Generations of artists, art lovers and performers come together every summer on the grounds of The Muse – Lake of the Woods Museum and Douglas Family Art Centre in downtown Kenora to celebrate our rich and diverse arts community!
The two-day festival runs rain or shine under tents from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and features a wide array of artists from every discipline, live performances, and our lively Kid Zone, which provides non-stop accessible arts exploration, facepainting and fun!
Admission is free but donations are gratefully accepted to help LOWAC continue to bring this kind of quality programming to the community.
Special thanks to Upriver Media for these video highlights of ArtsFest of the past! youtube.com/watch?v=pspMyOLNU1Q and youtube.com/watch?v=oihCutGNeM8.
You can watch the full six minute video at here.
Volunteers needed
We need volunteers to join our planning committee to help make ArtsFest the best it can be!
Volunteers are needed for programming, volunteer coordination, site setup/takedown/logistics, and fundraising. It’s a fun gig and an opportunity to be part of bringing a great family and tourist-friendly event in downtown Kenora during our beautiful summer.
This is just a few of our volunteers. There were many more. Thanks to everyone!
Opening ceremony
ArtsFest opens with traditional Indigenous drumming and a prayers by an Elder, acknowledging that the event is taking place on on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, territory covered by Treaty #3, signed in 1873, and the Treaty Adhesion signed by the Métis in 1875. Special thanks to Elders George Land and Cathy Lindsay for conducting the Opening prayer this year.
ArtsFest 2024 delivered on its promise of arts for all ages!
The site was packed with 18+ exhibiting artists and five mainstage performances each day.
MAIN STAGE
Mainstage performers included harpist Olivia Whiddon, Sunset Swing Band, children’s performer Peter Welch, jazz singer Lexie Alcock, rapper Malcolm Roulette (Geronimo) and Cole Zabloski and Jason Bowes.
The Nish Deva fashion show, featuring traditional regalia and fashion by local artists Evelyn Finlayson is always a special part of the day and this year, particularly moving as it honoured Every Child Matters and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.
EXHIBITORS
Natasha Allen Pyrography (wood burning)
Aimee Baldwin Pottery
Jena Brisson Beadwork
RC Burns Music
Erin Briska Painting
Esme Boone Painting, Artwork
Leanda Cheverfils Pottery
Kiefer Floreal Pottery
Evelyn Finlayson Painting/Beading/Sewing
Heather Gropp Glasswork
Rudy Gruenke Pointillism (ink drawings)
Kenora Arts Hub
Kenora Scottish Pipes & Drums
Alicia Kejick Painting
Kenora Moving Forward Multidisciplinary/Community group
Carolyne Lynch Painting
Aaron Maier Painting
Irene McCauig Painting
Minowan Merrick
Joy Parsons
Trish O’Sullivan Painting
Frederick Ross Painting
Shannon Stack-Lucas Jewelry
Tersoo Tsevende Painting
Anders Whiting-Alvestad Jewelry & Painting
Herminia Zavala Digital drawing (digital artist)
Rose Wiley Painting
Workshops
Potter extradinaire Keifer Floreal wowed participants in a “Glaze your own one-of-a-kind piece” workshop during the festival.
Cups being used in workshop may not be as shown.
KidZone
KidZone is always busy with free time and guided activities during both days of the festival. Enormous thanks to the wonderful Susan Bulman who ran her popular watercolour demonstrations all day Saturday, Kristen Boucha for leading the ever-popular flower crown creations and all of our KidZone facepainters and volunteers! While all activities in KidZone are free, donations to help LOWAC continue to offer this kind of great programming were appreciated!
Our host
Kaddie Vaughan was our host for both days and brought their humour, heart and lively personality to the event. Thanks Kaddie!
Sponsors welcome!
Local sponsors strengthen the foundation of ArtsFest. If you or your business are interested in becoming part of this great local summer event email lowaccoordinator@gmail.com.
Summer events coordinator
Sydney McInnis was the Event Coordinator for summer 2024. Sydney did an exceptional job staying the course and bringing together all the details for another successful ArtsFest! This included managing expectations for our exhibitors and performers, community partners, funders, LOWAC Board and of course our event attendees! All this, as she is a busy mom and planning her wedding in August!
Sydney, who was born and raised in Kenora. She has a journalism and broadcasting background and currently works in communications for a large local organization. In her free time, you can usually find Sydney at home with her partner, baby, and dog. Sydney loves to cook and spend time with her family, and when she is not busy with work or life, loves to work with any sort of artistic medium she can get her hands on – especially oil paints, painting realistic oil portraits. She is looking forward to meeting everyone this summer!
MPP Greg Rickford met with LOWAC Board Members Stephanie Chale, Helena Devins and Leanne Fournier at The Muse to announce the $13,000 grant from Ontario Arts Council.
Special thanks to our funders and partners – we couldn’t do it without you!
We are also grateful for our community partners
Special thanks to our volunteer t-shirt co-sponsor:
Also sincere appreciation to our other community partners who donated toward our GreenRoom and helped in other ways: Tracy’s No Frills, World of Water Kenora, Kenora Safeway, and Wake Marketing.