The Markham Group of Artists (MGA), and the Varley Art Gallery of Markham have come together to create a public celebration of the arts, featuring a Plein Air painting competition for artists and the public. Artists will find inspiration from the local scenery, and create artistic representations reflecting the flavour of the community. Unionville is a welcoming and history rich community which is actively honoring and reviving it’s past by presenting the inaugural Unionville Plein Air Festival. We invite you to walk in the footsteps of Group of Senven member, Fred Varley and enjoy or participate in the the Unionville Plein Air Festival!
Originally plein air work was created in a representational style but today modern techniques and ideas have developed plein air work to include a great variety of mediums and styles such as collage, textile and printmaking and artistic approaches including abstract, expressionism, and surrealism. There is a place for every artist at the plein air festival.
The festival will run from Wednesday June 10th to Sunday June 14th. The public is invited to stroll the streets of Unionville and observe the painters and partake in the many festival related activities. There will be a public show and sale of the artist’s work on Sunday from noon to 5:00PM where you many purchase a piece you saw being painted during the week!
Friday afternoon will feature a Wild Card Event where the public is invited to paint on Main Street and the winning artist, selected by MGA President Linda Kalianteris, will have their painting entered into the official competition.
There will be a Quick Paint Competition on Saturday where artists will have two hours to paint and the winner will be announced at the end of the two hours with a $200 prize will being awarded. The Quick Paint Competition will be open to the public and registered artists. Registered artists will be able to paint throughout the week, participate in the artists Meet and Greet at the Varley Art Gallery and a visit the Artist Preview on Sunday morning. Prises for the best paintings and the honourable mentions will be awarded at the Reveal Gala on Saturday evening at the Varley Art Gallery.
Sponsors and invited guests will be invited to “The Reveal Galla” on Saturday night to see the award ceremony!
