetic form and vibrant colour are the mark of her style. She has built on her influences: the colours of the Fauves, the abstraction of Picasso, and the simplicity of Matisse. A trip to Europe with visits to seven major museums and galleries has laid the groundwork for further exciting explorations in her work; including working on large scale canvases. Subject matter ranges from Northern landscapes, to floral still life, abstracts and figurative imagery.
In addition to creating art Suzette has taught many workshops in collage, Paint Jams, and lectures around Central and Southern Ontario, encouraging and inspiring other artists.
She is currently represented by:
Karger Gallery, Elora
Arts on Queen, Beaches, Toronto
Marten Arts, Bayfield
Partial Gallery – Online
Instagram: suzette.terry
www.suzetteterryartist.ca

Mexican Culture
2026-05-16 00:00 - 2026-05-17 16:00 | Venue Grounds, 20 Municipal Dr, Grand Bend, Canada
Main Gallery and on the grounds

International Student Demonstrations in Mexican Culture: Music, Dance & Visual Art
Bienvenidos to the Grand Bend Riviera! Take a trip to the vibrant streets of Mexico at Paint Ontario, complete with music, dance, art and snacks! Our young guest artists from Monterrey Mexico will lead you through exciting experiences sharing their history, culture and connections with Canada.
Camexicanus & Backroad Collective is a non profit organization focused on programs and opportunities for youth in rural Canada and Mexico. We are made up of collective communities and throughout the year we have various exchange opportunities for students to form relationships, learn together and create unique experiences in our communities.
Backroad Collective SW Ontario has been working in the Grand Bend area for 5 years. In partnership with the Grand Bend Art Centre, we offer summer camp and school year programs for kids and youth throughout the region. Check our www.camexicanus.ca or visit us at Paint Ontario for more information about our summer camps.

Janice Cuckovic
2026-05-16 12:00 - 16:00 | Main Gallery Show Floor, 20 Municipal Dr, Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada
The Art of Ukrainian Eggs – Learn the art of creating pysanky – traditional Ukrainian eggs
Janice is a retired educator who spent her career in Windsor, Ontario, where she and her husband Petar, also an educator, raised their two daughters. Upon retirement they moved to Port Franks, where Janice has immersed herself in the creative community.
Janice learned the art of creating pysanky – traditional Ukrainian eggs – in her teens and has taken it up again in earnest over the last two years leading workshops and donating dozens of her creations to help raise funds for Ukraine. She honours her Ukrainian grandparents who emigrated to Canada from the small village of Sosnitza and is very grateful for the opportunity to share this tradition.
“Writing eggs using the traditional method requires patience and skill, but the results are stunning!”

Judy Ross-Mack
2026-05-16 12:00 - 16:00 | Venue Grounds, 20 Municipal Dr, Grand Bend, Canada
Indigenous Story Telling Event
Join us as Indigenous Artist, Judy Ross-Mack, presents her paintings of 8 spirit animals. Stories Written by Red George.
Under the tent a narrative unfolds that transcends time and culture.
Each piece, meticulously crafted with traditional techniques and imbued with ancestral wisdom, offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of indigenous heritage. The vibrant hues speak of a connection to the land and its animals.
We invite visitors to immerse themselves in the stories told through art and become part of this small sanctuary as you are guided on a journey of discovery and connection to a world steeped in tradition and reverence.
Judy Ross Mack, is a Swampy Cree painter and digital artist from the Territory Weenusk First Nations. Judy is a 60s scoop survivor that has been part of the KW Indigenous community since she was 16 years old, currently residing in Waterloo. https://www.judyrossmackart.com/
The Spirit Animal Tent was made possible through a $10,000 grant from the Municipality of Lambton Shores Vibrancy Grant and Cordelio Power in 2024
The Pinedale Motel has generously sponsored this event with lodgings for Judy Ross-Mac and her team.

