If you are looking for a great way to enjoy the falls colours while spending quality and memorable time with your family and friends, be sure to participate in this years Fall Colours Studio Tour.

This years Westport and Area Fall Colours Studio Tour is being held again on the Thanksgiving long weekend (October 8-10, 2011) from 10 am to 5 pm daily. Our unique artists welcome you to their studios where you will discover an exciting and eclectic range of juried high quality original work. For more info contact Loretta Moore at 613-273-8347 or at hookedonthelake@kingston.net.

Artemsia welcomes you to an open house on Sept 15, 2011, from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm. We will have demonstrations and displays of the classes and workshops that we will be teaching from Sept. 20 until Oct. 27. Classes will be held from 10 am – noon Tuesdays and Thursdays, and workshops and fun project classes will be held from 1 to 4 pm Tuesdays and Thursdays.

Artemisia is located at 7 Spring Street, Westport, Ontario.

At this OPEN HOUSE you will have an opportunity to try some of these class and workshop elements, see demonstrations and meet the instructors. We hope you will come as there are lots of fun things to learn here at the gallery.

Below is a schedule of demos, and a list of the workshops to be scheduled later. There will be a Make Your Own Kaleidoscope workshop on Sept. 20 and 27, from 1pm to 4pm both days.

Fees for classes: $20.00 per class or any six classes for $100.00 or any 10 classes for $150.00. All 12 painting and drawing classes $175.00.
Fees for workshops: $35.00 per session plus a materials fee according to the workshop chosen.
All fees subject to HST.

Classes
Painting a series of 6 independent classes, Tuesdays from 10 am to noon
Drawing a series of 6 independent classes, Thursdays from 10 am to noon
These classes will be detailed at the Open House, and some hands on will be available.

The first annual Plein Air Art event will take place on October 2, 2011. Registration begins at 8:30 at The Cove (2 Bedford St, Westport). All art must be back at the Cove for judging by 3:30. Cash prizes and a wine and cheese social will conclude the event. There will be a children’s category…and here everybody wins!!! Contact Georgia Ferrell -igeorgiad@gmail.com for more details.

Every year, Doors Open Ontario attracts large crowds across Ontario. From April to October, residents and visitors are invited to discover first-hand Ontario’s hidden heritage treasures, some of which have never been open to the public. On September 17, 2011 the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sites that will be included in this years’ Doors Open Rideau Lakes – Westport include:

Chaffeys Locks Community Hall, 1661 Chaffeys Lock Road, Chaffey’s Lock
Delta United Church, 36 King Street, Delta
Foley Mountain Conservation Area, 105 Perth Road, Westport
Hidden Garden Floral Designs, 7 Drummond Street, Newboro
Hotel Kenney, 59 Kenney Road, Jones Falls
Lockmaster’s House Museum, 1724 Chaffeys Lock Road, Chaffeys Lock
Newboro House Bed and Breakfast, 31 Drummond Street, Newboro
Old Stone Mill, 4 King Street, Delta
Red Brick School, Corner of Church and Halladay Streets, Elgin
Richard Johnson House, 45 King Street, Delta
Rideau District Museum, 29 Bedford Street, Westport
Rideau Lakes Public Library, Newboro Branch, 10 Brock Street, Newboro
Rock Dunder, 72 Stanley Lash Lane, Highway 15, south of Morton
Rothwells’ Stone Cottage Bed & Breakfast, 33 Main Street, Westport
St. Mary’s Anglican Church, 15 Brock Street, Newboro
St. Paul’s Anglican Church, 77 King Street, Delta
Samuel Poole House, 3909 Freeland Road, Portland
Simpson Masonic Lodge, 26 Drummond Street, Newboro
A Victorian Reflection Bed and Breakfast, 16 Church Street, Westport
Westport Spring and Harbour, 1 Spring Street, Westport
Westport Town Hall, 30 Bedford Street, Westport
Wykes Boat Works, 2351 Harlem Road, Harlem

For more information click here. For a complete list of participating sites and local maps phone 613-272-2662 or email: d_haskins@rbsinternet.com.

