Presenting a Stupendous Selection of Summer Art Events

Presenting a Stupendous Selection of Summer Art Events - theHumm June 2024

CPAWS Fundraising Art Show

The Valley Artisans’ Gallery is honoured to be the premier gallery of choice for the Ottawa Valley chapter of the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS-OV) Fundraising Art Show.

Closing the Gap, Algonquin Park to Dumoine River Fundraising Art Show supports CPAWS-OV efforts at trail building and conservation actions. The opening ceremonies take place on Saturday, June 8 from 10am to 5:30pm on the grounds of the Valley Artisans’ Gallery in Deep River, and the art show will continue in the store until July 7. The Saturday fresh air event will feature live music by Deep River singer-songwriter Marc Audet, artist demonstrations, a food truck, a raffle, and art and crafts for sale in tents.

Members of the Valley Artisans’ Gallery as well as the CPAWS artists will be on hand to discuss their creative processes and the local Ottawa Valley that inspires many of the pieces.

In 2017, artist Aleta Karstad approached John McDonnell of CPAWS-OV with the concept of bringing 15 artists into the wilds for a week of camping, hiking, canoeing and creating artwork, which is then donated to the organization. Aleta calls the annual retreat “a dream come true,” and a chance to communicate to the world the inspiration the artists feel in wild places. Since then, the Art Retreat has become an annual event where artists from all over Ontario and Quebec apply to participate. They camp in tents along the river and can hike, paddle, help restore trails, and create artwork in the inspiring peace and beauty of one of Quebec’s last undammed rivers. Their artwork and related events have raised more than $36,000 in support of wilderness conservation and education in the Ottawa Valley region of Ontario and Quebec.

Their efforts worked, and CPAWS-OV was successful in having 126km of the Dumoine River and some of its watershed declared an Aquatic Reserve area. The next goal is to Close the Gap between Algonquin Park and the Dumoine River Aquatic Reserve. Protecting this 18km area in wilderness would strengthen the Algonquin to Adirondacks Initiative by extending a continentally significant migratory corridor running from New York State, through Eastern Ontario, into the Boreal Forest of Quebec. CPAWS-OV is working to ensure the area remains as it is today — wild and free — so that you may continue to hunt, fish, camp, off-road and snowmobile in the area while giving species the space they need to maintain healthy populations.

For more information, visit cpaws-ov-vo.org or come to the opening tent event and chat with the participating artists and the CPAWS-OV folks. Valley Artisans Co-op Gallery valleyartisans.com is located at 33373 Highway 17 West in Deep River.

Rideau Lakes Studio Tour

The Rideau Lakes Studio Tour is back for its 26th anniversary, and it promises to be a spectacular showcase of the region’s finest artists. Taking place on Canada Day weekend (June 29 and 30), the event will feature more than 21 artists opening their studios to the public, allowing visitors to see how these talented creators work their magic.

To celebrate, they are offering studio visitors a chance to win a $250 gift certificate which can be redeemed from any of the participating artists! Check rideaulakesstudiotour.ca for more information.

The tour will take place throughout the beautiful Rideau Lakes region, providing an opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the area while also discovering some of Canada’s most talented artists. Featuring painters and sculptors, potters, weavers, beaders and carvers, glass workers and more, the tour promises something for everyone, and visitors will be able to meet with the artists, learn about their creative processes, and purchase their work.

But the Studio Tour is more than just a showcase of artistic talent; it’s also a celebration of the vibrant community that makes the Rideau Lakes region so special. As visitors travel from studio to studio they’ll enjoy stunning views of the lakes and countryside, sample local food and drink, and connect with the friendly people who call this area home.

For many of the artists involved in the tour, this is an opportunity to connect with their audience and share their passion for their work. By showcasing their art in their own studios, they are able to create a more intimate and personal experience for visitors, making it an unforgettable event for all involved.

“I look forward to the interaction with people and the opportunity to show them my work in my own studio in the village where I draw much of my inspiration,” says award-winning wildfowl sculptor and painter Ted Stewart of Niska Studios. “It’s a chance to share my creative process and demonstrate some of my carving techniques.”

Whether you’re a seasoned art collector or are simply looking for a fun and inspiring way to celebrate Canada Day weekend, the Rideau Lakes Studio Tour is an event not to be missed. Come discover the beauty and creativity of this vibrant community and join in the celebration of 25 years of artistic excellence.

Rideau Lakes Studio Tour would like to thank The Rideau Lakes Township for their generous grant.Two New Shows at Sivarulrasa Gallery

Sivarulrasa Gallery in Almonte will present two new exhibitions in June. Deborah Arnold: Touchstone, An Invitation will run in Galleries I and II. Deborah Arnold has been sculpting stone in Almonte for over three decades. “Built into its presence, each kind of stone embodies ancient narratives about its formation”, she says. “Touching these stones, working with them, grounds me and brings me closer to their narratives.” A member of the Sculptors Society of Canada, her work has been exhibited in solo and group shows in Ottawa, Almonte, Oshawa and Toronto.

Sherry Park: Portraits, a series of figurative works by artist Sherry Park, will run in Gallery III. “When I paint a portrait I want to get to know the person first, which helps with the final piece,” she explains. “I paint people that I am familiar with or whom I met briefly. It helps to understand the person.” Painting in a naturalistic style, Sherry Park’s portraits offer a glimpse into her subjects’ lives. The artist creates evocative compositions, playing with light and bringing her characters to life against vibrant backdrops. Born in South Korea, Sherry Park’s studio is based in Alton, Ontario. Her works have been shown in exhibitions in Canada and internationally.

Meet artists Deborah Arnold and Sherry Park at the combined Artists Reception on Sunday, June from 2–4pm. For more information, visit sivarulrasa.com .

Cheryl Babineau — An Artist Takes Flight - theHumm June 2024

By Sally Hansen

Art… and Soul

Seven years ago while on holiday in Mexico with her artist husband Richard Gill, Burnstown gallery owner and entrepreneur Cheryl Babineau decided to try her hand at painting bird portraits. She borrowed Richard’s acrylic paints and painted her favourite subject — a pelican in flight.

It was an epiphany, and an artist took flight. Babineau’s portraits of birds reflect her enduring beguilement with them. At her gallery website at

Presenting a Stupendous Selection of Summer Art Events - theHumm June 2024