Alicia Orr - Beadwork
2026-05-16 12:00 - 16:00 | Main Gallery Show Floor, 20 Municipal Dr, Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada
Alicia Orr of Alicia’s Beadworks will be demonstrating the art of handmade Indigenous beadwork, showcasing a variety of traditional and contemporary techniques. Throughout the demonstration, she will be creating fringe earrings, working on a beaded medallion, flat stitch earrings, and a tubular peyote stitch lanyard.

Visitors will have the opportunity to observe the step-by-step process, learn about materials and techniques, and explore the meaning behind color choices and patterns. Alicia will also have a binder of previously completed custom work available to view, highlighting her specialty in custom-designed beadwork.

This demonstration highlights both the cultural significance and modern creativity of beadwork, with finished pieces and works in progress available to view and purchase at the Art Centre Shoppe.

.http://aliciasbeadworks.ca

Layne Van Loo & Elaine Guitar Van Loo
2026-05-17 12:00 - 16:00 | Main Gallery Show Floor, 20 Municipal Dr, Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada
Still Life Demo
Elaine and Layne will be demonstrating the art of drawing a still life, demystifying the complexity of still life setting with methods of sight, size and proportional measurement. For the curious and adventurous observers, a few supplies will be available so participants can also try their hand at still life drawing. There will be easels available if you want to join in.
Bio: Elaine and Layne discovered Paint Ontario in 2018 as exhibitors and were so impressed with the entire experience that they have returned every year since as both exhibitors and demonstrators. Among other accolades won at Paint Ontario, Layne’s acrylic won 2019’s Wildlife Choice Award and Elaine won First Place in our portrait category another year. We are so honoured to have these two artists as an integral part of our show year after year. They both impress gallery audiences with their demonstrations.
Learn more about the work of these two talented artists:
View Elaine’s portfolio here. View Layne’s portfolio here.

Judy Ross Mac
2026-05-17 12:00 - 16:00 | Venue Grounds, 20 Municipal Dr, Grand Bend, Canada
Spirit Animal Tent – Through a generous $10,000 grant from the Municipality of Lambton Shores Vibrancy Grant and Cordelio Power, the Grand Bend Art Centre is bringing to Paint Ontario an Indigenous Story Telling Event.
Join us as Indigenous Artist, Judy Ross-Mack, presents her paintings of 8 spirit animals. Stories Written by Red George.
Under the tent a narrative unfolds that transcends time and culture.
Each piece, meticulously crafted with traditional techniques and imbued with ancestral wisdom, offers a glimpse into the rich tapestry of indigenous heritage. The vibrant hues speak of a connection to the land and its animals.
We invite visitors to immerse themselves in the stories told through art and become part of this small sanctuary as you are guided on a journey of discovery and connection to a world steeped in tradition and reverence.
Judy Ross Mack, is a Swampy Cree painter and digital artist from the Territory Weenusk First Nations. Judy is a 60s scoop survivor that has been part of the KW Indigenous community since she was 16 years old, currently residing in Waterloo.
https://www.judyrossmackart.com/

Alicia Orr - Beadwork
2026-05-17 12:00 - 16:00 | Main Gallery Show Floor, 20 Municipal Dr, Grand Bend, Ontario, Canada
Alicia of Alicia’s Beadworks will be demonstrating the art of handmade Indigenous beadwork, showcasing a variety of traditional and contemporary techniques. Throughout the demonstration, she will be creating fringe earrings, working on a beaded medallion, flat stitch earrings, and a tubular peyote stitch lanyard.

Visitors will have the opportunity to observe the step-by-step process, learn about materials and techniques, and explore the meaning behind color choices and patterns. Alicia will also have a binder of previously completed custom work available to view, highlighting her specialty in custom-designed beadwork.

This demonstration highlights both the cultural significance and modern creativity of beadwork, with finished pieces and works in progress available to view and purchase at the Art Centre Shoppe.
http://aliciasbeadworks.ca
