Free Event

The annual Elora Plein Air Festival features selected artists from all over Ontario (and beyond!) who will be painting outdoors throughout Fergus, Elora and surrounding countryside.  Some even paint at night to capture the magic of nocturne views.  There are several events that take place throughout the festival, such as interactive painting opportunities, Quick Paint competitions, walking tours, film music and great food.  The week ends with a show & sale on May 18th in the gallery at the Elora Centre for the Arts.

This is the culmination of the artists' efforts throughout the week, and they will be on hand to share and celebrate the end of the event.  In the gallery, you can view and purchase the beautiful work created, meet the artists and vote for your favourites!  Everyone is welcome.  Admission is free.

Opening Reception: Olivia Mae Sinclair & Alek Bélanger
An Exhibition of Story, Resilience & Renewal
Admission is Free

You’re invited to join us for the opening reception of a compelling new exhibition featuring the works of two incredible artists: Olivia Mae Sinclair and Alek Bélanger.

This dynamic exhibition brings together Sinclair’s richly layered textiles, emotive paintings, and evocative photography with Belanger’s powerful visual reclamation—where poetic affirmations are embedded on pages pulled from gay conversion therapy books, alongside large-scale photographic works that challenge and inspire.

Welcome Back, Summer!
Get ready for warm nights, great music, and community vibes — our free OPEN SKY LIVE Summer Concert Series is back, every other Thursday starting June 12!

The series is presented in partnership with our friends at Tribute Homes, Sorbara Group of Companies and Storybrook Homes.

Starting us off is The Jiggity James Band, live on the MacDonald Pavilion Stage at the Arts Centre! This performance is presented in partnership with SV Law.  

Join us in the gallery as we officially reveal Eileen MacArthur's new exhibition, 'Eden'.  These works invite us to see parts of nature—like flowers and trees—as if they have human qualities. By doing this, we can think about how people relate to each other and the world around them. Nature isn’t shown as separate or alone, but as part of a bigger community. The natural elements become a way to talk not just about individual experiences, but also about the dynamics of groups and how we all connect in society.

Refreshments will be served, admission is free.  Drop in and say hello, mingle and help uplift the arts, and our community of artists!

Join us for Harry Lee Follon live on the MacDonald Pavilion Stage at the Arts Centre! This performance is presented in partnership with Wrighthaven Homes.

You won't want to miss the classic sound and memorable melodies of Harry Lee Follon on the stage!  And who doesn't love a fiddle and pedal steel!?  

Follon's music is inspired by the likes of John Prine and Townes Van Zandt, although he says that he's also inspired by younger artists working in that tradition such as Jeffery Martin and Joe Pug, as well as fellow Canadians Spencer Burton and Zachary Lucky.

Join us for James Gray live on the MacDonald Pavilion Stage at the Arts Centre! This performance is presented in partnership with Granite Homes.

James Gray is a contemporary version of an old-school traveling folk singer. In the past decade, Gray has toured Canada, Europe and Australia, seeing the world and sharing his beloved songs along the way. Galvanized by the idea to speak to the human condition through the creation and delivery of song, Gray draws from his deep love of legendary songwriters such as John Prine, Townes Van Zandt, Gillian Welch, to guide him.

Join us for an engaging and interactive performance by The Vaudevillian — live on the MacDonald Pavilion Stage at the Arts Centre! This performance is presented in partnership with Long & McQuade.

Norah Spades and Jitterbug James make up The Vaudevillian, bringing their high-energy Prohibition-era tunes to our outdoor stage. These two will make you laugh, blush and dance about, drinking mason jars of the moonshine as they play 1930s jugband, ragtime numbers with washboard, musical spoons, resonator guitar, tenor banjo, mandolin, teapot trumpet and mouth harp!  Shine your shoes & get ready to do the Skoodle Um Skoo!  You may even get the chance to play the washboard, thimble or musical spoons during the performance!

Join us for Chris Oday & Wild Bloom live on the MacDonald Pavilion Stage at the Arts Centre! This performance is presented in partnership with Canada's Music Incubator.

Join us for a night of vintage R&B and soul with Chris Oday, followed by fiddle, folk and emotional three-party harmony of Wild Bloom!

You’re Invited: Book Launch Reading, Workshop & Interactive Art Experience!

Join us at the gallery for a special evening on the cross-country book tour launch of two remarkable Canadian authors, Kevin Andrew Heslop and Joanna Cockerline!

The event begins with an immersive creative workshop led by both authors — an inspiring opportunity for writers, artists, and curious minds alike. Following the workshop, enjoy a live reading and discussion as Kevin and Joanna share from their newly published works.

Join us for our final concert of the season featuring Kyle Burton live on the MacDonald Pavilion Stage at the Arts Centre! This performance is presented in partnership with Bigelow Flooring.

Join us for a night of live music that blends folk, country, Americana, and rock!  Kyle Burton crafts emotionally resonant sets that draw inspiration from legends like The Eagles and The Band, as well as modern torchbearers like Tyler Childers, Zach Bryan, The Red Clay Strays, and The Glorious Sons. 

Join us in our newly renovated gallery and atrium to celebrate the opening of Loops, Layers, Shapes & Shadows and meet the four innovative artists behind the exhibition: David Brown, Heejung Shin, Laurie Skantzos and Michael Stecky.

These Toronto and Guelph-based artists explore the dynamic relationship between process, material, and meaning. Through their distinctive approaches, they investigate themes of transformation, rhythm, identity, and cultural heritage—reshaping everyday materials into striking art objects that challenge traditional perceptions of their mediums.

This is your chance to enjoy creative conversations, hear behind-the-scenes stories, and mingle with the community while exploring our newly enhanced gallery spaces. Experience the labour, curiosity, and bold experimentation that brings these works to life.

Admission is free.  Everyone is welcome!

Come join us in the atrium for a hands-on art experience inspired by the gallery exhibition Loops, Layers, Shapes & Shadows!

Try out some of the creative techniques used by featured artists in the show at three interactive DIY stations—each with simple instructions and all the supplies you need to dive in and make art your own. Explore, construct, fold, draw, and reconstruct your way through playful activities designed for all ages and skill levels.

One weekend only!  Saturday Nov. 29 and Sunday Nov. 30 from 10AM - 4PM.

Mark your calendars for our annual OPEN HOUSE!  Our artist studios in the building will be open to the public for you to wander and shop for creative Christmas finds at affordable prices!

35 participating artists  |  3 studios + our artisan shop  |  Hundreds of gift ideas!

Admission is free!