Come on out to the Lion’s Club Beach for the 65th anniversary and a thank you to the Community Music Event on August 20, 2011.

Free thank you concert with music from Teal-Retro 12:30-2pm,Saggy Bottom (CountryRock) 2-4pm, Magpie 4-7pm (Jazz/Blues/Swing). Canteen at the beach house for the day. Hot dogs, Sausage and Burgers are $1 and Pop is .50 cents. Come out and enjoy the beach and the music!

Readings by Eight Local Poets will knock your socks off at Artemisia in Westport. Join us August 21, 2011 from 2 to 5 pm.

Eric Folsom, Kingston’s first Poet Laureate and we are delighted to have Eric read from his works. He has also read at the Sleepless Goat and Modern Fuel Gallery in Kingston, as well as on the radio for Stuart McLean’s Vinyl Cafe.

T. Anders Carson, Westport’s Renaissance man supreme. Talented poet and advocate for kid’s soccer, we are delighted to have Anders read again.

Audrey Ogilvie Multi talented poet residing in Westport for the last nine years, Audrey has had two volumes published and is hoping to publish again soon.

Tara Kainer a social activist poet from Kingston, reads to us from her recently first published book When I Think of Your Lives.

Jason Heroux also from Kingston, Jason is returning to Artemisia again this year. Jason has published several books of poetry, and has been published internationally.

Elizabeth Greene, has taught English at Queen’s for a number of years, and has been very active in the literary community, especially in the tribute to Bronwen Wallace held in 2008.

Susan Olding, has been widely published in North America, and has received numerous literary awards.

Jeanette Lynes is a writer of both fiction and poetry and we welcome her to Artemisia’s poetry reading this year.

You don’t want to miss this one so come and meet the poets. During the intermission there will be time to meet and chat with the poets. We will serve tea and scones with cream and jam. We do hope you can join us for this delightful and thoughtful afternoon. Weather permiting, we will hold the reading out on the lawn in the tent, and if you can, please bring a chair. Inclement weather and we will meet inside the gallery.

Artemisia is located at 7 Spring Street, Westport, Ontario.

It’s almost August, and we all know what happens on the fourth weekend of August – The Rideau Valley Art Festival. That’s right, mark your calendars on August 26-28, 2011. The Village of Westport will be packed full of visitors and artists as they all head to the Westport Community Centre for this annual event.

By searching out original works of art by well-known and new artists whose work is juried before acceptance, the Board of Directors ensures high-quality work and a showcase of exceptional talent. Artists will be on hand to answer your questions, and a variety of attractions promise something for everyone.

For more information visit the Art Festival’s official website at: www.rideauvalleyartfestival.com

Mark your calendars for this unique and fun fashion show! The Village Boutique in Westport Ontario is hosting a Fall 2011 Fashion Show. The theme is “SIMPLY, YOU!” and comes from their Simply, You Collection.

Attend the fashion show at the Lions Club Beach House located on Mountain Rd. On August 27, 2011 (same weekend as the Art Festival) from 1:00pm – 3:00pm, enjoy great fashion with door prizes AND a grand prize!!!! Special preview by “Kandy” fashions also located in Westport.

Get your tickets early! Telephone 613-273-3471 or visit the Village Boutique and Kandy for ticket and more information. Donations go to local schools music programs. We would appreciated donations at the door or at Village Boutique prior to the show.

Come out to the annual Show & Shine at the Westport Free Methodist Church on July 30, 2011. Held at 85 Bedford Street, Westport Ontario, this is a classic car lovers paradise. Join us for family fun and your favorite vehicles, trucks and tractors.

The Westport Arts Council Presents the 5th Annual Music Festival in Westport Ontario. This year’s festival will be held Saturday August 13, 2011.

With three outdoor stages a The Cove, SOHO’s, and A Victorian Reflection you can enjoy a day full of music with some of the area’s most exciting talent.

Free Adminssion. Make sure you bring and chair and be prepared for rain or shine. If you wish to see “Miss Emily” at the Cove after-hours the cover is $5.00 and starts at 8pm.

For more information visit www.westportartscouncil.ca.